Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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Family Nature Gatherings
Family Nature Gatherings
Our Mission is to build a nature based community where families can grow together through adventure and exploration.
Prior to participation in your first event please read and sign the family participation waiver.
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Complete Digital Waiver
This group is based around gathering families together to get outdoors and enjoy nature. We plan to meet at a variety of locations around the north-east region of Grand Rapids to allow for a variety of experiences. All events will include unstructured play in the outdoors, and many events will include an activity or educational talk. We will have weekend and weekday gatherings that will last around 2 hours but we will meet in public spaces so feel free to plan to stay longer or if you need to leave early that is no problem.
Adults must be present with your children and remain responsible for supervising the children they bring to each gathering.
At each location we will gather together for the first 15-30 minutes prior to setting off for adventuring and exploring as a group.
SIGN UP for Event Updates to know even more details on each event, what to bring, and what to expect.
Townsend Park
Townsend Park
Saturday, June 27, 2026
12:30 pm
*DATE/Time CHANGED from June 6*
Kent County Park with wooded hills along Bear Creek valley. 3 playgrounds, creek to easily wade in, hiking trails of pine forest, and boardwalk over wetlands. Be prepared to get wet if weather is nice. Kids love playing in the creek!
8280 6 mile Rd, Cannonsberg, MI 49317
Meet by bear creek bridge SW of enclosed shelter. You can park in angled parking along 6 mile road near large brown building and head south through the lawn along the creek down to the bridge.
Grand Rogue Park
Grand Rogue Park
Thursday July 17, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
66-acre community park, sitting at the convergence of the Rogue River and Grand River, the park has unique access to both rivers, an inland lake, and ponds. It has wooded areas along the River and lots of wooded hiking trails that are very accessible for children as the land by the river is fairly flat.
2868 Grand Isle Dr NE, Belmont, MI 49306
Meet - Playground area
John Ball Park & Playground
John Ball Park & Playground
Sunday, July 26, 2026 @ 12:30 pm
The bespoke two-level tower provides tons of opportunities for climbing, exploring, and sliding. The crisscrossing cladding on the tower evokes intersecting blades of grass or tree branches. The stainless steel mesh panels provide ample light and visibility into the structure. An accessible wood bridge links the tower to a raised pathway that runs around the playground. A stainless steel open slide is paired with a taller plastic tube slide from the second level. Interior climbing walls and rubber sling seats enhance the interior play.
Along with the tower, the natural log climbers provide graduated challenge for explorers to test their boundaries. These climbers combine nets, ropes, stump steppers, and angled decks to provide play circuits that cater to all ages and abilities.
1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Meet at the Universal Playground by Valley and Park St (East side of Park). Park on the street, or zoo lot as kent county resident you can go to zoo ticket booth to get validated.
Provin Trails
Provin Trails
Wednesday August 12, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Interconnected loops of natural-surfaced trails invite hikers and skiers to explore the sandy-floored forest of Provin Trails park. Located off 4 Mile Road between Dean Lake Avenue and the East Beltline, this heavily wooded park offers a quick escape to nature that's close to city life. A largely undeveloped area, Provin Trails provide ample challenges for beginner, intermediate, and expert hikers alike.
2900 4 mile Rd, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Meet in the pines located right to left of trailhead and trail sign. Once parked head down hill into the woods and we will be along trail at base of hill.
Beach Day - PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Beach Day - PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Saturday August 29, 2026 @ 10:00am
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, located in Muskegon, is situated on 3 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline with towering dunes, 10 miles of scenic trails and the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center.
One of the park's main attractions is the dune climb along the Dune Overlook Trail, an approximately half-mile roundtrip climb with about 220 steps and benches along the way. For a more moderately steep hike, follow the 2-mile-long (roundtrip) Homestead Trail that includes a stop at Lake Michigan.
6585 Lake Harbor Road, Muskegon, Michigan, 49441
Meet at the new visitors center to explore and we can walk down to beach together.
Wahlfield Park
Wahlfield Park
Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Great park and playground located off M-37 that is known for great trails that are used by hikers and bikers year round. Great multi-age playground and I even have a scavenger hunt specific to this park. Beautiful scenery and plenty of woods and a creek to explore.
I also have the Wahlfield visual scavenger hunt to complete in playground area.
6811 Alpine Ave, Alpine Township, MI 49321
Meet at Playground
Roselle Park
Roselle Park
Saturday, September 26, 2026 @ 1:00pm
This community park features a paved path that leads to the Grand River where visitors will find a river outlook and canoe landing. Looping natural trails wind through wetlands, prairies and forests – providing good opportunities to view wildlife and migrating birds. Fun for the whole family, Roselle Park also has a wetland observation deck, silo observation deck, silo climbing wall, and natural-themed park climbing equipment,
1010 Grand River Dr. NE, Ada, MI
Meet by the silos near playground & climbing wall
Additional Events will be added quarterly.
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