Shelby Park Nature Play

Shelby Park serves up a great spot for kids to have fun and get dirty!

Shelby Park Nature Play is the perfect spot for the kid who doesn't mind getting dirty and is ready to have an adventure. It's not a traditional playground with slides and swings, rather it’s filled with dirt mounds, a sand pit, communal toys, sticks, logs, a fort, and a forest. It’s located behind the nature center, past the bridge, where the sidewalk splits. It can be tough to find for the first time, but park next to the nature center and then walk over the wooden bridge towards the greenway. On the right, you will see a small fenced-in area filled with kids, trucks, sticks, little mounds, a fort, climbing rocks, a rope web, and more. My son’s favorite activity is to plop in the sandpit and find the best available dozer. In the warm months, there is a water spigot that lets kids both be creative and incredibly muddy. Behind the rope web is a little forest, which kids love to explore. In the winter, you can still see your children playing through the comfort of your seat, but it’s more tucked away due to the foliage in the summer. There are typically plenty of shared toys for the kids to play with, but kids occasionally need help sharing the good bucket or the best truck.  

Bring a change of clothes because your kids are likely to be covered in sand and dirt or be okay with a little muck in your car 😊. Before you get too dirty, try visiting the nature center or explore the Shelby Bottoms Greenway.