Looking for a unique outdoor adventure for your kids?
Marty’s Playspace at Mequon Nature Preserve (8200 W. County Line Rd.) is a hidden gem perfect for families who love nature and imaginative play.
Located behind the PieperPower Education Center, this natural playground offers an unforgettable experience for children of all ages.
Best of all, it’s open to the public and free for everyone!
Enter a World of Natural Wonder
The fun begins as soon as you pass through the custom wooden door structure. Once inside, your little explorers will be greeted with a variety of nature-inspired play elements, including:
- Log Balance Beams: Test their balance on these rugged logs.
- 16-Foot Dragon Toy: A whimsical wooden dragon, perfect for climbing.
- Stone Turtle Sculpture: A large turtle made entirely from stones, a hit with curious kids.
- Log Steps & Climbing Beams: Get those muscles working with challenging log steps and a climbing beam.
- Hammock Station: Bring your own hammock and relax while the kids play.
- Human-Sized Bird Nests: Pretend to be a bird in these giant, nest-like structures.
- Shaded Areas & Climbing Rocks: Take a break in the shade or climb the rocks to enjoy the natural surroundings.
To make the experience even more enriching, a local Eagle Scout created two sensory boards that highlight different textures found in nature—an engaging and educational addition for kids to explore with their hands.
Sustainability at Its Core
What makes Marty’s Playspace even more special is its commitment to sustainability. Every material used in the playspace is natural and locally sourced, including:
- Pressure-Treated Lumber
- Green & White Ash Logs and European Alder from Mequon Nature Preserve’s land restoration projects.
- Ironwood Logs from nearby woodlots.
- Lannon Stone from Halquist Stone in Sussex, WI.
- Granite Boulders from northern Wisconsin.
This eco-friendly design not only blends seamlessly into the surrounding nature but also offers a hands-on way for kids to interact with materials that are part of their local environment.
Explore More of Mequon Nature Preserve
Marty’s Playspace is just the beginning of what Mequon Nature Preserve has to offer. You can also take a family hike through the preserve’s diverse landscapes, including wetlands, prairie, and emerging forest. Here are two must-see features:
- Observation Tower: Park at the lot on Swan Rd., then follow the trail around Pat’s Pond for a short walk to the tower. The climb is well worth the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Observation Platform at Streich Family Wetlands: For those interested in wildlife watching, park near the PieperPower Education Center and head to the Observation Platform along the wetlands. It’s a great spot to catch a glimpse of local wildlife in their natural habitat.
Plan Your Visit
Don’t forget to bring your own hammock for the hammock station, and pack some snacks to enjoy a picnic on one of the climbing rocks or shaded areas.
Happy exploring!
Related Post: 25 Must Visit Playgrounds Around Milwaukee
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
