By Sarah Oakley, Recreation Program Director for Noblesville Parks & Recreation
Summer is the perfect season to get adventurous! If you need some inspiration for new ways to explore the outdoors (which is full of amazing benefits for adults and children alike!), read below to hear Noblesville Parks & Recreation’s top tips!
My name is Sarah Oakley, and I manage programs and events for Noblesville Parks & Recreation. Having grown up spending extensive time outdoors, climbing trees, exploring creeks, and attending summer camps, I developed an early and lasting connection to nature. That connection shaped not only my career path but also my perspective on child development. As a parent raising my own daughter now, I am more convinced than ever that regular outdoor experiences are essential to children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
Scientific Evidence for the Benefits of Nature in Childhood
Scientific research has increasingly documented the critical role that nature exposure plays in healthy childhood development. In Vitamin N, author Richard Louv popularized the term “nature deficit disorder” to describe the consequences when children are disconnected from nature. Louv explains that children who spend insufficient time outdoors are at greater risk for attention difficulties, obesity, and anxiety. His work has been foundational in prompting educators, parents, and policymakers to re-examine the importance of outdoor play.
A bench at one of the trailheads at Hague Road Nature Haven.
Complementing Louv’s research, Angela Hanscom’s Balanced and Barefoot makes a compelling case for the physical benefits of unstructured outdoor play. Hanscom highlights how natural play environments encourage the development of proprioception, the body’s sense of position and movement, as well as balance, coordination, and fine motor skills. These are abilities that traditional indoor activities and structured sports often fail to cultivate to the same extent.
The cognitive benefits of nature exposure are equally well-established. Studies have shown that children who regularly engage with natural environments demonstrate improved concentration, enhanced creativity, and stronger problem-solving skills. Scott Sampson, in How to Raise a Wild Child, emphasizes that nature provides a rich, multi-sensory learning environment that uniquely stimulates brain development. Unlike artificial settings, the complexity and variability of outdoor environments engage children’s senses and curiosity in ways that promote cognitive flexibility and resilience.
Moreover, spending time outdoors has powerful emotional and psychological benefits. Outdoor activity is linked with reduced levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, and increased feelings of well-being. For children, regular nature exposure can foster emotional regulation and resilience, helping them manage anxiety and build confidence. In a world where childhood mental health challenges are on the rise, these benefits are particularly critical.
Noblesville’s Commitment to Outdoor Education and Family Engagement
Our Tots Outdoors program focused on trees, led by our summer intern Colin Hughes.
At Noblesville Parks, we have prioritized expanding outdoor education programs that allow children to experience these benefits firsthand. Our summer offerings include Creek Stompers, where children explore aquatic ecosystems and engage in hands-on environmental science, fostering ecological literacy and stewardship. Our Art in the Park series integrates creative expression with outdoor observation, encouraging children to develop new ways of seeing and interacting with nature.
For our youngest learners, Tots Outdoors introduces nature through safe, guided exploration. Designed for toddlers, this program supports early sensory development and curiosity by encouraging children to touch, smell, and observe natural elements around them. Early exposure at this critical developmental stage lays a strong foundation for a lifelong connection with the environment.
Opportunities Beyond Programming: Parks, Trails, Libraries, and Playgrounds
Beyond our organized programs, Noblesville offers a rich network of parks, trails, and outdoor spaces that provide abundant opportunities for children and families to engage in outdoor learning and unstructured play. These accessible natural environments serve as everyday classrooms where kids can explore, be physically active, and develop essential social and emotional skills.
An early morning on the trail through Forest Park.
Noblesville offers a variety of parks that support outdoor play and exploration, including Forest Park, Dillon Park, Seminary Park, Southside Park, Finch Creek Park, and Riverwalk Depot Pocket Park. Each park provides accessible green spaces and playgrounds that encourage physical activity and imaginative play, while nature enthusiasts can enjoy Hauge Road Nature Haven, a dedicated natural area. Our extensive trail system, including the Midland Trace Trail, Levee Trail, and Born Learning Trail, further supports outdoor activity and discovery for residents and visitors alike.
Along with our parks and trails, the Hamilton East Public Library offers a great outdoor space designed specifically for kids and teens to learn and explore. The Fishers Library also features an inviting outdoor plaza adjacent to the Nickel Plate Trail, providing families with additional space to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor learning opportunities.
Outdoor play area at Noblesville Library
Playgrounds play a crucial but often overlooked role in outdoor play, serving as essential spaces for children’s development. They offer more than just fun; climbing structures, swings, and slides help build strength, coordination, and balance while encouraging safe risk-taking. Playgrounds also support social growth as children learn to take turns, negotiate, and collaborate. Time spent on playgrounds promotes both gross and fine motor skills, which are foundational to healthy development. Encouraging free play on playgrounds and in natural settings fosters physical health, creativity, and emotional resilience. Noblesville’s dedication to maintaining vibrant parks, trails, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces ensures families have ample opportunities to enjoy these benefits throughout the year.
A Personal Reflection on Nature’s Lasting Impact
Looking back on my childhood, I recognize just how pivotal those outdoor experiences were in shaping who I am today. Summer camp not only taught me valuable lessons in independence and teamwork but also ignited a deep and lasting passion for nature that continues to influence both my professional work and approach to parenting. The importance of these experiences became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many traditional activities were limited, and outdoor spaces served as essential sanctuaries for the mental and physical well-being of families across the community.
As I raise my daughter, I am deeply committed to providing her with the same opportunities to explore, learn, and grow through outdoor experiences. Noblesville’s expanding programs and easily accessible natural spaces make it possible for many families to do the same. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities this summer, helping your children build healthy habits, sharpen their minds, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
Find Summer Events Near You
Here are some of the many ways to enjoy the outdoors in Noblesville this summer. From community festivals to nature programs, there’s something for all ages to explore and enjoy.
- Creek Stompers – Wednesdays, June 18th to August 27th at Dillon Park | 10:30am – 11:30am
- Art in the Park – Fridays, June 20th, July 11th, and July 25th at Forest Park | 11am –11:30am
- Dillon Park Concert Series – Thursdays in June and July at Dillon Park | 7pm – 9pm
- Concert at the Commons – Saturdays, June through August at Federal Hill Commons | 7pm – 10pm
- Fourth of July Fireworks Festival – Thursday, July 4th at Forest Park | 6pm – 10pm
- Tots Outdoors – Ongoing sessions throughout the summer
- The Hoosier State Learning Series – Ongoing sessions throughout the summer
For updated details, times, and new events, visit www.noblesvilleparks.org or follow us on Facebook at Noblesville Parks and Recreation.
Recommended Reading to Learn More
If you want to dive deeper into the benefits of nature and outdoor play for children, these books offer valuable insights:
Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom
How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson
Get Outside Guide by Nancy Honovich
The Nature Principle by Richard Louv
The Outdoor Scientist by Temple Grandin
Let Them Be Eaten by Bears by Peter Brown Hoffmeister
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Outdoor Kids in an Inside World by Steven Rinella
About the Author
I live in Noblesville with my husband and daughter, and spending time outdoors is central to who I am. Growing up, I worked many summers at Dudley Gallahue Valley Camp through Girl Scouts, where I discovered my passion for parks and recreation. My favorite body of water is the Bay of Fundy. Shades State Park is probably my favorite park in Indiana, but I would have to choose Dillon Park as my favorite Noblesville Park, although each park does have its own unique benefits. I recently became an Indiana Master Naturalist, and in my free time, I enjoy kayaking, gardening, and going on walks with my family.