Discovery Forest
A Place to Play, Explore & Connect with Nature
At Lichterman Nature Center, we believe that children develop a lifelong love of nature by experiencing it firsthand. Discovery Forest was created to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections with the natural world through play.
Tucked within the forest at Lichterman Nature Center, Discovery Forest offers a cool, shaded retreat beneath the canopy of mature trees. Surrounded by nature, children and families are invited to slow down, explore, and discover the wonders of the woodland through hands-on experiences and imaginative play.
Guided by our philosophy to “touch and be touched by nature,” Discovery Forest encourages children to explore natural materials with open-ended play and discovery. Every visit offers a new adventure as children build, create, investigate, and collaborate in an environment where nature itself becomes the playground.
Explore the Forest
A fully accessible trail weaves through the forest, connecting a series of themed discovery areas designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and connection with the natural world.
Squirrel Café invites imaginative role-play with gathering tables and a Nature Lab where children can investigate leaves, seeds, sticks, and other treasures collected from the forest.
Frog Grotto transforms a historic stone grotto into an enchanting woodland play space with a stone turret and an adventure path through willow tunnels. It features a hidden frog scavenger hunt, digging areas, and an elevated play table for moving natural materials.
For quieter moments, the Fox Gathering Area provides comfortable seating, a forest library, and spaces for drawing, observing wildlife, and simply enjoying the beauty of the woods.
Together, these experiences encourage children to discover, create, and connect while strengthening friendships and building confidence through self-directed play.
Why Nature Play Matters
Research continues to show that natural play environments provide extraordinary benefits for children’s development.
Unlike traditional playground equipment, Discovery Forest encourages children to invent games, solve problems, work together, and use their imaginations. Climbing over logs and boulders, balancing on uneven terrain, digging, building, and exploring with natural materials all help develop strength, coordination, resilience, and critical thinking.
Nature-rich environments also engage every sense, helping children become more observant, focused, and connected to the world around them. Because there are many ways to participate, children of different ages and abilities can play together in inclusive, cooperative ways.
Beyond supporting healthy child development, Discovery Forest helps foster environmental stewardship by encouraging families to experience, appreciate, and care for the natural systems that surround them.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Located approximately 350 feet from the Loewenberg Visitor Center, the entrance to Discovery Forest provides an easy transition from indoor learning spaces into the natural woodland environment. A fully accessible 450-foot trail weaves through the forest, connecting visitors to a variety of play and discovery areas along the way.
Designed for children of all ages, interests, and abilities, Discovery Forest encourages inclusive exploration by offering many different ways to engage with nature. The accessible pathway allows visitors of all abilities to experience the forest, while thoughtfully designed play areas invite children to connect with nature at their own pace.
The Discovery Forest is fully fenced with two access gates, providing a safe and welcoming environment where children can explore independently, follow their curiosity, and experience the freedom of nature-based play.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Discovery Forest offers new opportunities to learn, play, and create lasting memories together.
Discovery Forest was thoughtfully designed by Learning Landscapes Design, a nationally recognized firm specializing in nature-based play and outdoor learning environments. Their collaborative approach creates places where children, families, and communities can build meaningful connections with nature through play.
