Pine Island Nature Play Trail

05/20/2026

We’d love to see the photos you captured at Saturday’s Open House! Reply with them if you please :)

05/18/2026

We've had a few inquiries about some of the activities from the Open House.

Here's the recipe for the Dandelion Playdough: https://kansasdiscovery.org/dandelion-playdough-discovery-at-home/?fbclid=IwY2xjawR0E1hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEesNzOVHropz0xwpYipcv8WSBEAvz0o4LTXPZujXeD6sI4Uel7k_Wpz_j6W2M_aem_y4CNLguC84G4gbAAb9bd5Q

And here's the link to the Handheld Digital Microscope: https://www.amazon.com/Pozifu-1000X-Handheld-Microscope-Kids/dp/B0GD65CKWY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2V02I01B31QIF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fgnV_DCg5MxZsvaIKZi3pX0Nwu12R3uRO1EPhLOQfVD6FycxFfLM05ZbKvzrKYIJ9HkXpkZZFX9rT2s1j1sxN3cey1qVQPWvPsxEwIdFSjC0_TfaH87856GrUJWnxNJq7Je0LPUGq4g5Qs9T17gASGOTIfWHFB8eew-sXWq7rNFTUqXY8CVEnY7Tg2GRTc73lClYBwRBRq1y6svoL6ZuHgWZy3Glc35-QFqR1BiiEiw_sdyswlXDcFco9EzkNza7BATu762ZlAyw-I31bcn9TlWYxuzFRIeY-4yAGgGnlLg.CvgkMwXh69qzjW29xT9sPvJLYCUM9TqQZw1trT9-kdk&dib_tag=se&keywords=handheld%2Bdigital%2Bmicroscope&qid=1779124566&s=electronics&sprefix=handheld%2Bdigital%2Bmicroscope%2Celectronics%2C161&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Happy Exploring!

Pozifu 1000X Handheld Microscope for Kids: Pocket Digital Microscope with 1080P&2.0''IPS Screen&Photo/Video - Portable Edu Science Kits for Girls Boys - STEM Toys Birthday Gifts Ages 3-6 6-12(Orange)

05/17/2026

What a day! We have a lot to be thankful for…. Our local community organizations who sponsored activities and road crossings, The Farmers Market Ramblers for the awesome entertainment, our high school students who helped organize and run the day, Jonny Pops for donating yummy popsicles, and all of our vitiators who made the day and the trail come to life!

Congratulations to Brandi McCutcheon, the proud new owner of our mud kitchen!

05/16/2026

Today’s the day!!!’ The trail is calling 🙂
We are excited for sunshine, adventure, activity, music and memories! How to see you there!

05/14/2026

We are so excited for the Nature Play Trail Open House this Sunday from 4–6pm and want to give a HUGE thank you to the amazing community groups and individuals who are helping host activities during the event!

Thank you to:
✨ Nicole Mills Photography
✨ Pine Island Lions Club
✨ Pine Island Cub Scouts
✨ Nurture in Nature Occupational Therapy
✨ Miss Angie’s Place
✨ FCCLA
✨ Pine Island Scouts
✨ Farmer’s Market Ramblers
✨ And the students in the Roots and Shoots Environmental Club

Your excitement, creativity, and dedication to the Nature Play Trail mean so much to us. This trail has truly become a community treasure because of the support and involvement of so many incredible people and organizations.

We hope you’ll come out on Sunday from 4–6pm to explore the trail, enjoy activities, and celebrate this amazing community collaboration with us!

05/14/2026

As we get closer to our Nature Play Trail Open House, it’s time to give a huge THANK YOU to the amazing individuals, businesses, and community members who have supported this project along from the start!

🌿 Thank you to Middle River Tree Service for the continued donations of mulch and stumps for the trail.
🌿 Thank you to Custom Retaining Walls for donating pea gravel for the Excavation Station and Paddleboat Landing stations.
🌿 Thank you to Ken Kramer Enterprises for replacing the sides of the boat and being our general handyman on call.
🌿 And thank you to the many community members who have provided financial and material donations and encouragement throughout this journey.

The Nature Play Trail has been one heck of a project, and we truly would not be able to do what we do without the incredible support of our community. From transforming a buckthorn-filled area into a space for exploration, creativity, and outdoor learning, this trail has become something so special because of all of you.

We are incredibly grateful for every donation, every helping hand, and every word of support that has helped make this trail as awesome as it is. Thank you for believing in this project and in our students!

05/13/2026

WEATHER UPDATE!

Due to the forecasted thunderstorms, the Nature Play Trail Open House has been rescheduled to: Saturday, May 16 from 4:00–6:00 PM

We want everyone to be able to safely enjoy the trail, activity stations, and outdoor fun! Thank you for your flexibility and support of this student-created community space.

Come explore the trail, connect with local organizations, and celebrate all the amazing work our students in the Roots and Shoots environmental club have done to transform this space into a community treasure.

The Mud Kitchen raffle drawing will take place at 6:00 PM. You do not need to be present to win! We’ll also have other awesome prizes that will be raffled off throughout the event for those in attendance!

We hope to see you there — and hopefully with sunshine!

05/11/2026

Take a virtual walk through the trail with this amazing 360° video created by Thornlive Productions! If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Nature Play Trail yet, join us for the Open House on Sunday, May 17 from 1–3 pm and experience it in person.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RPB-_UUljw

It’s incredible to think that just two years ago, this area was overrun with buckthorn — and now it has been transformed into a beautiful space for play, learning, and exploration.

A 360 degree flight through the Nature Play Trail in Pine Island, MN. Take on 5/9/26 courtesy of Thornlive Productions L.L.C.

05/08/2026

We are so excited to have the Farmers Market Ramblers & Prairie Strings Band joining us for our Spring Open House on Sunday, May 17! We hope you'll join us for an afternoon of fun, adventure, music and memories!

04/29/2026

You’re Invited!

Join us for the PIHS Roots & Shoots Environmental Club Spring Open House of the Nature Play Trail!

Sunday, May 17 from 1:00–3:00 PM

Bring your family and come explore all the fun our Nature Play Trail has to offer!

Highlights include:
• Exploring the trail and interactive play stations
• Hands-on enrichment activities for kids
• Plant sale
• Live performances by the Farmers Market Ramblers
• Raffle drawing featuring a custom-built Mud Kitchen and other nature/outdoor-themed prizes

Come celebrate nature, play, and community with us—we hope to see you there!