September 17, 2010
1pm - 4pm
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL

There is good evidence that most outdoor experiences in the United States begin at local neighborhood parks. For families with children under six, a playground can be an especially popular amenity. But despite often constituting the greenest spaces in a neighborhood, playgrounds seldom promote natural sensory experiences, unstructured outdoor play, or imaginative uses of physical landscape features.

This Chicago Wilderness workshop provides park district and local government officials -- and other staff and decision-makers who impact the kinds of experiences offered at playgrounds -- the opportunity to:

• Learn why outdoor unstructured play is critical to children's healthy development;
• Understand the key steps and issues in planning and designing nature play-oriented playgrounds;
• Tour a model outdoor space promoting nature discovery and play;
• Evaluate the benefits and costs of creating small- and large-scale nature play areas.

The workshop is hosted and coordinated by the Morton Arboretum. Other presenters and panelists include staff and volunteers from Kohl Children's Museum, Hitchcock Design Group, and the Betty McLaughlin Memorial Butterfly Garden at the Vehe Farm.

Call 630-719-2468 to register. Advance registration costs $10; walk-in registration costs $12.

For questions and comments about the workshop, please contact Angelique Dunning at 630-719-2462.