Enchanted Woods Nature Play Campaign

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 Treehouse Terrace outdoor 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.

Giving & Naming Opportunities

Plant your legacy for Houston’s children in the Enchanted Woods Nature Play Area at the Nature Discovery Center!

Note: The existence of specific structures and features is subject to the final project design. A donation or pledge within a category (e.g. Red Oaks) will be entitled to donor recognition on a structure of donor’s choosing subject to availability. Following final project design, rights to dedication of specific structures will be assigned based on a) contribution amount and b) date of contribution or pledge. All donor recognition is subject to NDC terms and policies.

Our Generous Donors

Red Oak

The Brown Foundation, Inc.
Robert L. Cook Foundation
The Cullen Foundation
The Elkins Foundation
Debbie & Chris Patton

Loblolly Pine

Patrons for Bellaire Parks
The Wortham Foundation

Caddo Pecan

The Normal Barnes Estate
Betsy & David Black
Kristen & David Buck
Sherri Chilivetis
Meghan & Ken Lutschg
Shelley Starr

Bald Cypress

Jaclyn & John Vivrett

Yaupon Holly

 

We're on our way to bringing the Enchanted Woods to life!

With gifts received to date we are at 50%