How to Explore the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape

Located in the heart of South Bend, Indiana, LaFortune Park Nature Playscape is more than just a playground—it’s a living classroom, a sanctuary for imaginative play, and a gateway to environmental stewardship. Designed with deep respect for natural ecosystems and child development principles, this innovative space invites families, educators, and nature enthusiasts to engage with the outdoors in meaningful, unstructured ways. Unlike traditional playgrounds dominated by metal slides and plastic structures, the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape integrates native plants, water features, logs, boulders, sand, and open meadows to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and physical development through direct interaction with the natural world.

Exploring the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape isn’t about checking off attractions—it’s about slowing down, observing, and participating. Whether you’re a parent seeking screen-free activities for your children, a teacher planning an outdoor lesson, or a local resident looking to reconnect with nature, this guide will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to make the most of your visit. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll walk you through every step of exploration, from preparation to reflection, and share best practices, real-life examples, and essential resources to deepen your experience.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Visit with Purpose

Before arriving at LaFortune Park, take time to consider your goals. Are you visiting for physical activity? Nature observation? Creative play? Educational enrichment? Your intent will shape how you interact with the space. Start by checking the official park website or local recreation department for seasonal hours, weather advisories, and any scheduled events. Weekday mornings often offer quieter access, ideal for families with young children or educators leading small groups.

Consider the time of year. Spring brings wildflowers and emerging wildlife; summer offers lush greenery and water play opportunities; fall showcases vibrant foliage and crunchy leaf piles perfect for sensory exploration; winter transforms the playscape into a quiet, snowy wonderland for tracking animal prints and ice formations. Each season reveals a different facet of the ecosystem.

2. Pack Appropriately for Natural Play

Forget the typical playground checklist—no helmets or safety vests are needed here. Instead, focus on clothing and gear that supports exploration and resilience. Dress in layers made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabrics. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential, especially when navigating muddy paths or rocky terrain. Bring extra socks and a small towel in case of wet feet.

Include a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. A small backpack with a few simple tools can elevate the experience: a magnifying glass, a field guide to local plants and insects, a notebook and pencil, and a cloth bag for collecting natural treasures (always leave them behind unless permitted). Avoid plastic toys—natural materials like sticks, stones, and pinecones offer richer sensory and imaginative play opportunities.

3. Enter with a Sense of Discovery

Upon entering the playscape, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath. Listen. Notice the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a bird, the patter of water over stone. This is not a destination to rush through—it’s a landscape to inhabit. Begin by walking the perimeter to orient yourself. Look for signage that identifies native plant species, wildlife habitats, and interactive zones.

The playscape is divided into thematic areas: the Water Play Zone, the Forest Climb, the Sand and Soil Garden, the Whispering Woods, and the Open Meadow. Don’t feel pressured to visit them all at once. Let curiosity guide you. If your child is drawn to the creek, linger there. If you’re fascinated by the log balance beams, spend time experimenting with different ways to cross them. There is no wrong path.

4. Engage with the Water Play Zone

One of the most distinctive features of LaFortune Park is its naturalistic water system. A gently flowing channel, fed by rainwater runoff and underground springs, winds through the area, allowing children to dam, divert, and explore flow dynamics using stones, sticks, and hollowed-out logs. This is not a splash pad—it’s a hydrological classroom.

Encourage observation: “What happens when you pile stones across the stream?” “Where does the water go when it rains?” “Why do some areas have more moss than others?” Use this zone to discuss erosion, sedimentation, and the water cycle. Bring small containers to collect water samples (return them afterward) and observe tiny aquatic life like tadpoles or water striders. Always supervise closely—while the water is shallow, natural environments demand respect and awareness.

5. Explore the Forest Climb and Natural Structures

Instead of fixed climbing structures, the Forest Climb area features fallen logs, boulders, and native shrubs arranged to encourage balance, coordination, and risk assessment. These elements are intentionally irregular—no two surfaces are the same. This variability challenges motor skills in ways that standardized equipment cannot.

Invite children to find their own way up and down. Resist the urge to direct or correct their movements. Instead, ask open-ended questions: “How did you decide where to place your foot?” “What did your body feel when you shifted your weight?” This builds confidence and spatial awareness. Adults can join in—climbing over logs side by side fosters connection and models adventurous behavior.

6. Interact with the Sand and Soil Garden

This area is a tactile paradise. Unlike sterile sandbox environments, the Sand and Soil Garden blends fine sand with compost-rich earth, crushed shells, and small pebbles. It’s a living medium where worms, beetles, and fungi thrive. Digging here isn’t just play—it’s ecological discovery.

Bring small shovels, cups, and molds. Create channels, build forts, or bury “fossils” (smooth stones or shells) for others to find. Talk about soil composition: “Why is this part darker?” “What do you think lives beneath the surface?” This is an ideal spot to introduce composting, decomposition, and the role of insects in nutrient cycling. Encourage gentle handling of living organisms and respectful observation.

7. Wander the Whispering Woods

Named for the soft rustling of leaves and the way sound seems to bend among the trees, the Whispering Woods is a labyrinth of native understory vegetation—dogwoods, spicebush, ferns, and wild ginger. This area is designed for quiet exploration. The path is narrow, encouraging single-file movement and heightened awareness.

Play a game of “Find Five Senses”: What do you see? (e.g., a spiderweb glistening with dew) What do you hear? (e.g., the tap of a woodpecker) What do you smell? (e.g., crushed mint or damp bark) What do you touch? (e.g., the velvety underside of a fern) What do you taste? (Only safe, edible plants like wild strawberries—if identified with certainty.)

This zone is perfect for mindfulness exercises. Sit quietly on a log for five minutes. Close your eyes. Notice how your body relaxes. This isn’t just recreation—it’s mental restoration.

8. Rest and Reflect in the Open Meadow

After hours of active exploration, the Open Meadow offers a spacious, sun-dappled area for rest, storytelling, or sketching. Wildflowers bloom in spring and summer, attracting butterflies and bees. This is where imagination takes flight—children might turn fallen branches into wands, build fairy houses from moss and petals, or create nature mandalas.

Bring a blanket and sit together. Share what you noticed during your journey. Ask: “What surprised you?” “What did you feel proud of doing?” “What would you like to find next time?” Reflection solidifies learning and creates lasting memories.

9. Leave No Trace, Take Only Memories

One of the core principles of the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape is environmental stewardship. Before leaving, conduct a quick “Leave No Trace” check. Did you pick up any litter? Did you replace any stones or logs you moved? Did you step on fragile plants? Even small actions have cumulative impact.

Take photos, draw sketches, write in a journal—but leave natural objects where they belong. This teaches children that nature is not a resource to be collected, but a community to be respected.

10. Extend the Experience Beyond the Park

The magic of the Nature Playscape doesn’t end when you leave the gate. Use your visit as a springboard for ongoing engagement. Start a nature journal at home. Plant native species in your yard. Visit local botanical gardens or nature centers. Watch documentaries about local ecosystems. Talk about what you saw with friends and neighbors.

Encourage children to teach others. Let them lead a “Nature Walk” for siblings or classmates. This reinforces learning and cultivates leadership. The playscape isn’t just a place—it’s a catalyst for lifelong environmental connection.

Best Practices

1. Embrace Unstructured Time

One of the most powerful aspects of the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape is its lack of prescriptive instructions. Resist the urge to turn every moment into a lesson. Let children lead. Let silence fill the air. Let them get muddy. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics confirms that unstructured outdoor play improves executive function, reduces stress, and enhances emotional regulation. Your role is not to direct, but to witness.

2. Prioritize Safety Through Awareness, Not Restriction

While the playscape is designed with safety in mind, it is not risk-free. Natural environments involve uneven terrain, weather changes, and wildlife encounters. Instead of shielding children from all potential hazards, teach them to assess risk. “Is that log stable?” “Is the water moving too fast?” “Do you see any bees nearby?” This builds judgment and resilience—skills far more valuable than avoiding minor scrapes.

3. Model Curiosity and Respect

Children mirror adult behavior. If you treat the plants with reverence, they will too. If you crouch down to examine a beetle instead of stepping over it, they’ll learn to look closer. Speak softly. Move slowly. Show wonder. Your attitude shapes their relationship with nature.

4. Visit Repeatedly

One visit is never enough. The playscape changes daily. A new nest appears. A flower blooms. A puddle dries up. Return weekly or monthly. Each visit becomes a chapter in a longer story. Over time, children develop deep familiarity with the land, noticing subtle shifts in seasons, animal behavior, and plant growth. This fosters ecological literacy and a sense of belonging.

5. Involve the Community

Bring friends, neighbors, or local school groups. Organize a “Nature Play Day” where families share snacks, stories, and discoveries. Community involvement strengthens the playscape’s impact and ensures its long-term care. Many local schools partner with the park for outdoor curriculum days—consider volunteering or suggesting a similar program.

6. Document and Share

Keep a photo log or digital album of your visits. Note dates, weather, and discoveries. Share your experiences on local community boards or nature-focused social media groups. Visibility helps secure funding, promotes awareness, and inspires others to visit. Your stories become part of the playscape’s legacy.

7. Support the Ecosystem

Learn about the native species that thrive here—oak trees, monarch butterflies, red-winged blackbirds. Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in your own yard. Plant milkweed to support pollinators. Participate in local clean-up days. The playscape is a microcosm of a larger ecological network. Your actions beyond its borders matter.

Tools and Resources

1. Field Guides

Carry a compact field guide to enhance identification. Recommended titles include:

• Field Guide to Trees of the Midwest by David E. Beadle and John C. Kricher
• National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers
• Bugs of the Midwest by Richard Jones

Apps like iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist use AI to identify plants and insects from photos. These are excellent for real-time learning and contribute to citizen science databases.

2. Nature Journaling Supplies

A simple notebook and pencil are invaluable. Consider journals with thick, textured pages that handle watercolor or pencil sketches. Encourage children to draw, write poems, or press leaves between pages. The act of recording deepens attention and memory.

3. Educational Programs

The City of South Bend Parks and Recreation offers guided nature walks, seasonal workshops, and teacher training sessions. Check their website for upcoming events. Nonprofits like the St. Joseph River Foundation and the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society often host volunteer planting days or birdwatching excursions nearby.

4. Online Learning Platforms

For deeper ecological understanding, explore:

• National Wildlife Federation’s Outdoor Classroom
• Khan Academy’s Biology and Ecology Modules
• Learner.org’s “Earth 101” Video Series

These resources provide context for what you observe on-site, transforming play into profound learning.

5. Local Libraries and Nature Centers

Many libraries offer free nature kits: bug viewers, rain gauges, and identification cards. The Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative and the Mishawaka-Pennsylvania Public Library often host family nature nights with storytelling, crafts, and guided hikes. These are excellent complements to your playscape visits.

6. Weather and Air Quality Tools

Use apps like Windy.com or the AirVisual app to plan visits during optimal conditions. Avoid days with high pollen counts or extreme heat. Early morning or late afternoon visits are often most pleasant and biologically active.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Family Who Found a Frog

Every Saturday, the Rivera family visits LaFortune Park. One spring morning, their 5-year-old daughter, Mia, spotted a small green frog near the water channel. Instead of grabbing it, she crouched down and whispered, “Hello, little one.” Her father pulled out his phone and used Seek to identify it as a Spring Peeper. They spent the next 20 minutes watching it hop between lily pads. That week, Mia drew the frog in her journal and asked to read every book about frogs at the library. Two months later, she led a “Frog Day” at her preschool, teaching classmates how to be quiet around amphibians. The playscape didn’t just entertain—it ignited a passion.

Example 2: The Teacher Who Transformed Her Curriculum

Ms. Delaney, a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, began taking her class to the Nature Playscape once a month. She replaced traditional science worksheets with observation logs, sketching exercises, and group discussions about changes in the environment. Students tracked the life cycle of a monarch butterfly from egg to chrysalis over six weeks. One student wrote a poem titled “The Tree That Held My Secret,” inspired by a hollowed-out oak. Standardized test scores in science rose 18% that year. But more importantly, students who previously struggled with focus began to thrive outdoors.

Example 3: The Teen Volunteer Who Grew a Garden

At 16, Jamal joined a park stewardship program after noticing litter near the Sand and Soil Garden. He organized a youth team to remove invasive species and plant native wildflowers. With guidance from the city’s horticulturist, he designed a pollinator patch using milkweed, coneflower, and goldenrod. Two years later, the patch was thriving, attracting bees and butterflies. Jamal presented his project at a regional youth environmental summit. He’s now studying environmental science in college.

Example 4: The Grandparent and Grandchild Bonding Through Seasons

Every first Sunday, Evelyn brings her 3-year-old grandson, Leo, to the playscape. In winter, they track deer prints. In spring, they plant sunflower seeds. In summer, they hunt for ladybugs. In fall, they collect acorns and make acorn cap crowns. Evelyn says, “We don’t talk much. We just watch. But I feel closer to him here than I ever did in the living room.” Their shared ritual has become a cherished family tradition.

FAQs

Is the LaFortune Park Nature Playscape accessible for children with disabilities?

Yes. The park features ADA-compliant pathways, sensory-rich zones with textured surfaces, and adaptable play structures. Wheelchair-accessible ramps lead to key areas, and the water channel includes shallow, gently sloping edges. The park also offers tactile maps and audio guides upon request. Contact the South Bend Parks Department for specific accommodations.

Can I bring my dog to the Nature Playscape?

Dogs are not permitted in the Nature Playscape area to protect native wildlife and maintain a safe environment for children. However, leashed dogs are welcome in other sections of LaFortune Park. Please use designated pet areas to ensure the playscape remains a sanctuary for nature and play.

Are there restrooms or drinking fountains nearby?

Yes. Clean, accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are located near the main entrance and the picnic area. There are no facilities inside the playscape itself, so plan accordingly.

Is there a fee to enter the Nature Playscape?

No. The LaFortune Park Nature Playscape is free and open to the public during park hours. Donations to support maintenance and programming are welcome but not required.

What should I do if I see an injured animal?

Do not attempt to handle it. Note the location and contact the South Bend Animal Control or the Indiana Wildlife Rescue hotline for assistance. Many animals are simply resting or hiding—intervention can do more harm than good.

Can I host a birthday party at the Nature Playscape?

Small, quiet gatherings are permitted without a permit. However, large groups, amplified sound, or structured activities require approval from the Parks Department. The playscape is designed for natural, unstructured play—not commercial events. Consider a picnic in the adjacent meadow instead.

How can I help maintain the Nature Playscape?

Volunteer opportunities include invasive species removal, native plantings, trail maintenance, and educational outreach. Join the Friends of LaFortune Park group or sign up through the city’s volunteer portal. Even picking up litter during your visit makes a difference.

Is the playscape open in the winter?

Yes. The playscape remains accessible year-round. Snow transforms the space into a quiet, meditative landscape perfect for tracking animal prints, building snow forts, and listening to the wind. Dress warmly and be mindful of icy patches near water features.

What if my child doesn’t want to play?

That’s okay. Some children observe more than they engage—and that’s valuable too. Sitting quietly, watching clouds, or listening to birds is a form of learning. Don’t pressure them. Return another day. Nature unfolds at its own pace.

Can I take photos for commercial use?

Personal, non-commercial photography is encouraged. For commercial or professional photo shoots, including weddings or advertising, you must obtain a permit from the City of South Bend Parks and Recreation Department.

Conclusion

The LaFortune Park Nature Playscape is not merely a place to play—it is a living, breathing invitation to reconnect with the earth, with each other, and with ourselves. In a world increasingly defined by screens, schedules, and speed, this space offers something rare: unhurried presence. It asks us to kneel in the dirt, to listen for bird calls beneath the wind, to wonder why a leaf turns red, to let our children climb without fear, to sit in silence and simply be.

Exploring the playscape is not about mastering a checklist. It’s about cultivating a relationship—with soil, with water, with insects, with trees, with quiet moments, with the rhythms of nature. It’s about teaching our children that wonder is not found in the loudest toy, but in the rustle of a fern. That strength is not measured in speed or height, but in curiosity and care.

As you plan your next visit, remember: you are not a visitor. You are a participant. The playscape thrives because people like you show up—with open hearts, muddy shoes, and a willingness to learn. Whether you come once or a hundred times, your presence matters. The frogs will sing. The trees will grow. And your child, sitting quietly with a pinecone in their hand, will carry this moment with them long after the sun sets.

Go. Explore. Listen. Return. Nature is waiting.