Irvine Nature Center - Nature Play Space
Located next to the Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills, MD, the nature play
space was constructed with a combination of volunteer time, grants and staff
input. The initial design of the nature play space was done by the Nature
Explorer program of the Arbor Day Foundation. The site serves as an inviting
area to play, explore and learn for visitors to the nature center, school groups
on field trips and as an outdoor classroom and play area for an on-site nursery
school.
The site grew out of an area that included one downed tree and a few natural features that naturally attracted kids and visitors to climb, play and explore. From that idea, the idea of creating a larger more deliberate play area grew to include such areas as a recycled art area, a sand and dirt digging area, tree logs for climbing, a musical area and a stage for programming and creative play.
