Kids Dig in at Penitentiary Glen’s Nature Play Area in Kirtland

The sand pit within the Nature Play area of Penitentiary Glen Reservation invites kids of all ages to dig, build and dream up entire worlds. But it’s just one small part of a larger-than-life sandbox where children can connect with nature and let their imaginations run wild.

“We wanted kids to come up with creative ways to explore and interact with nature,” says site facility manager Kristin Snider. “Rules can really dampen how kids explore, so we wanted to create a space where parents could be hands-off.”

Once inside the fenced-in, 1-acre play area, kids can trek across balancing beams, explore the hidden depths of leaf-covered tunnels and build their own teepees using bamboo sticks. A small, 3 1/2-foot-deep wading pond offers up-close interaction with frogs and salamanders, while a canvas-covered yurt provides sanctuary from the sun.

A perennial favorite remains the youth community garden where children can get hands-on experience planting mint, strawberries, tomatoes and other seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“We supply materials every year, or they can bring their own, and they can actually see what it’s like to take care of a garden,” says Snider. “It’s constantly evolving. When kids return throughout the year, it becomes a completely new experience.” 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland 44094, 440/354-3434, lakemetroparks.com

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