Playing
Naturally
Let's create vibrant spaces for nature-based play!
Playing
Naturally
Let's create vibrant spaces for nature-based play!
A Natural Fit
At Riveredge Nature Center, we know time spent outdoors improves mental and physical well-being. It reduces stress levels and improves coordination. Kids need to move and they need the opportunity to get outside!
That's why we believe so strongly in nature-based play. Natural playspaces provide research-proven health, fitness, academic, and beneficial play outcomes. Time and again, children have shown a preference for nature-based elements, particularly when adjacent to traditional (read: boring!) playground structures. By incorporating a diversity of natural materials that can be manipulated, explored, and modified, natural play areas inspire children’s imaginations and creativity, provide small motor skill development, and lead to a wealth of health and happiness benefits.
As a leader in the natural play movement for 50 years, Riveredge has seen these benefits firsthand. That's why we're incredibly excited to launch a new Playing Naturally Initiative, offering our assistance in creating simple and cost-effective, yet proven, nature-based play areas as a way to help re-engage our neighboring communities with the natural world. Our professional education and land management staff look forward to working with you to create a nature-based play area that meets your needs and desires!
The Benefits
Think back to your favorite memories of childhood play. Chances are the scenes in your head don't take place on a stale plastic jungle gym. That's why we want to help you recreate the backyard play spaces of yesteryear - fallen logs, mud pits and foxholes - sandboxes, ponds, and trails through the brush – places to catch frogs, chase butterflies, and play king of the mountain – places to swing on a tire, roll down a hill, and cross a creek on a log. As research now makes clear, these settings and experiences are the ones that stand out to us precisely because they are the ones with the most benefit to our health and happiness. Here's a small sampling of those natural play benefits the research has found:

What We Offer
Sold? We can work with you every step of the way to help make these benefits a reality at your own school, park, or organization.

Nature Play Presentations

User Centered Conceptual Playspace Designs

On-Site Facilitation And Follow Up
What Makes Us?
- An entry level approach to creating a natural playspace. As a nonprofit, we know a thing or two about tight budgets and capacity. We are here to help you take the first steps toward naturalizing a new or existing playspace with no huge commitment required.
- A client-centered approach to developing a space that meets your needs, and your desired outcomes. We're here to listen!
- A design that fits your site, not a cookie cutter arrangement of parts.
- Hands-on facilitation of volunteers to install the natural playspace, helping build engagement among your staff, families, and stakeholders. Even better? It significantly reduces your build costs. Riveredge was created largely out of volunteer power; let us help you harness that power!
- Wisconsin-based natural materials to help the children you serve develop a sense of place in their playspace.
- 50 years of experience connecting children with the natural world. Our own natural playground is a model for the region, and we've become a go-to resource for other educational organizations looking to develop their own. We'd love to share more about these projects and our experience!

What
Clients
Say
Our favorite part of the process? Hearing how these new natural playspaces are opening up imagination and adventure for the children they're built for.
Meet The Team

Phyllis McKenzie

Sunny Knutson
READY TO MAKE SOME MAGIC?
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DREAMS
Because we believe so strongly in working with you to design a unique project that fits your specific needs and goals, costs can ultimately vary based on those unique factors as well. If you're interested in learning more about our work and receiving a quote for your space, we'd love to work with you to schedule a free consultation for us both to learn more about each other!
Our designer, Phyllis McKenzie, is always excited to answer any questions you might have and can be reached at 262-375-2715, at pmckenzie@riveredge.us, or through the handy contact form right here on the page. We hope to be able to work together to make your kids healthier and happier!