The Heights Playground and Outdoor Classroom, Richmond Heights

Location: 8001 Dale Ave, Richmond Heights, MO 63117

Website: https://www.richmondheights.org/departments/parks___recreation_cooperative/facilities___parks/parks/index.php

Playground Ground Cover: Astroturf

This playground is amazing! It includes an outdoor nature classroom. Here is a wonderful article about all the features and benefits of Nature Classrooms. There are now several in the St. Louis area! In addition to this one, here's a list of the other Nature Classrooms:

• The Green Center in St. Louis, MO
• Kids International Early Childhood Center in Ellisville, MO
• Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, MO
• Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO
• Towne Park in Foristell, MO
• Anne O. Albrecht Nature Playscape in Forest Park 

You can also swim here. Here's that post. 

The large playground has many activities including rock walls, a balance beam, various poles and bars, slides, and more.

The playground is at the back of the Heights

 The outdoor classroom has several areas: building, movement, gathering, nature art, messy play, and climbing. 

                                          

                              

 Messy play area complete with sandpit

Looks like they're redoing the gathering area. 

 Nature Art Area

Building area

                              

                                           

                              

                                            

                                

                                

This playground is completely enclosed with a fence and a locking gate.

 Several covered picnic benches and a cute butterfly bench

 Steering wheels and pretend window

 Balance beam and several boulders to climb on

 3-story play structure with slides, rock wall, and many bars and poles

Small play structure with slides, a xylophone, and bars and poles

This rock has a spout of water that comes out

 Floating steps

"A large variety of activities are planned throughout the year at the Nature Explore Classroom including birthday parties, stories in the park, tree scavenger hunts, insect hunts, and camouflage adventures to name just a few. The classroom is completely fenced and parents have commented on how safe they feel letting their children play within the area knowing there is only one unlocked gate. Designed for children 2 to 12 years of age with adult supervision, there are boundless opportunities to explore and create in this magical space."