Capital Giving
CNC's Current Capital Giving Opportunity
Cincinnati Nature Center has begun the process for designing a nature playscape for Greater Cincinnati children to play uninhibited in nature and to reap the benefits of outdoor play. Through this project, we aim to create a regional model for healthy child development and demonstrate how to effectively use the outdoors to strengthen a child’s mind, body and spirit.
Learn more about the features of CNC's playscape.
 |
|
Click on the image for a larger view of the proposed playscape site map.
|
Why build a natural playscape?
“Research indicates that unstructured play in nature increases self-esteem, creativity, motor skills, fitness, and even academic performance. It also seems to relieve symptoms of ADHD.”
-Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods
Read a synopsis of Last Child in the Woods (PDF) Jackie Green Publication Relations.
Read a synopsis of Last Child in the Woods (PDF) by Betsy Townsend.
The Vision
 |
| Future site of CNC's Natural Playscape |
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Natural Playscape will:
- Reflect the local landscape and climate
- Be dominated by natural elements
- Invite open-ended interactions
- Stimulate the senses
- Promote a sense of play and wonder for children and adults
- Contain multiple habitats
How do natural playscapes differ from playgrounds?
- The features are designed for open-ended creative play rather than predetermined, specific uses.
- Nature is the focus, not human-made elements.
- Plants, soil, and water are integrated and available to be touched and manipulated, not just observed.
Our partners
CNC is partnering with the University of Cincinnati's Arlitt Child & Family Research & Education Center to implement the Cincinnati Natural Playscape Initiative. The collaborative is funded by a grant from the Harriette R. Williams Downey Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The grant will fund the design and initial construction of a playscape at each facility as well as research to discover the true impact of natural playscapes on child development.
CNC is also in formal partnership to implement the PNC Grow Up Great with Science grant ($340,000 over two years) with Child Focus, Inc., and the Arlitt Child & Family Research & Education Center. This grant is designed to educate Head Start teachers and parents on how to use the outdoors at CNC and in their own lives, to teach natural sciences.
More Information on Natural Playscapes
