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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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

A group of youth play with a football while other children sit on the berm. Behind them, kids play on the climber dome. The school building in the background is painted with bright colors and artwork.

Place

Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (formerly Chester Arthur Schoolyard)

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

A participant in bright orange winter gear gleefully slides down a steep, snowy slope on a mono ski.

Program

Ogden Valley Adaptive

Ogden, UT

An Outdoor Afro participant stands on a mossy rock in the middle of a river and casts a fishing line. Surrounding the river bank are more mossy rocks and forest undergrowth.

Program

Outdoor Afro

Oakland, CA

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 young girl with pink hair rappels down a rock face using rope. The girl is wearing blue jeans and a helmet.

Program

Outdoor Outreach

San Diego, CA

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

A young participant shows excitement for the bike ride; he is accompanied by a program staff wearing a neon vest.

Program

Portland Wheelers

Portland, ME

A sidewalk, path, and landscaped garden beds with flat-roofed, wood-sided buildings on either side.

Place

Power To Be Basecamp

Victoria, British Columbia

Children play in and around large, hollowed-out logs set in a flat area covered with bark mulch with trees in the background.

Place

Regenstein Learning Campus at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe, IL

Two children play on modern-styled exercise equipment with an adult standing near one of them. There are trees, shrubs, and perennials planted on either side and a street with parked cars in the background.

Place

Ricardo Lara Linear Park

Lynwood, CA

A cyclist rides a bike along a forest trail, which is bordered by thick, green trees that give way to deeper forestry. The cyclist looks ahead to scout the trail before them; they also wear a bright yellow helmet and gloves for safety.

Program

Richmond Cycling Corps

Richmond, VA

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