Case Studies

Below are a series of case studies about designed projects and programs that connect people with nature. To search design projects, click on case studies called PLACE. For programs, click on case studies called PROGRAMS. We hope you will look at all the incredible case studies that prioritize nature and health.

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Vibrant plants and trees with fall foliage border a playground. The playground colors are muted in shades of green and browns.

Place

Ed Barsis Park at Four Hills Village

Albuquerque, NM

An overhead photo of an Elevate Youth member outdoor rock climbing at Hammond Pond looking toward the top of the route and smiling.

Program

Elevate Youth

Boston, MA

Seed Crew students diligently plow a row of soil in preparation for seed planting at Conundrum Farms. Lined up behind them are other already plowed rows. In the background are tall trees and a farm building; the sky above them is cloudy, which offers plenty of shade.

Program

FunkyTown Food Project

Crowley, TX

A butterfly garden is in full bloom with bright pink, red, and white native plants and wildflowers. The Garden Club has high hopes that this garden becomes a haven for pollinators for many years.

Program

Garden Club at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center

Chicago, IL

GRuB’s famous sign stands tall above thick, bright foliage. Its unique design reflects the shape of a sunflower, with GRuB’s logo placed proudly in the center. Behind the sign are rustling trees; a glimpse of a building’s orange rooftop can be seen between the leaves.

Program

Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB)

Olympia, WA

Six people stand around the vegetable beds in the garden. In the background, there is a low building as well as a large fully leafed out tree overhanging the plants that provides shade.

Program

Guam Green Growth Hagåtña Community Garden

Hagåtña, GU

Three people—one of them in a wheelchair—are seated in a garden area that resembles an eddy, where fresh air is gathered; rows of planters border the walkway leading up to the seating area. The trio enjoys the spring bloom and the clear, sunny sky.

Place

Hospice Garden

Seattle, WA

A child in a blue shirt and a child in a red shirt are playing the game Twister outdoors, on a surface of dried grass and leaves.

Program

Integrative OT

Birmingham, AL

Two children sit on top of a hexagonally shaped climbing structure while another stands on the other end. Two children are slightly blurred as they run around the structure. The brick school building is in the background.

Place

KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy

Philadelphia, PA

A young adult scales a steep rock face. The student is tethered by a rope and smiles at the camera with a sprawling forest below the cliff they are climbing.

Program

Kismet Rock Foundation

North Conway, NH

A salmon colored wall meanders through a park adjacent to lush green grass and open space. Several trees have leaves that are changing from green to orange.

Place

Linwood Park

Ardmore, PA

A group of participants pose with their arms up for a sunny picture in Belmar Park. Behind them is a vast lake surrounded by lush greenery.

Program

Live By Living

Lakewood, CO

An aerial image of the playground showing play equipment, gathering spaces, and a painted ground mural looping around the playground.

Place

Louis H. Farrell Elementary School

Philadelphia, PA

Multiple children are playing on an expansive wooden play structure surrounded by green grass and foliage.

Place

McMichael Park Nature Playspace

Philadelphia, PA

A group of participants gather closely to pose for a photo. Some people sit on wooden benches while others stand behind them. The scenery around them is full of green, as there are verdant trees behind them and tall wild grass surrounding them. The participants convey their admiration of the land through wide smiles.

Program

Nearby Nature MKE

Milwaukee, WI

A man wearing a helmet and a green shirt rides an adaptive cycle on a forest trail. The trees and leaves are blurry, showing the speed of the cyclist.

Program

North Carolina Adapted Sports – Adapted Off-Road Cycling Program

Cary, NC

Three children explore a creek, standing on rocks above the low water. They are working on balance, coordination, and building self-confidence in nature. In the background, trees are beginning to leaf out in front of a bright blue sky, and an adult explores further up the creek.

Program

Outdoor Kids Occupational Therapy, Inc.

Berkeley, CA; Oakland, CA; Madison, WI

A group of people in summer clothes are standing with nearby ambulatory aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers. Two people are holding croquet mallets, with one leaning over and preparing to hit the yellow ball.

Program

Outdoor Rehabilitation for Everyone at Unicare Bakke

Halden, Norway

Six POCO members stand along a brick outcrop to take a picture in front of a mountain landscape. The Wallowas stretch far into the horizon behind them, and clouds blanket the blue sky.

Program

People of Color Outdoors

Portland, OR

Children explore a muddy path made by a low-flow channel with their feet. One adult is watching the children play and another is walking through the adjacent field.

Place

Petroglyph Estates Park

Albuquerque, NM

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