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How a dream team created a park wonderland for children
In the heart of the Midwest, Normal, Illinois, boasts one of the most progressive nature play parks in the United States. With a population of just more than 50,000, this community welcomed a groundbreaking park in the fall of 2023. Representing years of innovation in planning, design and construction, the park showcases a unique blend of natural elements aimed at fostering children’s growth through play. Unlike traditional parks with bright-colored equipment on flat surfaces, this park features winding paths through trees, logs for climbing and wooden swings that seamlessly blend into the landscape. Located at Colene Hoose Elementary School, the Ilse and Charles Jobson Natural Play Park is not just a playground — it is a gift to both the students and the broader community, symbolizing a new era in play and education.
An Idea Is Born
The visionary behind this park is Charlie Jobson, a finance executive and alumnus of the Colene Hoose Elementary School. Jobson grew up in Normal, and a visit to his hometown sparked a desire to give back to the community. Reflecting on a recent family trip to Scandinavia, where he was inspired by the region’s innovative approach to nature play, Jobson decided to bring a similar concept to Normal. With young twin boys of his own, he understood the importance of such environments for children’s development. Jobson committed to a donation of $5 million and set out to create a park that would redefine play for the children of Normal.
Jobson was deeply influenced by the work of researcher and scholar Peter Gray, who emphasizes the importance of play in children’s growth and development. Gray’s research highlights the critical role of self-directed play in fostering creativity, problem-solving and social skills in children. Jobson wanted to create a space where these principles could come to life. “I want to let people know about the underlying principles behind natural play and why it is important to our society today,” Jobson explains. “I believe there is a desperate need for self-directed nature play. Kids are micromanaged from morning to night, and there is a significant difference between adult-directed and self-directed play.”
The Dream Team
Jobson knew he needed a team of experts to bring his vision to life. He enlisted the help of world-renowned Danish landscape architect Helle Nebelong and innovative Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds founder Adam Bienenstock. “A small group of the best people assures the quality control you can’t achieve offloading the project to third parties without vision. The end product is bigger than all of us. Directly creating something extraordinary can create a platform to create a larger success nationwide to benefit more children over time,” says Jobson. “The quality of craftsmanship is evident throughout.”
Helle Nebelong, known for her innovative and naturalistic playground designs in Europe, found this project to be a unique challenge. “It has been very strange to me to see that the school board initially had no idea what a natural/nature playground would be like. We had to get experts to make presentations for them about all the positive impacts nature has on children’s play, health, motor skills, socialization skills and concentration skills. It is also much safer to play in a nature playground than in playgrounds filled with fixed, so-called safe play structures. I think the fear of accidents and children getting hurt takes up a lot of focus in the USA.”
Nebelong’s mission for the Colene Hoose School park was to transform it into a natural playscape that could serve as a model for other schools and become a community gathering spot. “A playground should be comprehensive, challenging, stimulating and inclusive,” she states. For this project, she focused on creating a diverse range of natural spaces. “There is so much space, so it was so fun to fill it up with a playable landscape with so many play possibilities, lots of plantings, and lots of curved pathways.”
One standout feature of this project for Nebelong was its scale. “The uniqueness of this project is the large site — more than twice as big as the former play parks I have designed,” she explains. Drawing from her past projects, she incorporated a snail-shaped mound from Valbypark’s nature playground and an alphabet labyrinth from a sensory garden in Copenhagen. However, many elements were unique to this project, using local materials whenever possible. “I always prioritize using local materials, recycling and integrating historic elements,” she notes.
Adam Bienenstock, a leader in natural playground design, typically oversees project design himself. However, he made an exception for this project due to his admiration for Nebelong’s work. “She provided all the original concept work, and I was responsible for figuring out the budget and building it,” he says. Bienenstock went beyond his usual commitment, purchasing a house next to the school to be more involved in the community and the project’s daily progress.
Community Involvement
Teachers, staff and students from Colene Hoose Elementary School were deeply involved in the planning process, providing valuable input on what they wanted to see in the park. This collaboration ensured the park would meet the needs and desires of those who would use it most.
One notable feature resulting from this community-driven approach is a mosaic “river,” which includes intricate fish designs created by the students. California public artist Robin Brailsford took these student drawings and skillfully incorporated them into the mosaic, giving it a unique and magical touch. “The children’s imagination far outweighs what any of us adults could do,” says Brailsford. “And it gives the river a sort of ‘rainbow magic’ of how far and wide children’s imaginations can stretch.”
The mosaic river has become a centerpiece of the park, symbolizing the vibrant and imaginative spirit of the children. This feature not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the park, but also serves as a lasting testament to the community’s collaborative efforts.
Students and staff were also involved in the physical creation of the park. They participated in planting trees and plants, helping to bring the design to life. This hands-on involvement fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the students, as they could see the direct impact of their efforts on the park’s development. It also provided an educational experience, teaching them about environmental stewardship and the importance of green spaces.
The collaboration between the Colene Hoose Elementary School and the creation team resulted in a space that is not only functional and beautiful, but also deeply meaningful to those who helped create it. It is a testament to the power of imagination, creativity and community spirit.
Sustainability to Address Climate Change
A significant aspect of the park’s design was its focus on sustainability and resilience to climate change. “That’s my piece of the puzzle,” says Bienenstock. “I don’t do projects where that’s not a focus. We have to be responsible for the land that we operate on.” To achieve this, 400,000 cubic yards of soil were moved to create hills and valleys, ensuring proper water flow and retention onsite. Bienenstock also curated the horticultural palette, selecting plants that were native to the area and capable of withstanding the effects of climate change, such as the heat island effect.
Traditional school playgrounds in the United States often feature flat, hard surfaces, like asphalt or cement, contributing to increased temperatures due to the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon, where urban areas are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to the absorption of heat by buildings and infrastructure, affects a large portion of the U.S. population. The dream team aimed to counteract this by incorporating numerous plants and natural materials into the park’s design. The park now hosts a diverse array of species, including 92 types of trees and more than 100 varieties of grasses and shrubs. “The design and planting component [are] exceptional,” says Jobson. “It will be the first newly certified arboretum in the state of Illinois in the last 20 years. All the plantings are native, often rare trees and plants of central Illinois. The substantial prairie restoration is an accurate seed mix.” This prairie ecosystem is crucial, given that “99 percent of the natural tall-grass prairie was destroyed during the settlement of the Midwest.”
Recycled materials played a key role in the park’s construction, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Notably, recycled brownstone from the Erie Canal and historic pavers from Chicago streets were used, adding historical significance and a unique aesthetic to the park. Locally sourced materials further emphasized the park’s environmentally friendly approach, supporting local businesses and reducing the carbon footprint.
The project was a collaborative effort involving craftsmen from across the United States and beyond. Artisans from Denmark contributed by creating intricate medallions and whimsical wooden hares, blending European craftsmanship with local materials. These artistic elements add depth to the park, engaging visitors and encouraging imaginative play.
The integration of recycled materials and global craftsmanship highlights the park’s dedication to sustainability, community and artistic excellence. This approach not only created a visually stunning and environmentally responsible space, but also fostered a sense of global and local unity.
The Final Park
The Ilse and Charles Jobson Natural Play Park, named in honor of Jobson’s parents, is now a thriving space for both school use during school hours and community enjoyment outside of school hours. Spanning 16 acres, the park features rolling hills, tree stands and meandering paths. Large boulders and logs serve as climbing structures, while a small creek with bridges and stepping stones encourages exploration. Other elements include sand play areas, musical instruments and woodland creatures that invite imaginative play. Native plants were chosen carefully to support local wildlife and provide a sensory garden for visitors. “The scope of the park expanded into being a treasure for the community at large due to the design of Helle Nebelong and the plantings of Adam Bienenstock,” says Jobson.
For Jobson, this project is about reconnecting people, especially children, with nature. He believes that exposure to natural environments is crucial for fostering a sense of stewardship for future generations. The Ilse and Charles Jobson Natural Play Park stands as a testament to this belief, offering a space where children can learn, explore and grow through self-directed
play in a natural setting. This innovative park not only enhances the community of Normal, but also sets a new standard for playgrounds across the country.
Author’s Note: Learn more about Helle Nebelong and the Ilse and Charles Jobson Natural Play Park at the Colene Hoose Elementary School in Normal, Illinois, in this BBC Podcast.
Paula M. Jacoby-Garrett is a Freelance Writer located in Las Vegas.