Outdoor Discovery Center

Big, bold, expansive arches bloom on the Art Trail at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland. A playful sculptural line follows along the trail with undulating pieces crashing over the path, to the eye heading “underground” and seemingly GROWING back up. Regardless of your age, you’ll love running and playing in, under, and through the arches on this mile long trail. Along the way, you’ll find interactive modules and nested areas where you can be enclosed, sit, and soak in quality time with loved ones.

Arches jump up over the trail and crash down. These areas can be interpreted as an extension of the naturescape playground at the ODC. Tall arches cross over the path, providing a curious line of sticks inviting you to follow along in the journey.

Snap a pic and upload it here for a chance to be featured on the SCA Instagram AND for a chance to win a Saugatuck-Douglas prize package!

Each and every location was dreamed, brainstormed, problem solved, drafted, created, and built with your experience in mind.

1 year of planning | 4 months of building | Countless hours on zoom | A few friendly debates

Every installation in Spaces For Discovery is inspirited by children’s literature, the environment that surrounds it, and the people who interact with it.

Children's Literature Inspiration:

"Where The Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

The well known story Where the Wild Things Are inspired the installation at the Outdoor Discovery Center. The story focuses on a young boy named Max who, after dressing in his wolf costume, wreaks havoc through his household. Max is sent to bed without supper, and wishes himself to a different land, the land where the wild things are. His room transforms and he goes on a grand adventure, exploring the deepest corners of his imagination.

People of all ages can be inspired to be as wild, crazy, and playful as they dream of while exploring the arches, gathering areas, and artistic viewpoints through the Art Trail.

Location Inspiration:

Founded in 1999, the Outdoor Discovery Center Network (ODC Network) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. ODC Network believes that all people should understand the interactions between people, plants, animals and the environment, as well as the importance of conservation and wildlife management to improve our ecosystem(s) for the future. The ODC Network has nine divisions working towards a more nature-rich community.

Want to get more hands-on with this site? Interested in working directly with the artists? Join us at one of the Quad-Community events happening at the SCA!