Nature Play in City Park

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Denver Parks & Recreation are breaking ground on the Nature Play & Waterway Restoration Project in City Park! Through the construction of this community-driven design project, the Museum’s award-winning Explore Colorado dioramas found on the 3rd floor of the Museum will be brought to life as an immersive experience designed for accessible, multi-generational, and multi-sensory exploration, respite, and play.

The project will be in construction through late 2024.

Community feedback has led to design concepts that include inclusive, multigenerational, multi-seasonal play, along with opportunities for learning, respite and engagement through authentic, natural, playful experiences for people of all ages and abilities.

In spring 2021, the design team received feedback from more than 800 community members throughout a month-long design and outreach phase. Feedback from this phase informed the creation of key design and play features including climbing, jumping and sliding activities and the prioritization of water in the space.

Local partner, Dope Mom Life created this short documentary highlighting just one of the ways the design team solicited feedback through a hands-on activity catered to people of all ages.