Recreational Programming for Children's Interaction with Nature in Rosemount City Parks

Abstract

This project was completed as part of a year-long partnership between the City of Rosemount and the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (http://www.rcp.umn.edu). In recent years, research has grown on how nature-based play improves children’s (and adults’) health, development, and relationships with the natural world. The goal of this project was to assess opportunities for nature-based recreation and play in the City of Rosemount, and recommend improvements to park and recreation systems to provide more nature-based opportunities for children. In collaboration with city project lead Tom Schuster, Parks Supervisor for the City of Rosemount, a team of students in LS 5100: Revitalizing Environmental Reform: Re-Imagining the Arts for Public Parks examined Rosemount’s current park amenities and offered specific recommendations for nature-based improvements. A final report from the project is available.