The “Nature Nook”
Transforming a woodland setting into an engaging destination that introduces children and families to the natural world through hands-on play.The “Nature Nook” at the Boston Nature Center was designed to introduce urban children and families to the natural world through play. Located within the Massachusetts Audubon Society's urban sanctuary in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood, the project creates opportunities for city-based families to explore nature in a welcoming, accessible setting. Developed in response to the Center's observation that many children—and even their parents—were apprehensive about the outdoors, the Nature Nook encourages visitors to move from biophobic to biophilic through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Client
Boston Nature Center
Location
Mattapan, Massachusetts
Services
Landscape Architecture, Site Design, and Planting Design
Size
14,000 sq ft
Nature-based PlayThe “Nature Nook” was designed to introduce urban children and families to the natural world through immersive, open-ended play. Located within the Boston Nature Center, the landscape features a dry stream bed, natural building area, sand play, play hill, climbing logs, woodland boardwalk, stage, and gardening area—all thoughtfully integrated into the existing woodland setting. Native, drought-tolerant plantings were carefully selected for both durability and play value, while natural loose materials encourage creativity, exploration, and hands-on discovery. An accessible looping pathway connects each play experience, creating an inclusive environment that fosters a lifelong connection to nature.
“The kids look at us like, 'Can I climb this tree?' And we're just there cheering them on. So they definitely get to be a kid and get to explore.”
Chelsea Guiterrez, Former Preschool Teacher at the Boston Nature Center
Community Impact & Outdoor LearningDesigned as an introduction to nature for families living in Boston's densely populated Mattapan neighborhood, the “Nature Nook” serves children of all ages as the daily outdoor classroom for the Center's nature-based preschool, a destination for school field trips, summer camps, and community visitors. Recognized as one of 30 national projects endorsed by the National Forum on Children and Nature, the project demonstrates how thoughtfully designed outdoor environments can connect urban communities with the natural world through play and environmental education.
