Excuse the mess. This page is under construction.
What is a Nature Playscape?
Unlike traditional playgrounds made of plastic and metal, nature playscapes use natural materials like streams, plants, boulders, logs, earth mounds, and the like to provide a highly creative, interactive play experience – an experience designed to build healthier bodies and minds and grow a future generation of nature lovers.
Thank you to the Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio for this great definition! (Note: permission secured 12-4-2020)
Directory of Nature Playscapes in the Miami Valley
Below is a list of nature playscapes or nature play spots in the area. How many can you visit?
Download our checklist here!
Englewood MetroPark: Vandalia, OH
Address/Location: 4361 W. National Rd., Vandalia, OH 45377 East Park Entrance, Near Patty Shelter
Agency: Five Rivers Metroparks
Hours: Apr. 1-Oct. 31, 8 AM-10 PM; Nov. 1-Mar. 31, 8 AM-8 PM. Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Amenities Nearby: Paved Path, Reservable Shelter, Nearby Parking, Shade, Pit Toilets, Hiking Trails
Englewood MetroPark Website Park Map Park Brochure
Description/Features: Free Access.
Forest Field Park: Centerville, OH
Address/Location: 2100 E. Centerville Station Rd. Along the Purple Trail
Agency: Centerville Washington Park District
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities Nearby: Trash/Recycling Cans, Paved Path, Restrooms/Water Fountain (open April-October with a portable restroom in the off-season), Reservable Shelter, Parking, Benches, Traditional Playground, Walking and Hiking Trails, Tennis Courts, Little Free Library
Forest Field Park Website Bill Yeck/Forest Field Park Brochure
Description/Features: Free Access. Herb Garden boxes, Log Cabin, Obstacle Course, Willow Tunnel
Hills and Dales MetroPark: Kettering, OH
Address/Location: 2606 Hilton Dr., Kettering, OH 45409 Near White Oak Camp
Agency: Five Rivers MetroParks
Hours: Apr. 1-Oct. 31, 8 AM-10 PM; Nov. 1-Mar. 31, 8 AM-8 PM Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Amenities Nearby: Restrooms, Reservable Shelter, Parking, Benches, Traditional Playground, Hiking Trails
Hills and Dales Park Website Park Brochure/Map
Description/Features: Free Access.
Mark Kreusch Nature Playce: Grant Park, Centerville, OH
Address/Location: 6588 McEwen Road, Centerville, OH 45459 Behind the Kennard Nature Nook Building
Agency: Centerville Washington Park District
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities Nearby: Trash/Recycling Cans, Restrooms (access on Deck of Kennard Nature Nook), Benches, Hiking Trails
Grant Park Website Mark Kreusch Nature Playce Webpage Grant Park Map
Features/Description: Free Access. Sandpit, Checker Board, Balance Beams, Fort Building, Log Cabin, Tunnel
Learning Tree Farm: Dayton OH
Address/Location: 3376 S Union Rd, Dayton, OH 45417
Agency: Learning Tree Farm
Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sunday 12:30 pm -4:00 pm
Amenities Nearby: Trash must be carried out, Working Farm with live animals, Garden, Hiking Trails, Historic House
Features/Description: Admission $5 individual/$ 20.00 per Family.
Lost Creek Reserve: Troy, OH
Address/Location: 2385 OH-41, Troy, OH 45373
Agency: Miami County Park District
Hours: 8:00 am-Sunset
Amenities Nearby: Hiking Trails, Working Farm, Historic Buildings and Barns, Parking Lot, Park Admin Office
Lost Creek Reserve Website Park Map/Brochure
Features/Description: Free Access.
Possum Creek MetroPark: Dayton, OH
Address/Location: 4790 Frytown Rd., Dayton, OH 45417 At Possum Creek Farm next to the Education Building
Agency: Five Rivers MetroParks
Hours: Apr. 1-Oct. 31, 8 AM-10 PM; Nov. 1-Mar. 31, 8 AM-8 PM Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Amenities Nearby: Flush Restrooms, Drinking Fountain, Parking Lot, Live Farm Animals, Education Center
Possum Creek MetroPark Webpage Park Map/Brochure
Features/Description: Free Access.
Russ Nature Reserve: Beavercreek, OH
Address/Location: 2380 Kemp Road, Beavercreek, OH 45431
Agency: Greene County Park and Trails
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Amenities Nearby: Trash Cans, Flush Restrooms, Drinking Fountain (Seasonal), Parking Lot, Hiking Trails, Apiary, Garden, Bird Blind, Crushed Limestone path leading up to playscape,
Features/Description: Free Access. Spider Web, Sand Pit, Log Obstacle Course, Log Cabin
Sugarcreek MetroPark: Bellbrook, OH
Address/Location: 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook, OH 45305 Conference Rd. Entrance down a paved path
Agency: Five Rivers MetroParks
Hours: Apr. 1-Oct. 31, 8 AM-10 PM; Nov. 1-Mar. 31, 8 AM-8 PM Closed Christmas and New Years Day.
Amenities Nearby: Trash Cans, Paved Path, Pit Toilet, Drinking Fountain, Reservable Shelter, Hiking Trails
Sugarcreek MetroPark Website Sugarcreek Map/Brochure
Description/Features: Free Access.
Children’s Discovery Garden: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Dayton, OH
Address/Location: 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414
Agency: Five Rivers MetroParks
Hours: March 1- March 31: 10 AM – 8 PM; April 1 – Oct. 31:10 AM – 10 PM; Nov. 1 – Dec. 31: 10 AM – 8 PM: Check Website for water play area closures
Amenities: Trash/Recycling, Reservable Shelter, Paved Path, Flush Restrooms, Walking Paths, Formal Gardens, Water Play Area
Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark Website Wegerzyn Gardens Map/Brochure
Description/Features: Free Access. A mixture of conventional and nature play elements. Water Playspace, Sensory garden, Playhouse, Pond
Armco Park, Lebanon OH
Address/Location: 1223 N. State Rt. 741, Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Agency: Warren County Park District
Hours: APR 1 – AUG 3, 17:00 AM – Dusk – (Time Varies – please check posted time at the park entrance); SEPT 1 – MAR 3, 18:00 AM – Dusk – (Time Varies – please check posted time at the park entrance)
Amenities:
Armco Park Webpage Armco Park Map
Description/Features: Free Access.
Do you have a Playscape with public access in the Miami Valley? We would love to include it in our list. See below for contact information.
The MVLNCI collaborative engages and empowers our community to make time and create access for outdoor exploration, play, and learning.
Contact us at miamivalleylnci@gmail.com
