Connecting with nature is vital for our well-being and understanding of the world around us. That’s why everyone at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is very excited that the Nature Play installation — a four-acre interactive experience that will bring the beauty and wonder of Colorado's diverse ecosystems right to the heart of City Park — is now open.
Opening in September 2024, Nature Play is the result of a collaborative effort between the Museum and Denver Parks & Recreation. This innovative space offers visitors of all ages and abilities the chance to explore, learn and play in a carefully crafted environment that represents Colorado’s diverse ecosystems. Now, you can enjoy the Museum both indoors and outdoors.
Here are some of the key features of Nature Play that we’d love to share with you:
Colorado Ecosystems Come to Life
Kids play in a natural environment complete with native plants and trees. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
Inspired by our popular Explore Colorado dioramas, Nature Play recreates the state's diverse landscapes — from alpine tundra to prairie grasslands — in an urban setting. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of Colorado's wilderness, complete with native plants and trees.
Interactive Play Structures
A child climbs up the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep play structure. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
The centerpiece of the installation is a 20-foot-tall Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep sculpture that doubles as a play structure. This impressive creation not only pays homage to Colorado's state mammal but also provides a unique climbing experience for children and adults alike.
Moving Water Features
Children play near a water feature that moves through a recreated box canyon in Nature Play. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
A restored historic waterway winds through the park, featuring a box canyon with a mountain stream and a climbable beaver dam sculpture. These elements offer both visual appeal and incredible learning opportunities about Colorado's water ecosystems.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Play stations throughout Nature Play can be accessed via a newly created ADA-compliant pathway. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
We’ve designed Nature Play with accessibility in mind. The project has created a new east-west ADA-compliant pathway while adding accessible slides and climbing features with ADA-compliant transfer points. The pathways created through the Nature Play project connect to City Park’s existing pedestrian and biking infrastructure. There are also two new bike racks at the east and west ends of Nature Play that have been built to accommodate cargo e-bikes.
Educational Elements
A young child looks upon embedded animal footprints found in Nature Play's walkway, a detail designed to spark curiosity and facilitate moments of discovery and delight. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
Throughout the park, visitors will find embedded animal footprints, wildlife-carved benches and interpretive signage. These features are designed to spark curiosity and facilitate learning about Colorado's flora and fauna.
Community Involvement
A multigenerational family enjoys quality time on one Nature Play's many wildlife-carved benches. (Photo/ Rick Wicker)
Nature Play is not just a Museum project — it's a community endeavor. We've incorporated feedback from thousands of Denver residents, including children who requested multiple slides throughout the installation. The project also emphasizes sustainability, with the planting of 51 new trees and the preservation of a discovered native bee colony.
"This installation represents a unique opportunity to fortify the bridge between the Museum and nature in City Park," said Jacqueline Altreuter, Director of Strategic Planning & Nature Play Project Lead at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. "It's an incredible way to learn about Colorado's ecosystems and the importance of biodiversity while engaging in respite and play with friends and family."
As we eagerly await the opening of Nature Play, we invite our community to get involved. Whether it's writing a "love letter" to one of our new trees or making a donation to support this groundbreaking project, there are many ways to be part of this exciting journey.
Stay tuned for more updates. Make a donation, here.