Nature Play at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
With support from the Metro Denver Nature Alliance’s 2025 Demonstration Project Grant, Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges is developing Nature Play at Rockey Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, a new play and learning space at the refuge designed to help youth connect with nature, build outdoor skills, and support mental and social well-being.
The project will create an accessible nature play area between their pollinator garden and an exhibit for endangered black-footed ferrets, offering children and families a unique place to experience the beauty and diversity of local wildlife.
Creating Access to Outdoor Play and Learning
Many of the refuge’s youth visitors come from communities with limited access to outdoor spaces. The Nature Play project addresses this by providing a safe and engaging environment where children, older adults, and people of all abilities can spend meaningful time outdoors, especially during the summer months.
The play area is designed not only for recreation but also for education and stewardship, encouraging young visitors to develop a lasting connection to the land and an understanding of its ecological importance.
Collaboration for Conservation and Community
This project reflects a strong spirit of collaboration, bringing together nonprofits, local partners, and federal agencies to ensure the play space reflects community input and values. As development pressures and climate stressors grow around the refuge, connecting nearby residents to nature is more vital than ever. By linking play, learning, and stewardship, Nature Play at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge helps foster the next generation of environmental caretakers while improving equitable access to nature for all.