view from an elevated walkway, looking down at a playscape

© Mitchell Green

kids and museum staff making flower crowns

© Mitchell Green

a horizontal climbing net is in the foreground in front of an elevated treehouse; lots of people about

© Mitchell Green

young boy climbing on a horizontal cargo net

© Mitchell Green

2 children relax in Adirondack chairs, while a third looks on

© Mitchell Green

Nature Playscape

The Nature Playscape surrounding the Discovery Treehouse has an inclusive and accessible design that welcomes children and families of all ages and abilities to play and learn together. Bounce along the wiggly bridge; sway in the nest swing; scale the climbing net; and explore the woodland nook, rain garden, beaver lodge, and acres of adjoining forest. Natural spaces are full of wonder, possibility and adventure.

Children in Discovery Woods should be adequately supervised by responsible adults at all times. Discovery Woods is an outdoor museum exhibit about nature play and choosing to take “just right” risks. Adult supervision by you helps kids make choices that are right for their age and ability. Some activities might be for “next time” they come.

In this Exhibit

three children sit or stand on a cargo net raised horizontally a few feet off the ground
Cargo Net Climb

Take the shortcut in the hairpin turn of the Adventure Path by climbing across the Cargo Net Climb.

a long log laying on the ground, with two seats carved into it
Log Couch

Take a short break on the Log Couch carved from a large 200 year old white oak tree. 

two boys lay in a swing that is shaped like a round nest
Nest Swing

Climb into a cozy nest swing with a friend or two to swing and watch the sky.

5 children stand and smile inside a hut built out of logs
Beaver Lodges

Pretend you're an animal or peek out of a cozy hideaway made of natural materials. 

several wooden birdhouses on bright green posts
Birdhouse Village

Peek into a birdhouse, who's been there?  See how each bird house is different and designed for specific kinds of birds.

Rain Garden

Stand in the middle of a rain garden and observe nature hard at work throughout the seasons. Pollinators buzz from flower to flower in the summer, berries and seeds in the fall provide food for birds and other animals as the weather gets colder, and the rain garden's water loving plants do the important work of filtering the spring rains before they flow into the conservation land.

Photo © Mitchell Green

a photo of a trail head sign, leading into the woods
Great Hill Conservation Trail Head

Pick up a map and continue your adventures and nature exploration into the 182 acre Great Hill Conservation Area.

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