Getting Back to Nature | Video

Rene Thibault | 2/13/2013

Recycle and re-use were the two words Minot`s Forestry Department had in mind when they introduced plans for a new playground for the city. During last night`s Parks Committee meeting, Head Forester Brian Johnson proposed plans for a new Natural Playground and Learning Center for Oak Park.

The playground would consist of four stations made out of recycled logs the city already has on hand. There would be a lookout center, log tunnels, natural balance beams and a log fort. The project is an effort to get kids off the couch and outdoors.

“We were thinking what could we do for the community that would be just a little different, but extremely exciting, and we came up with the idea of doing a nature playground, and a learning center to get kids outside away from the video games and away from plastic play features and get them back in touch with nature. This idea came to us and we`re going to run with it,” Johnson said.

The proposal will be brought forward to the Park Board for final decision later this month. If passed, Johnson wants to begin construction in May.

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