As a kid, didn't you want a tree house - a little getaway all your own? I surely did, and growing up in south Louisiana, I always thought the centuries-old oak trees would make for a perfect perch. To this day I've yet to climb into a tree house, but thanks to Forever Young Treehouses, anybody can have the experience.Bill Allen and Phil Trabulsy, co-founders of the nonprofit organization, started their project after hearing an older woman reminisce about her own childhood playhouse, as they were building one in her area. "Gradually, as we neared completion, she started asking us questions about how we were going to get in and she urged us to build stairs rather than a ladder because young kids would need to have handrails to hold onto," says Bill. "We knew that really, she wanted in, and that made us think about access. The next thought was, why not kids in wheelchairs?"
Forever Young's goal is to have a tree house in every state, complete with a ramp so that the young-at-heart of all ages can enjoy nature with a bird's-eye view. To date, Forever Young has completed 28 universally accessible tree houses, including those in schools, camps, and for Make-a-Wish kids. Eight of these three houses are open to the public daily.
Check out the list after the jump to find one in your area.
The Desert Museum, Tuscon, AZ
Charles Wilson Park, Torrance, CA
Citizens Park, Barrington, IL
Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati, OH
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA
Oakledge Park, Burlington, VT
Photo by Jason DeBiasi; The Forever Young Treehouse in Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA
Charles Wilson Park, Torrance, CA
Citizens Park, Barrington, IL
Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati, OH
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA
Oakledge Park, Burlington, VT
Photo by Jason DeBiasi; The Forever Young Treehouse in Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA
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Treehouses for all is a good thing
I've visited several of these treehouses. They're crafted like a piece of fine furniture. The one in Scranton is off the charts!
Please send me the issue date for the magazine this article (Tree Houses Grow Up)appeared in and purchase for multiple copies information as well.
Thank you.
I'm trying to set up a conference call between Bill Allen and General Jack Woodall (Ret) regarding the 2nd Infantry Division. Can you help me?
Jerry Conrad
231-719-1986
Tree houses are too fun! If you're ever headed to East Africa on a wildlife safari (and have a lot of money) you can check out these luxury tree houses - Lake Manyara Tree Lodge in Tanzania. They are super stylie and 5 star.
The downside is that they are not really too high off the ground and others have said that there are not too many animals right near the lodge.
Nathan
www.icemountainadventures.com
I thinks its really nice that people are making treehouses for handicapped people. and they dont have restrictions and they can be a normal kid chillen in his and or her treehouse
Fantastic work, guys!
I saw the Nay Aug Tree House a couple years ago and it's a fine piece of work. It was also great to see the crew at work at Longwood Gardens last spring when we were helping Treehouse Workshop with the cathedral.
We're a much smaller company but we try to give by volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation... Tree Houses are one of the more common wishes that kids make. If we keep putting people in trees I can't help but think that the world will be better for it. Keep up the good work...
Tree houses are crafted like furniture still they are great work of art, expensive but adventures.
Is there any tree house in Jim Corbett Nation Park in India?
Agra India
Tree houses are crafted like furniture still they are great work of art, expensive but adventures.
Is there any tree house in Jim Corbett Nation Park in India?
Agra India
Kind of strange that all these killer places are in democratic strong hold districts. We've been trying to get a few million for the salton sea here in sorry ole southern eastern part of california since the 1950's. We have photo op Bob Filner her now as a democrat, but he coulnd get us crap from that 700 billion dollar stimulas bill!
Sux not to have a real rep.
there is a 5 story one in crossville, tn too named the ministers tree house
Beyond amazing. Love these creative treehouses. I'd love to do my own awesome treehouse for my kid.