Nature Play at RMA
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Friends of the Front Range Wildlife RefugesHelp us reach our individual donor goal for a Nature Play area at RMANWR for neighboring youth!
$735
raised by 3 people
$15,000 goal
6 months left
Community Engagement is Underway!
Youth voting on Nature Play features
Hello Friends!
Our summer has started off energetically in the community! On June 12, 2025, Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges (FFRWR) participated in the Music in the Park event, which took place at Commerce City Veterans Memorial Park. FFRWR had a booth, which was primarily intended to introduce the public to FFRWR's activities and the most important current project at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (RMANWR) - the upcoming Nature Play children's playground. It is currently planned that the playground, which will be inclusive for all children, is in the design phase with construction beginning in Spring of 2026. FFRWR is actively working to involve children and their parents in the creation of Nature Play and to build a playground inspired by their rich imagination.
During the Music in the Park tabling, children were invited to build their own playground from wooden blocks, as well as vote for their favorite Nature Play features. The children were happy to participate in this activity, and they enthusiastically placed their votes in the ballot box. We want to give children a sense of influence in the creation and planning of a Nature Play recreation space; their imagination and well-being are the most important guidelines for FFRWR in this project.
Given the great reception from the children, FFRWR representatives participated in another event on June 17th, which took place at Adams City High School. As part of it, the children at the school were invited to share their opinions about Nature Play, vote for their favorite natural play features, and create their own drawings. FFRWR is grateful to all the children and their parents for the openness, energetic participation, and joy they bring to us to help create the most suitable playground for RMANWR.
The next Music in the Park event in which FFRWR will also participate, is on July 24 at Pioneer Park, Commerce City. We would be happy if you could come support us, talk and exchange ideas, vote on Nature Play features, or simply say hello and enjoy the event in an atmosphere of music and community vibes. See you soon!
The Friends are wrapping up a multi-year effort to make the refuge a more welcoming place, including new art that was just installed at the 56th St. pedestrian entrances.
Next, we are working on the design-build of a Nature Play area behind the VC that would be a multi-generational amenity for residents from local communities and for the students on field trips coming from schools within a 2 mile radius. Our Nature Play area will incorporate elements like climbing structures, STEM-based components, and loose-material play, encouraging children to explore, experiment, and take calculated risks that contribute to their overall growth.
With the exponential growth of urbanization and a rise in indoor, sedentary activities, families are seeking nature-based experiences closer to home. RMANWR offers a prime location to bring this vision to life, expecting 50,000 visitors and more than 3,300 youth from Title I schools annually. The project also addresses the limited recreational options for young children at the Refuge, creating a natural space designed for 4-12-year-olds and making the outdoors accessible to all abilities without dividing based on specific age groups.
Through extensive community engagement, including feedback from local schools, nonprofit partners, and community members, we will ensure the Nature Play design reflects the needs and desires of the area.
With the high demand for field trips and outdoor programming from schools across the region, RMANWR’s Nature Play will serve as an outdoor learning hub, complementing the Refuge’s environmental education programs. Children in this physically and mentally engaging space will connect deeply with the natural world, forming lasting memories that extend into lifelong values of stewardship and conservation.
Sign up for updates here: https://ffrwr.org/nature-play/