About
Grand Rapids Connecting Children to Nature initiative is promoting community awareness of the health and social benefits of the outdoors. We are working in four neighborhoods with children and residents to implement green parks and playgrounds. We want Grand Rapids to be a city where children have the opportunity to play, learn and grow outdoors in nature. We seek to ensure a connection to nature becomes an integral part of city priorities, planning and policymaking across a range of areas, including community health and wellness, education, out-of-school time programming, job creation, transportation and land use.
Our national partners include the National League of Cities Institute of Youth, Education & Families, Children & Nature Network, and The Thrive Outside Initiative of the Outdoor Foundation.
Vision
“All Grand Rapids youth have equitable access to natural places and spaces for a happy and healthy life.”
Values
- Improving the health of people living in low-income communities by increasing access to nature-based activities and green space.
- Supporting the development of stronger social-emotional and cognitive skills among young people through increased time in nature.
- Nurturing an emerging generation of youth as stewards of and advocates for the natural environment.
