Fenner Nature Playscape at Sycamore Creek Accessible to the Public
Address: 1526 E. Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 Please note: The playscape is located at Fenner Nature Preschool, NOT Fenner Nature Center!
About Fenner Nature Playscape
The nature playscape serves as a hub for nature-based learning and play for all, especially children from birth to five, their families, and educators. Built with materials such as logs, boulders, sand, and native plants, it encourages open-ended play, allowing children to climb, dig, balance, and explore at their own pace.
These spaces provide sensory-rich experiences that help children develop confidence and coordination. They also support what educators call “risky play”, moments where children test their abilities, make decisions, and learn from the outcomes in a natural setting.
This project is made possible through the generous support of the Capital Region Community Foundation, the City of Lansing, and PNC Foundation.
Why Nature-based play?
Nature-based play is crucial for child development. Research shows that underserved community members particularly benefit from learner-led activities that emphasize the developmental benefits of play, including physical fitness, coordination, problem-solving, cooperation, and other play-based benefits. Both children and caregivers benefit from engaging in controlled risks in a play environment specifically designed to encourage curiosity and exploration during a developmental phase when emergent learning and play are most beneficial.
The positive impacts clinically shown to be associated with engaging with an outdoor learning environment include improved academic performance, reduction in Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms, and improved social behavior, among others. The project addresses a range of community needs related to physical, mental, and emotional health, as demonstrated by both the research literature and an assessment of local amenities.
