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."
The Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio (posted with permission)
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?
Before You Play!
The nature playscapes included in this section are spaces that encourage children (and adults) to play with and interact with natural items. There are many different ways to encourage nature play! While this Directory is maintained to the best of our ability, items in nature playscapes are often changed more frequently than a conventional playground.
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We encourage you to visit the website of each facility we feature to see the most up to date information. If you notice something different about one of the facilities listed, reach out and let us know!
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Armco Park
Warren County Park District
1223 N. St. Rt. 741
Lebanon, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Woodland Trail, Restrooms, Shelters,
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Description: The nature playscape at Armco Park offers climbing ropes and a raised platform in addition to bridges and a tunnel.
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Cox Arboretum MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks
6733 Springboro Pike
Dayton, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Woodland Trail, Restrooms, Water Features, Paved Path
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Description: A large space with many features including a slide, climbing structure, balance logs and loose parts play.
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Englewood MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks
4361 W. National Rd.
Vandalia OH, 45377
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Amenities Nearby: Paved Path, Reservable Shelter, Nearby Parking, Shade, Pit Toilets, Hiking Trails
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Located near Patty Shelter, the Englewood MetroParks Nature Playscape contains all natural elements. Elements include creek access, fort building, hill slide and tunnel, loose parts play, and balancing logs.
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Englewood MetroPark Park Webpage
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Forest Field Park
Centerville-Washington Park District
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2100 E. Centerville Station Rd.
Centerville, OH
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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
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Nature Playscape adjacent to traditional playground equipment. This space includes a willow tunnel, log cabin, balance logs, canoe, and sand play.
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Hills and Dales MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks
2606 Hilton Dr.
Kettering, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Flush Restrooms, Reservable Shelters, Parking, Benches, Traditional Playground, Hiking Trails, Paved Paths
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The Hills and Dales natural play elements include a water spigot, balancing logs, and fort building.
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Hills and Dales MetroPark Webpage
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Learning Tree Farm
3376 S. Union Rd.
Dayton, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Working farm with animals, Historic House, Garden, Hiking Trails, Trash Must Be Carried Out
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Entrance Fees Required: $5 individual; $20 per family
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Elements include: Open space, playhouse, tractor wheels.
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Lost Creek Reserve
Miami County Park District
2385 OH-41
Troy, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Hiking Trails, Working Farm, Historic Buildings and Barns, Parking Lot, Park Admin Office
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Elements include balance beams, loose parts, and fort building.
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Mark Kreusch Nature Playce
Centerville-Washington Park District
6588 McEwen Rd.
Centerville, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Flush Restrooms, .25 Mile Paved Path, Parking Lot, Picnic Plaza,
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CWPD's first Nature Playground. Elements include sand play, synthetic log tunnel, checkers, mulch mound, and fort building.
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Possum Creek MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks
4790 Frytown Rd.
Dayton, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Flush Restrooms, Drinking Fountain, Parking Lot, Live Farm Animals, Education Center
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Elements include a hill, water play, and a dry creek bed.
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Possum Creek MetroPark Webpage
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For a full list of Five Rivers MetroParks Nature Play Spaces and more information on the benefits of nature play, click here.
Russ Nature Reserve
Greene County Parks and Trails
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2380 Kemp Rd.
Beavercreek, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Trash Cans, Flush Restrooms, Drinking Fountain (Seasonal), Parking Lot, Hiking Trails, Apiary, Garden, Bird Blind, Crushed Limestone path leading up to playscape
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Spider Web, Sand Pit, Log Obstacle Course, Log Cabin
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Sugarcreek MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks
4178 Conference Rd.
Bellbrook, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Trash Cans, Paved Path, Pit Toilet, Drinking Fountain, Reservable Shelter, Hiking Trails
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Elements include: sticks for fort building, rocks, log balance beams, and a large fallen tree trunk.
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Wegerzyn Children's Discovery Garden
Five Rivers MetroParks
1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave.
Dayton, OH
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Amenities Nearby: Trash/Recycling, Reservable Shelter, Paved Path, Flush Restrooms, Walking Paths, Formal Gardens, Water Play Area
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A mixture of conventional and nature play elements. These include; water play, sensory gardens, a playhouse, and a pond.
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Stillwater Prairie Reserve
Miami County Park District
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9750 State Route 185
Covington, Ohio 45318
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Amenities Nearby: Hiking paths​
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Fort Building,
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Stillwater Prairie Reserve Webpage