Nature Room and Outdoor Natural Play Area
Our Nature Room features a variety of educational, hands-on action stations that will have you and your family learning about all the wonderful aspects of nature right here in West Bloomfield. The Nature Room is located within the Recreation Activities Center (4640 Walnut Lake Road) and is home to the majority of our nature interpretive programs. Check out this great article from the West Bloomfield Beacon which highlights the Nature Room and its offerings.
Outdoor Natural Play Area
Come out and play in the dirt, create a masterpiece with sticks, hop on log stepping stones, dig in the garden bin, hunt for bugs and have some fun! The area is sensory-rich and a treasure trove of experiential learning, imagination and wonder.
The space features natural elements for play, intentionally designed to engage children with nature. We use the area for various nature programs and it is also be open for public use during select hours.
Research has found that frequent, unstructured play in natural environments is a strong positive influence on the developmental needs of young children. Benches are available for parents while children craft their own activities using natural materials.
Outdoor Natural Play Area
Come out and play in the dirt, create a masterpiece with sticks, hop on log stepping stones, dig in the garden bin, hunt for bugs and have some fun! The area is sensory-rich and a treasure trove of experiential learning, imagination and wonder.
The space features natural elements for play, intentionally designed to engage children with nature. We use the area for various nature programs and it is also be open for public use during select hours.
Research has found that frequent, unstructured play in natural environments is a strong positive influence on the developmental needs of young children. Benches are available for parents while children craft their own activities using natural materials.
Scheduled Nature Room Open Hours:
- 4/3 W 1:00P-4:00P - Come visit during Spring Break!
- 4/16 Tu 3:00P-6:00P
- 4/16 Tu 3:00P - 6:00P
- 4/18 Th 4:00P - 7:00P - Earth Day Celebration
- 5/21 Tu 3:00P - 6:00P
- 6/7 F 1:00P - 4:00P
- 6/8 Sa 11:00A-3:00P - Come visit during our Pet Adoption!
- 6/18 Tu 3:00P - 6:00P
- 6/29 Sa 10:00P-1:00P
- 7/16 Tu 3:00P - 6:00P
- 8/2 F 1:00P - 4:00P
- 8/7 W 1:00P - 4:00P
- 8/20 Tu 3:00P - 6:00P
Meet Our Naturalists:
Lauren Azoury
Hello fellow nature lovers! Please allow me to introduce myself…my name is Lauren Azoury and I am the part-time Naturalist for West Bloomfield Parks.
I am fortunate to be a part of the WB Parks team and enjoy teaching new and innovative nature interpretive programs to West Bloomfield residents. I especially love being able to provide first time nature experiences for adults, children and families. Through a partnership with Civic Center TV, we have a series of short videos titled "Minute with Nature" that help families learn more about nature. Check them out on our YouTube page here!
I’ve always been passionate about the importance of getting people outdoors and prior to my time here at WB Parks I facilitated nature education programs at Oakland County Parks from 2007 to 2013. Prior to that, I had an amazing experience as a team member of the animal presenter team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. My Bachelors of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife comes from Michigan State University. Go Green!
I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with others, including my own family (my husband and our 3 year old son). Please take a look at our Seasonal Activity Guide to see some of the programs I am teaching this year. I would love for you and your group to come visit me at the Nature Room too! There are lots of options for nature appointments.
I am fortunate to be a part of the WB Parks team and enjoy teaching new and innovative nature interpretive programs to West Bloomfield residents. I especially love being able to provide first time nature experiences for adults, children and families. Through a partnership with Civic Center TV, we have a series of short videos titled "Minute with Nature" that help families learn more about nature. Check them out on our YouTube page here!
I’ve always been passionate about the importance of getting people outdoors and prior to my time here at WB Parks I facilitated nature education programs at Oakland County Parks from 2007 to 2013. Prior to that, I had an amazing experience as a team member of the animal presenter team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. My Bachelors of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife comes from Michigan State University. Go Green!
I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with others, including my own family (my husband and our 3 year old son). Please take a look at our Seasonal Activity Guide to see some of the programs I am teaching this year. I would love for you and your group to come visit me at the Nature Room too! There are lots of options for nature appointments.
Patrick Endres
I have been involved in nature interpretation since 2010, when I started working for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). I spent five summers as a State Park Explorer Guide at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor in Detroit. In 2015, I was hired as an educational programmer at the new Michigan DNR Outdoor Adventure Center. I established and led all archery programing as well as taught natural and cultural resource programs.
I have been a USA Archery Certified Instructor since 2013. I’m also a certified as a Conservation Steward through Michigan State University Extension. In addition to my work with the Michigan DNR, I was the City of Rochester Hills’ Environmental Educator from 2011 to this past February when I accepted the full time naturalist position with West Bloomfield Parks.
I grew up in Southeast Michigan. I attended Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights and received my bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. When I’m not teaching nature programs, I enjoy practicing archery, taking hikes in nature and going on adventures with friends and family around Michigan. I am so excited to join this outstanding team and look forward to sharing my knowledge and passion of nature with the residents of West Bloomfield.
I have been a USA Archery Certified Instructor since 2013. I’m also a certified as a Conservation Steward through Michigan State University Extension. In addition to my work with the Michigan DNR, I was the City of Rochester Hills’ Environmental Educator from 2011 to this past February when I accepted the full time naturalist position with West Bloomfield Parks.
I grew up in Southeast Michigan. I attended Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights and received my bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. When I’m not teaching nature programs, I enjoy practicing archery, taking hikes in nature and going on adventures with friends and family around Michigan. I am so excited to join this outstanding team and look forward to sharing my knowledge and passion of nature with the residents of West Bloomfield.