Nature Options for Parks and Schoolyards

Nature Exploration Areas (NEA)

NEAs are natural areas that are strategically designed for play and exploration by children (and sometimes adults!). They can include loose natural parts for building and creativity, larger natural materials for using gross motor skills (ie. logs, stumps, climbing trees), ecological elements for habitat values and learning opportunities (ie. plants, water features), and features for sensory experiences such as sand and water play. 

Local examples: San Francisco have a number of NEAs throughout their city

Landscaped Children's Garden

Gardens landscaped specifically for children to enjoy.

Local examples: SF Botanical Garden Children's Garden

Increasing nature at Emeryville parks for multigenerational use could include: Landscaped Gardens (Multigenerational), Restored / Rewilded Nature Areas, or Community Gardens with Plots and Memberships.

Landscaped Garden (Multigenerational)

Gardens landscapes for multigenerational enjoyment.

Local examples: Berkeley Rose Garden, UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, SF Botanical Garden, Tilden Botanical Garden

Restored / Rewilded Natural Area

Includes urban forests, restored habitats, native plants that attract local pollinators, daylighting creeks that currently flow underground

Local example: Strawberry Creek in Berkeley

Community Gardens with Plots and Membership

Community gardens have garden plots designated to limited members of the community. Typically other members of the community may visit the gardens but may not grow nor harvest anything.

Local examples: Emeryville Community Organic Garden, Big Daddy's Community Garden, and many more throughout the East Bay