Come and Play! Public Design Session for New Nature Play Space at Senn Playground on Saturday, October 21

Do you know any children who like to play with sticks? Or dig in the dirt? Chase a butterfly or observe a busy ant colony? A nature play space is the perfect setting for many different kinds of valuable outdoor play activities. Research shows that spontaneous, self-guided nature play has a beneficial impact on children’s health, attention and stress levels. 

We are excited to announce that a Nature Play Space is coming to Senn Park! The Chicago Park District’s nature play team will partner with our Senn Park community to design a space that will support positive, hands-on experiences in nature.

Nature Play Spaces are designed for play with elements of nature that can be manipulated and moved such as sticks, leaves, acorns, and other “loose parts.” Each space is a collaborative community effort, unique to the ecology of the site and the needs of the residents of each neighborhood. Designing, planting, building, and caring for a Nature Play Space is an ongoing creative project that can be a rewarding multi-generational effort.

Join us for the first public design session where kids of all ages will work with the Chicago Park District’s nature play specialists to help choose the elements for our new play space! Children will be invited to explore materials and share their own creative ideas for a fun play area. The session will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Senn Playground, 1501 W. Elmdale Ave. in Edgewater.

For more information, please contact Kate Brenner, Families Together Cooperative Nursery School, at businessmanager@ftcns.org or 773-381-5200.