11/29/25 LAKEFRONT TRAIL ALERT: The lakefront trail is closed from Oak St. to Ohio St., as is the underpass at Chicago Ave., due to weather conditions. See the Lakefront Trail map here.
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The Chicago Park District is helping to reconnect children with nature in our city and the heritage of our parks by providing valuable outdoor space for communities in Chicago to have positive, hands-on experiences in nature. Spontaneous, self-guided nature play by children has a beneficial impact on their health, attention and stress levels.
Nature Play Spaces are designed for play with elements of nature that can be manipulated and moved. Each space is a collaborative community effort, unique to the ecology of the site and the needs of the residents of each neighborhood. Designing, planting, building, and caring for a Nature Play Space is an ongoing creative project that can be a rewarding multi-generational effort.
See below for more information, or contact us at natureplay@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Nature Play Spaces
15 Facilities
Starting a New Nature Play Space
You may find it helpful to read through Reference Manual before beginning. In order to form a new Nature Play Space with the Chicago Park District, the following documents are required:
- Nature Play Space Reference Manual
- Nature Play Space Checklist
- New Play Space Location Request
- New Play Space Petition Form
- Site Usage and Survey Form
- Nature Play Letter of Commitment
- Nature Play Volunteer Waiver