UNF and First Coast Urban Ag open local ‘playgarden’ for families to connect with nature

Jacksonville families have a new way to connect with nature, thanks to a unique partnership between the University of North Florida’s Leadership and Service in Early Childhood course and First Coast Urban Ag.  

The vibrant, agriculturally immersive playgarden is open to the public and located in Jacksonville’s historic Springfield neighborhood.  

Funded by the Cummer Family Foundation, the playgarden offers a safe, interactive environment where children can engage all five senses, explore local flora and fauna and access fresh produce. As the first project in a broader initiative to establish playgardens along Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail, this space fosters community spirit, promotes health and encourages green living. 

As part of their coursework, UNF students enrolled in the Leadership and Service in Early Childhood course participated in a service-learning project connected to early childhood education. Dr. Adrien Malek-Lasater, assistant professor in UNF’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services, presented several potential projects, including the playgarden, which she had learned about through her connection with First Coast Urban Ag’s executive director, Valeria Herrmann. After discussing their options, Malek-Lasater's students collectively decided to help with the playgarden initative.  

“The playgarden is more than just a playground,” said Dr. Malek-Lasater. “It’s a space that fosters community, promotes health and connects families to the natural world. This project exemplifies UNF’s commitment to applied learning by empowering our students to make tangible contributions to the community.” 

Throughout the fall 2024 semester, students dedicated one to two hours per week to various tasks in the playgarden. Their efforts included weeding, planting, preparing seedlings and spourts, digging and paving pathways, building a lending library, clearing brush, creating education and interactive posters and preparing for the playgarden’s soft opening at Jacksonville’s 2024 PorchFest in November. Some students also attended PorchFest, engaging with children and families through storytelling, nature-related games and acorn necklace-making. 

Contributing UNF students include Madeline Bell, Elizabeth Clines, Jenna McLaughlin, Madison Parrales, Regina Seabrook, Hannah Warren, Isis Bowlin, Jess Harris, Olivia Miller, Adria Reedy, Catherine Selander, Natalie Cantlay, Josseline Leiba, Camille Murphy, Cecilia Santos and Melissa Skarbek. 

Unlike traditional playgrounds dominated by plastic and metal structures, the playgarden embraces a nature-centric approach and encourages both structured and unstructured play. Children can climb mulberry and loquat trees, build forts, dig in the soil, observe insects and play freely while experiencing the changing seasons. The playgarden practices regenerative organic methods to enrich soil and promote sustainable food growth and embraces principles from the Honorable Harvest, an ecological philosophy that encourages gratitude and reciprocity with nature.  

Families can participate in growing plants from seeds in a greenhouse and explore interactive educational games developed in partnership with UNF. These include regional bird, butterfly and palm tree matching poster games that teach about local ecology in a fun, engaging way. Future classes will offer lessons in food ecology and environmental stewardship, further deepening the connection between families and the natural world. 

“We found that in traditional playgrounds, children had fun but often experienced more conflicts and minor injuries, while parents felt exhausted keeping up with them,” said Herrmann. “But in nature-centered spaces, kids explore, learn and socialize more freely, and parents can relax while remaining engaged.” 

Families can visit the playgarden at 2007 N Market St, Jacksonville, FL 32206.