Stop by grand opening, nature fair for Wahoo Woods May 13

Dundee Township has announced the grand opening of a new nature play space, Wahoo Woods.

Join officials from the township and the Fox River Valley Public Library District for the opening festivities from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13.

Brief opening remarks will begin at 2 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:20 p.m. Local groups will participate in a Nature Fair with activities based on nature play. Guided walks of Library Springs Open Space will be available.

In Wahoo Woods, children will be able to balance on logs, climb boulders, create nature art, build forts and more.

Why the excitement about nature play? On the surface, it seems too simple an idea to warrant building a place for children to play in the woods. Yet the underlying concept is profound.

Nature's role in children's health and wellness has gained international accreditation. Compelling, science-based research shows the positive impact of nature play on "holistic" child development: cognitive, creative, physical, social/emotional; even spiritual.

A worldwide movement has emerged to advocate for and encourage unstructured, spontaneous play in natural settings without adult control. Such facilities are popping up across the nation.

Local organizations participating in the Nature Fair include: Friends of the Fox River, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Dundee Township Park District, Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Township, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Village of East Dundee, Dundee Township Lions Club, Morton Arboretum, Elgin Public Museum, Artisticology, L.L. Bean, Jamba Juice, Main Street Bicycles, and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce.

Wahoo Woods is located in the Library Springs Open Space. The entrance is at the north end of the parking lot of the Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee.

Bring your family to explore Wahoo Woods and the concept of nature play.

To learn more, visit www.frvpld.info.