Playgrounds and parks level the nature experience. It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, or who you know, or what you believe, or who your ancestors are: playgrounds and parks are for everyone.  City kids can go on scavenger hunts, look for squirrels, climb on rocks, pick up sticks and stones, play with a ball, have a catch… you name it.  I love the playground in our little town.  I always meet new people and my son has a great time.

Community gardens offer the chance for urban folks to grow food and community. I’ve driven through many cities where lush abundant thriving gardens pop up out of nowhere.  Happy families gather and tend their crops engaged eachother as they strive to live close to the earth (despite all the pavement). Kids can always plant a few bulbs in a pot in the house and wait for them to grow (also called forcing). Or wheat grass seeds sprout quickly and grow easily on a tray of seed starter. Growing bean sprouts or alfalfa sprouts on the kitchen counter can be a simple way to connect children with food growth.

Farmers markets are sprouting across the nation;  families have easy access to foods straight from the farmer. I love the look on a boys face when he sees carrots straight out of the ground, or a girls face as she realizes where honey comes from. Farmers markets put community back into the shopping experience and farmers are (almost) always so excited to share their stories with children.

I set out to write something geared for city folk, but these examples are relevant to anyone with or without children. These places are the epicenters of community where children, families, adults, and old folks can come together to acknowledge and appreciate the abundance that comes from nature.

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