Community invited to explore Fenner’s newest outdoor learning and play space
LANSING, Mich. — Fenner Conservancy will celebrate the official opening of the Fenner Nature Playscape at Sycamore Creek with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Community members, families, project partners, and supporters are invited to attend the ceremony that will take place at Fenner Nature Preschool.
Designed to look and feel different from a traditional playground, the new nature playscape encourages children to explore and create through open-ended interaction with natural elements and varied terrain. Built with logs, stones, sand, native plants, and other nature-based features, the space was created to support child-led outdoor play and early childhood development.
Although the playscape is located on the grounds of Fenner Nature Preschool at Sycamore Creek, the space remains open to the public. The project was designed not only for preschool students, but for families and community members throughout the Greater Lansing area to enjoy.
Nature-based play spaces provide sensory-rich experiences that encourage children to test their abilities, solve problems, and engage in what educators often call “risky play”, developmentally appropriate challenges that help them build coordination and self-confidence. The Fenner Nature Playscape at Syacmore Creek was made possible through the generous support of the Capital Region Community Foundation, the City of Lansing, and PNC.
The ribbon cutting will take place at Fenner Nature Preschool, located at 1526 E Mount Hope Ave in Lansing. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the new playscape following the ceremony. For more information, visit MyNatureCenter.org.
About Fenner Nature Preschool: Fenner Nature Preschool connects Lansing’s early learners to nature through exploration, play, and discovery. Managed by Fenner Conservancy, the preschool provides innovative, nature-based early childhood education rooted in child-directed learning and meaningful environmental experiences. Fenner Conservancy’s mission is to connect people to nature through conservation, education, and stewardship.
