Over the past several years, the Nature Discovery Center has engaged hundreds of community members and Houston’s leading play architects to help define our vision for a new nature play space: an inviting area where children know they are meant to run, climb, swing and slide, a place where plants are meant to be picked and puddles are meant to be splashed, a place that inspires lifelong love of running creeks, colorful wildflowers, and perfect climbing trees.

We are now launching a $2 million capital campaign to redevelop the southeast corner of our park into the Enchanted Woods, where logs and gardens, tunnels and towers help children discover the magic of nature. More than a neighborhood asset, more than a regional landmark – the Enchanted Woods will be a place that ignites lifelong curiosity, understanding, and respect for nature.

A nature-based adventure playground, with the R. L. Cook Family Treehouse Classroom as its focal point, will replace conventional plastic slides and swings with natural play elements such as hills, tunnels, water, sand, and loose parts stimulating creative, challenging play, and encouraging an emotional bond with nature.

We hope you will join us in supporting a wondrous new place to discover the natural world.

To arrange an Enchanted Woods Nature Play Campaign site visit, please email Colin O’Neal, Development Director.