Jamestown, N.Y. – Audubon Community Nature Center has created the Green Play Area, a space designed for young children, complete with a mud kitchen, water wall, and more.

Two to 6-year-olds and their favorite adult(s) are invited to drop in for Green Play Days any time 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Mondays, July 1–August 12. An educator or volunteer will be available throughout the day to assist, but adults must supervise their children.  

Unstructured play outside is beneficial to a child’s physical and mental development as well as their understanding and appreciation of the natural world. However, concerns about safety, location, materials, and the value of play are often barriers to creating these experiences. This open-house style program aims to inspire both kids and adults to make discoveries and feel more comfortable about the natural world through play.

The fenced Green Play Area is outdoors, so dress for the weather. Clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty are recommended, and you may want to bring a change of clothes or a towel for the car ride home. 

Adults are required to stay with their children and may want to bring a chair, snacks, and water or a drink. In the case of severe weather, the Green Play Area will close.  

No reservations are required for this program that is included with building admission. Members and SNAP/EBT cardholders are free. Non-member adults (ages 16+) are $6. Non-member children ages 3-15 are $2, and 2 and under are free. Maximum cost for a family is $15. (Building admission is free for all on Sundays.)

For more information, call (716) 569-2345 during business hours or go to AudubonCNC.org and click through Programs and Events.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, enjoy the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic area, and hike over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free. 

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 – 4:30 p.m.  

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by visit. Sunday, July 7 is the deadline for submitting or voting on entries in the 2024 Nature Photography Contest at GoGoPhotoContest.com/ACNCPhotoContest2024.