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Audubon Sets Nature Play Day

The Audubon Community Nature Center will host its next Nature Play Day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Children ages two to eight and their favorite adults can drop in any time from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nature Play Area. It is an open house format so those attending can stay as long as they would like.

At Nature Play Days young children are free to be creative with what nature provides and a few additional supplies from Audubon. Extra materials that change with the weather and season are placed in the play area, and a naturalist is present to answer questions and provide information.

Unstructured play outdoors is beneficial to a child’s physical and mental development as well as their understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Concerns about safety, location, materials and the value of play are often barriers to creating these experiences. The Audubon program aims to inspire children and adults to make discoveries and feel more comfortable about the natural world through play.

Adults are required to stay with their children, and you may want to bring a chair, snacks and water or a drink. Those attending should be prepared for outdoor play and wear clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty. Parents may want to bring an extra change of clothes or a towel for the car ride home. Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling 569-2345 or going online to AudubonCNC.org/programs and clicking on “Current Schedule.” Walk-ins are welcome.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. The three-story Nature Center contains interactive displays, a collection of live animals, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop; building hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The 600-acre wetland preserve with more than five miles of trails and Liberty, the non-releasable Bald Eagle, can be visited from dawn until dusk daily.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 569-2345 during business hours, visit AudubonCNC.org, or find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook.