Officials with the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire are looking to expand the 4-acre park to redevelop the southeast corner of the park into the Enchanted Woods Nature Play Space.

What we know

The $2 million capital campaign launched in early 2023 and is looking to create a nature-based adventure playground, which according to the campaign flyer, will have a Treehouse Classroom as its focal point.

The treehouse will replace conventional plastic slides and swings with natural play elements such as hills, tunnels, water, sand and loose parts intended to stimulate creative, challenging play and encourage an emotional bond with nature.

Other features may include:
  • The Old Hollow Stump Stepper Yard: A towering old hollow stump with a woodpecker hole to peek through and climbable spider webs that encourage balance, climbing, pretend play and discovery
  • Garden Stroll Backyard Encounters: A winding path that wanders from plant to plant and focuses on discoveries of the senses and spurs interaction with the tiny creatures who rely on plants for life
  • Rolling Hills Run: A portion of land that bubbles up where kids can run around, over and through hills
  • Nature Workshop: A play zone that involves loose parts generated from nature where children can construct and deconstruct items made from materials such as sand, water, sticks and mud
Development Director Colin O'Neal said the Enchanted Woods Play Space would allow the nonprofit organization to expand their program capacity and revitalize a portion of the park that hasn't seen upgrades since the early 2000s.


"We are strong advocates of nature play, which is risky play, it's unstructured play and it ignites imagination—that's what we're all about," he said. "So many of our parks are very manicured and are not places where kids can just run amuck and play and we want to be that space for children."

Project funding

According to the Nature Discovery Center website, 50% of the $2 million project has already been funded through donors. Donors have included Patrons for Bellaire Parks, The Cullen Foundation and The Norma Barnes Estate, as well as personal donors including Sherri Chilivetis, Debbie and Chris Patton, and Shelley Starr.

Donors who invest in the project are provided an opportunity for naming opportunities depending on the donated amount, which varies from $500 to $100,000+, and includes either a name listed on the donor wall or an engraving or plaque placed on a featured item in the playground. Those who donate more than $100,000 also receive a lifetime membership to the discovery center.


Looking ahead

O'Neal said the intention is to break ground in spring 2025. Construction is anticipated to take approximately 9-10 months with a tentative opening date of early 2026. Timeline is subject to change.