In 2024, the community came together in an extraordinary way to revitalize a beloved part of Shelby Bottoms—and the results are now open for play! 

Nature Play Has Grown—Thanks to You!

Thanks to generous donors, volunteers, and supporters during our Great Shelby Giveback campaign, over $150,000 was raised to enhance and expand Shelby Bottoms Nature Play. Today, that vision has come to life with a reimagined nature play space that reflects the wonder of the park and the creativity of the kids who use it. 

Since its creation in 2012, Nature Play has been a favorite destination for unstructured, imaginative outdoor play. But growing demand and years of joyful use made it clear: the space needed an upgrade. The 2024 campaign aimed to meet that need—and you delivered. 

Expanded play areas to serve more families and accommodate a wider range of play experiences. 

• Natural and sustainable materials that reflect the unique ecology of Shelby Bottoms. 

• Designated zones for different age groups, including wooded areas for adventurous, independent play. 

• Interactive, open-ended play elements that spark creativity, collaboration, and exploration. 

• A new shade pavilion, connecting Nature Play to the Nature Center’s events lawn—perfect for programming and community gatherings. 

• New trees, offering shade and improving stormwater management. 

Why Nature Play Matters

Research shows that children who engage regularly in nature play: 

• Develop stronger motor skills and coordination 

• Exhibit lower stress and anxiety levels 

• Show increased focus and attention spans 

• Cultivate a lasting sense of environmental stewardship 

We believe every child deserves access to this kind of experience—right in their own city. That’s why the expansion of Shelby Bottoms Nature Play isn’t just a park improvement; it’s an investment in healthier, happier, more connected children and communities. 

Whether it’s their first time climbing a log, inventing a new game in the woods, or simply lying in the grass watching the clouds, Nature Play gives children the space and permission to be fully present—and fully themselves. 

In a world where children's lives are increasingly structured and screen-based, unstructured play in nature is more important than ever. Nature play offers something profoundly simple and powerful: the freedom for children to explore, imagine, and engage with the world on their own terms. 

At Shelby Bottoms Nature Play, kids climb, dig, build, balance, and discover—with no predetermined rules or outcomes. This kind of open-ended play fuels creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. It supports emotional and social development, helping children build confidence, independence, and empathy. 

And it all happens outdoors, surrounded by the living landscape of Shelby Bottoms—where kids connect not just with each other, but with the rhythms, beauty, and challenges of the natural world.