The Nature PlayScape

Stories shared from the perspective of our staff, volunteers, and community.

The Nature PlayScape is like a playground, but with natural materials that have been in a landscape specially created for children. It is an escape from structured or adult-directed activities—a place to play, naturally!

Where natural features are designed for open-ended creative play. Plants, soil, and water can be touched and manipulated, not just observed, to stimulate the senses and promote a sense of wonder. Picnic on the grass or relax on a bench while your children play.

Play, Touch, Build, Create!

The Nature PlayScape is located on 1.6 acres of forest, field, stream, and wetland habitat within Rowe Woods. It is a short walk from Rowe Visitor Center and is adjacent to restroom facilities with an outdoor rinse-off shower and parking lot.

The Nature PlayScape is intentionally designed—primarily for ages 12 and under with adult supervision—to provide children with opportunities for unstructured play in a resilient version of local natural habitats. Native plants, fallen logs, boulders, rocks, water, and soil create forest and field habitats for children to explore. This environment contains very few man-made structures (swings, slides, etc.), and strives to re-create the kind of childhood experience many parents and grandparents had in nature when they were young.

‍This is an environment where families can interact with nature together. Parents are solely responsible for their children at all times.

‍Dogs are not allowed in the Nature PlayScape.

Notice: Visitors enter and participate in activities at Cincinnati Nature Center at their own risk.

Daily Admission

Daily admission is FREE with membership! Not a member? Come check us out for a day!

Adults: $12
Seniors 65+/Active Military: $10
Children 4–12 years old: $8
Children 3 years old and younger: FREE
Pets: $5 each

Did you know that you can use your daily admission fee toward the cost of a membership? Purchase a membership within 14 days of your visit, and the TOTAL price may be applied (up to the price of membership).

Purchase Admission

Location & Parking

Tealtown Road, Milford, Ohio 45150
Click Here for Directions

Parking at Rowe Woods is FREE!
We encourage all visitors to park in any one of our parking lots—each with access to popular trails, features, or facilities. Both the Rowe Visitor Center, Krippendorf Lodge, and Nature PlayScape parking lots have designated ADA parking spaces.

If you need special assistance, please contact Visitor Services at cnc@cincynature.org or call (513) 831-1711.

Restroom

Visitor restroom facilities are located behind Krehbiel Pavilion—just across from the Nature PlayScape and adjacent parking lot. This restroom also offers a shower station that is available to use after play sessions in the Mud Zone.

Nature Play for All Ages

When visiting the Nature PlayScape with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, you'll find a special area created just for them.

The early childhood area has materials and digging pits sized for the smallest visitors and is enclosed for easy adult supervision. This space has digging pits, tree stumps, and a bird blind. The natural playthings provided by the surrounding woods will also add to your child's play.

Need Assistance?

Please stop by Rowe Visitor Center to connect with our Visitor Services team, or call (513) 831-1711, to learn about our programs, building spaces, or trails. We would love to discuss your needs and provide accommodations and suggestions for a fantastic visit!