City Park Nature Play

City Park Nature Play (CPNP) could have been a typical nature play area—but the Denver Museum of Nature & Science had a more ambitious vision. They asked: how might we bring the “Explore Colorado” dioramas from the museum’s third floor to life outdoors—telling the story of water’s journey from alpine tundra to prairie grasslands? 

The process began with community input. Over the course of a month, families received creative, hands-on design kits to imagine their ideal nature play space. Their feedback emphasized a desire for experiences that celebrate the diversity of Colorado’s natural environments. 

Guided by this input, the design team partnered closely with museum curators to reimagine the state’s seven distinct habitat zones within an immersive, accessible, and multi-sensory landscape. Each zone was brought to life through regionally inspired materials, native plantings, and play features that encourage exploration, discovery, and rest. Collaborating with local artist Chainsaw Mama, the team incorporated sculptural representations of Colorado’s iconic wildlife throughout the site. 

A key element of the project was the restoration of the park’s historic waterway. A new continuous flow from the city ditch now sustains the existing tree canopy and riparian plantings, revives a historic waterfall, and enriches the habitat with playful boulder, log, and bridge crossings. 

The result is City Park Nature Play—a four-acre, immersive outdoor extension of the museum experience within Denver’s largest City Beautiful-era park. Blending ecology, art, and play, CPNP transforms the story of Colorado’s landscapes and waterways into a living, science-based experience. For many urban families, it offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature and discover Colorado’s ecosystems—no mountain drive required.