Parks & Recreation Committee Nature Play Recommendations.
Low cost and low staffing
Creating Nature Play Areas and Connecting Children and Nature Program Create an Emeryville Children and Nature Bill of Rights (SF example).
Join the CCCN Community of Practice and attend the four bimonthly 60-90 minute virtually meetings in 2022.
Submit application for next round of CCCN grants (likely in 2023).
Identify potential spaces for nature areas, in both existing and future parks and public spaces, no matter how small.
Identify any new way to expand access to nature, particularly to make access more equitable.
Consider alternative disposal of trees and natural materials by public works. Strategically place materials around parks and other areas in ways that promote engagement with nature. Inquire how other cities have done this at Centennial Park, Sweeny Park, and Heron's Head.
Begin looking for grants or other funding sources for projects that are available. Connecting children and nature is a new trend that is recognized globally. The broad benefits of an innovative children and nature program could attract funding from a variety of sources, including local businesses such as Pixar to Stanford Health.
Incorporate children and nature projects in the next CIP budget.
Providing nature programming through continued collaboration and partnership with ECCL and EUSD, including Intergenerational programming.
Consider a weekly/monthly parks transportation shuttle to increase accessibility.
Connecting with collaborators, create a network of organizations that are committed to promoting connection between children and nature. Explore partnership with Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and other organizations.
Additional staff or cost
Restore Shorebird Park with native plants and natural materials in a way that subtly promotes nature exploration.
Increase access to nature at Eastshore Park.
Continue to support ECCL’s children’s garden and consider adding an additional publicly accessible garden.
Updating the strategic plan & create policies that promote connecting children and nature.
Create a nature exploration area (NEA) playbook (SF example).
Create a website that describes Emeryville's commitment to connecting children and nature and provides residents with information and resources (SF example).
Increase efforts to find and secure funding for the programs or projects.
Dedicate staff time in general to learn from children and nature programs in other cities, study CCCN resources, and become familiar with companies that design and build nature exploration areas.
Host nature exploration pop-ups at existing parks and at sites for potential future parks (including sites for potential street closures). Pop-ups to include nature play activities and to provide natural loose parts for exploration, such as bamboo, branches, tree cookies, etc. (SF example).
Host nature play days at preschools, similar to pop-ups (SF example).
Nature exploration area at Marina (similar to Heron's Head).
Nature exploration area at Stanford park.
Daylight creek at Temescal Creek Park (similar to Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley).
Emeryville Eco Center at the Marina.