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City of Charleston
Connecting Children to Nature
By Bethany Doman, Marketing & Special Events Coordinator for City of Charleston
The City of Charleston has joined other cities and recreation departments across the country in the Connecting Children to Nature initiative to create more equitable and abundant access to nature. Today, the amount of time children spend outside and away from a screen is alarmingly low, taking a mental and physical toll. Studies show outdoor time helps children grow lean and strong, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment. Director of Recreation Laurie Yarbrough initiated the idea after receiving initial results of our 2020 Master Plan process showing residents wanted to spend more time outdoors in nature. “The shutdown of city, county, and state parks in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 really helped identify and show the demand communities have for place. Specifically, place to experience nature, trees, green grass, picnic tables and walking trails – any space that residents can be outside and play,” said Yarbrough. “Environmental Education has always
