Nature Play
Engaging Urban Youth through the Power of Nature
Brother Yusuf, C&NN
A concerned youth professional and board member of the Children and Nature Network (USA), Brother Yusuf is using the power of nature to transform urban youth. For more than 20 years, Brother Yusuf has provided many Albany and Brooklyn teens with their first opportunity to experience nearby wilderness areas. Part naturalist, part counsellor, part community organiser, part surrogate father, he has helped send hundreds of kids – most from low-income, single-parent, inner-city homes – hiking across the high peaks of the Adirondacks, sailing on the Hudson River, skiing and snowboarding down the Catskills, and rafting on the Ausable River.
Find out what works and what doesn’t so you too can use nature to make a difference to the lives of youths in your community.
Creating Nature-Based Environments in Public Landscapes
Lesley Hammersley, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
In public landscapes, creating adventure play opportunities in naturalistic environments requires careful planning to deliver safe and durable facilities as well as unique and memorable experiences for visitors. This talk will explore some of the many factors to be considered when developing a nature-based environment without relying upon pre-fabricated play equipment, using play areas in Kings Park as case studies.
Creating a Community Garden
Amy Rayner, Town of Cambridge
A thriving organic garden in West Leederville is providing the opportunity for residents to meet new people, grow fresh food in a pesticide and herbicide free environment and be part of an exciting community project. Find out how the community got the project going, the role of the council in approving the community garden and outcomes and progress to date.
Park Watch
Kim Buttfield, WA Country Health Service
The local park used to be a place to play, a meeting place and a social place for the local community. The Park Watch pilot program aimed to increase children’s physical activity in the two hour window after school, create a safe after-school local play environment and encourage a greater sense of local community.
Many parents were concerned about allowing their children to travel to the park and play without adult supervision due to safety concerns. Park Watch overcame some of these parental fears and perceptions and created a more supportive environment for everyone. This presentation will share the challenges, surprises and wins in setting up an innovative and sustainable community driven physical activity project.
The Child’s Voice in Creating a Wild Space
Gillian McAuliffe, Bold Park Community School
Five and six year olds at the Bold Park Community School have worked with staff to design a ‘Wild Space’ in a small and secluded part of the playground. Staff consulted with the children to establish how they regarded play: what it was they loved to do and that they believed a ‘Wild Space’ is. As a result, a neglected area is being transformed into an interactive natural playground which will evolve and grow over time.
Concerns of safety and risk are addressed through Benefit Risk Assessments and Hazard Risk Assessments which are undertaken by staff and children thus engaging the children in processes which teach them how to play safely and consider risks before they encounter them.
