Nature Play Area

At its very best, nature play isn’t scheduled, planned, or led by adults, nor is it confined by grown-ups’ rules. Instead, it’s open-ended, free-time exploration and recreation, without close adult supervision. Plans are underway to develop and construct a Nature Play Area at Tettegouche State Park. Our goal is to provide several areas within the nature play area that actively engages kids with nature and its elements, provides opportunities for physical activity, social and imaginary play. Learn more about Nature Play…

As you’ll see from our current plan, the construction is divided into 3 phases. Due to Covid, construction plans were delayed. But this summer we are doing our best to catch up! We are currently working on Phases 1 and 2, specifically areas A, B, C, D, F & G. Feel free to contact us at info@friendsoftettegouche.org if you have any questions about the project.

Parks & Trails Council Grant Report (Final)

Goals & Objectives

Create a nature play area where children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds play and learn by engaging with and manipulating natural elements, materials, and habitats.

- Include a variety of components to appeal to children ages 2-12
- Incorporate play structures that are engaging and encourage creative play. exploration and self-interpretation
- Integrate the play area into the natural aesthetic of the park

Expand on the existing paths to connect natural play components, such as the stream, stick building areas and climbing obstacles.

Incorporate inherent environmental education and conservation themes into the natural play experience.

Implement new signage that indicates trail/component usage and entrance locations.

Entrance signage may include rules for maintaining safety and encouraging acceptable impact on natural resources.

Explore the Nature Play Area Elements

Below you can explore the elements we plan to provide. The letters above the photo gallery will allow you to filter the images by the area defined on the map. For example, clicking on “A” will show you images/info for area A – Cedar Grove. Hover over the image for a brief description. Click on the magnifying glass to enlarge the image.

All
Phase 1
C
D
Phase 2
A
B
E
F & G
Phase 3
H
I

Natural Stream

Water play is encouraged at the natural stream. There will be tools for you to scoop and pour water and dip nets catch insects or amphibians. You can take a closer look at what you find at the magnifying station placed along the stream.

Magnifying Station

There will be a magnifying station along the natural stream. Use this to take a closer look at things you find in the Nature Play Area. Be sure to gently return any critters to the place where you found them!

Cedar Grove (Quiet Area)

An area for quiet play under in the canopy of the cedar trees. Here you’ll find benches for quiet talk or reflection.

Tic Tac Toe

How about a game of tic tac toe? You’ll find a place for quiet games and play in the Cedar Grove

Climbing Tree

There’s a special group of cedar trees in the nature play area. One of the trees grew along the ground and is the perfect place to perfect your climbing and balancing abilities.

Stick/Fort Building Areas

Who doesn’t love to build a fort? You’ll find two areas in the nature play area where you can build a stick fort.

Messy Materials Area

Here you’ll find a variety of natural materials that you can play with. Build an animal home, make nature art, see how high you can stack wood cookies!

Wheelchair accessible play table/area

You’ll find a wheelchair accessible play table in the messy materials area so everyone can have fun making things and building things with natural materials like wood cookies, sticks, pine cones, and more.

Forest Exploration Path

The forest exploration path is a rustic, meandering trail that will lead you through the nature play area and connect to various play areas.

The forest paths will also serve as a “backbone” for other elements such as stump and plank, sensory and interpretive elements such as bird houses, discovery boards and more.

Boulders for Climbing

Natural rocks and boulders provide a physical challenge for young children and an opportunity for social play. You’ll find this element in the Multi-play Area (C on the map)

Stump Pyramid

The Step Pyramid will provide an opportunity for large muscle, coordination, social and imaginary play using natural materials in a natural setting. You’ll find this element in the Multi-Play Area (C on the map)

Balance log and Steps

The balance log and steps (tree cookies) will provide an opportunity for large muscle, balance, coordination and social play using natural materials in a natural setting.

Natural Brush Hut

Natural bushes will be woven at the top to form an entrance to a natural opening in the middle to create a living brush hut. This element will provide the opportunity for social play and a quiet area. You’ll find this element in the Multi-play area (C on the map).

Garden Looms

Made from living trees and twine, this loom will allow children to weave found nature objects into the weaving. One garden loom will be wheelchair accessible. The other will be lower to the ground so younger children can reach. You’ll find the garden looms in area C (Multi-play area).

Area C Map

Here’s a map of area C showing you the multiple play elements you can find here.

Bamboo Chimes

Music stimulates a child’s curiosity, encouraging them to discover new sounds, new rhythms, wonder how a sound is made, and so much more. One of the instruments in our Art & Music area will be Bamboo Chimes.

Wood Xylophone

Another one of the instruments in our Art & Music area will be a wood xylophone.

Log Drum

A log drum will provide an opportunity to create their own rhythms. This will be found in the Art & Music Area.

Would you like to help us construct the Nature Play Area?

Work dates have been planned for summer 2022.
If you would like to help us in the construction of the nature play area, please fill out the form below. We’ll notify you of upcoming work dates.

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Note: you will be added to the newsletter email list to keep you informed on general progress of the play area. You can unsubscribe from this list at any time.

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Your phone number will not be shared with anyone. It will only be used to contact you about the construction of the nature play area.

Our Work in Progress

Building the play table for Area D

Building the play table for Area D

Andy and Morris building the wheelchair accessible table

Tree Cookie Day

Andy cutting a log into log cookies / pavers

Andy and Morris loading a wagon with dirt for play area C

2 truckloads of dirt were moved to the play area by wheelbarrow and wagon.

Jill raking the dirt in play area C - filling in dips and holes to even out the play area

Play area C after the fill has been added

Play area C is now ready for the play elements!

One of two nature looms constructed for the play area.

Trimming back some of the vegetation where paths and play elements will go.

Path leading to stick building area G. Kids will be able to create a lean-to fort against the leaning cedar tree.

Ann and Lowell constructing one of the nature looms.

We were lucky to have a "quality control agent" on hand to test out some of the features. This is the climbing tree in Area B.

Clearing out a natural fort under the canopy of a spruce tree.

Andy and Lowell staining the play table

Ann and Sue painting the signs

Jill carving another sign and Terry sanding the wood blocks and cookies.

Loading up wheelbarrows with class 5 gravel

11 youth volunteers from Wisconsin joined the Friends volunteers to spread 10 yards of class 5 gravel as a base layer on the wheelchair accessible play area and paths.

10 yards of wood chips donated by VanHouse Construction

Loading the wheelbarrows with wood chips

Youth from First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights helped the Friends distribute the wood chips amongst the play areas and paths.

21 youth from Prince of Peace Lutheran in Gillette Wyoming helped the Friends spread 15 yards of ADA gravel on the wheelchair accessible paths and play area.

Support the Nature Play Area