Whimsical themes, raised beds, touch and sniff plantings, and a tree house made of Michigan white cedar attract families to the universally accessible 4-H Children’s Garden on the MSU campus in East Lansing. On the theory that good ideas bear repeating, this spring Raven Hill Discovery Center will build its own accessible tree house in East Jordan. Anyone who’s ever fantasized about the perfect leafy hideaway is invited to contribute suggestions. Master woodworker Andre Poineau will create the final design.

Raven Hill’s tree house will be approximately 15′ x 15′, but not necessarily square, and will perch on a platform suspended eight feet above the ground by cables attached to four trees.  There might be a ramp – there might be a lift – there might be a cable car.  It will be accessible for wheelers, but the final design is up in the air . . .  (Sorry – couldn’t resist.)  This will not be an ordinary tree house.  Expect features that demonstrate principles of sound, light, motion, simple machines and nature.  Look for design elements in handcrafted glass, clay, metal, wood, fiber and stone. 

The project is funded in part by a challenge grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Raven Hill must match the $6,300 grant with $12,600 in cash and in-kind contributions.  Lots of volunteers will help build the tree house in May.  You could be one of them.

There’s a lot more information about the project on the Raven Hill website. Please call Director Cheri Leach at 231.536.3369 if you have any questions.