Nature Play at RMA

The Friends are wrapping up a multi-year effort to make the refuge a more welcoming place, including new art that was just installed at the 56th St. pedestrian entrances. 

Next, we are working on the design-build of a Nature Play area behind the VC that would be a multi-generational amenity for residents from local communities and for the students on field trips coming from schools within a 2 mile radius. Our Nature Play area will incorporate elements like climbing structures, STEM-based components, and loose-material play, encouraging children to explore, experiment, and take calculated risks that contribute to their overall growth.

With the exponential growth of urbanization and a rise in indoor, sedentary activities, families are seeking nature-based experiences closer to home. RMANWR offers a prime location to bring this vision to life, expecting 50,000 visitors and more than 3,300 youth from Title I schools annually. The project also addresses the limited recreational options for young children at the Refuge, creating a natural space designed for 4-12-year-olds and making the outdoors accessible to all abilities without dividing based on specific age groups.

Through extensive community engagement, including feedback from local schools, nonprofit partners, and community members, we will ensure the Nature Play design reflects the needs and desires of the area. 

With the high demand for field trips and outdoor programming from schools across the region, RMANWR’s Nature Play will serve as an outdoor learning hub, complementing the Refuge’s environmental education programs. Children in this physically and mentally engaging space will connect deeply with the natural world, forming lasting memories that extend into lifelong values of stewardship and conservation.