There’s going to be a new playground on the block at Beaver Meadow Preserve.
Those who have visited recently might be familiar with Woodland Way, our well-loved all-natural playground, just to the side of the front meadow.
Along with the slate of other recent improvements—such as our updated Trillium Nature Center, itself—Woodland Way is getting a bit of a remodel, as well. More than a bit, actually.
And once it’s completed, you’ll be able to enjoy a range of updated features—including accessible elements—on your next visit.
Thanks to the generous support of former New York State Senator Sean Ryan and Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, an Ontario-based leader in natural playground development, your kiddos—and who knows? Maybe even you, too—will be able to soar to the skies, climb and balance, and explore to their heart’s content.
Here’s a glimpse into what’s in store for Woodland Way.
The towering “giraffe swing,” as Bienenstock calls it, will no doubt be a highlight. More than six feet tall, its mammoth logs supporting its sides blend right in with the surrounding trees and scenery—all the while, inviting your child to hop in and fly upward. One of our favorite parts of this feature, in particular: It’s accessible, and encourages those of all abilities to join the fun.
True to their name, “wacky posts” will also dot the area: tall, thick, tree-like structures jutting up from the ground and inviting children to climb, get creative, and hone their dexterity and coordination—all while navigating through a new adventure.
To boot, another great feature of the playground will be the “climber.” Picture a series of criss-crossed logs intermingled with each other, so your little one can scurry across like a chipmunk, or to the side like a squirrel scaling its bark.
There are a few more features like these planned—like the tables, for instance, where children can discover and inspect nearby pinecones, rocks, and other interesting elements they come upon. Not everyone plays the same way, and the space’s design aims to invite them to play, discover, and explore, in their own way.
But what about the adults, coming along for the ride? There will be a space for you, too—providing the giraffe swing doesn’t entice you to bring out your inner kid again.
Flanked by two berms—hills, designed into the meadow—on either side, will be an accessible gathering nook, where you can take a load off in your own area, while still watching your littles playing safely. Along the newly-developed, accessible Trillium Trail, there will also be other seating options: near the climber and existing pavilion, with its accessible picnic tables.
While there’s still a bit of a ways to go with this project before you can hop on the climber or swing to the skies, a few priorities have, and will continue to be, central: access and landscape.
Different elements of this playground—from features to seating—are accessible, and invite visitors of all abilities to play, relax, and enjoy. Second, thanks to Bienenstock, the elements on this playground prioritize a natural look and feel. It seeks to blend in with the landscape as much as possible, for a natural continuation of what our visitors already love, with something brand new—not unlike all of the exciting developments underway and still to come.
Would you like to learn more
and support projects like these?
Consider making a donation to Buffalo Audubon! Your gift helps plant the seeds of play, learning, and exploring in the natural world, for years to come. Visit bit.ly/bassummergiving2026 to make a gift. Learn more about the project at bienenstockplaygrounds.com/portfolio/buffalo-audubon.
This story originally was published in the Fall 2026 edition of The Outlook, a birding and nature magazine by Buffalo Audubon. Read more stories from The Outlook magazine online, or upgrade to subscribe and receive printed editions mailed right to you.