Shepard Nature Play Space - Montana Audubon Center

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Shepard Nature Play Space

Update

The major dirt work is now complete, and while we’re putting the final touches on the Shepard Nature Play Space, it’s open and ready for play!

We’re deeply grateful to the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation and OP&WE for making this transformation possible.

Special thanks to Bob Macken for building the footbridge over the dry creek bed, to John Spencer for constructing a bench that will soon display the Shepard Nature Play Space sign, and Oxendahl Construction for making the dirt work and dry river bed drainage happen.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life!

Open to the public from sunrise to sunset

The Montana Audubon Center is proud to offer Billings’ first public, ADA-accessible Nature Play Space— a special outdoor area where children can safely play and explore nature.

In this space, kids can enjoy unstructured play in an environment designed to improve their physical and emotional well-being, while supporting important stages of mental and social growth. Nature Play Spaces are designed to bring children back to nature. Built with natural elements like logs, water, sand, mud, boulders, hills, and trees, these areas provide a safe, child-friendly introduction to the larger, wild world. Carefully integrated, child-safe features encourage creative play and exploration, helping young visitors build a lasting love for nature.

Our Nature Play Space was made possible through the efforts of local community members, parents, teachers, children, and generous funding partners. Site construction was completed by Good Earth Works, with key support from our primary partner, the Yellowstone River Parks Association.