A Bird’s Eye View of the Forest

Cross the swaying Suspension Bridge to the Bird’s Nest, scamper onto the Squirrel Scramble’s rope-netting skirting two towering trees, head to the top of the Wissahickon Vista platform for sweeping views and wander along the 450-foot long Canopy Walk rising four stories above ground level.

 

The Features of Out on a Limb

Canopy Walk - A 450-foot walk into the canopy of a mature, temperate forest, rising four stories above ground level. Squirrel Scramble -- Soaring almost 50-feet above the forest floor, you can climb on the rope netting surrounding two towering trees. Intended to be a little thrilling, even a little scary, but engineered to be completely safe, giving you the experience of an arboreal habitat. Bird’s Nest -- Sheathed of sustainably harvested hardwood branches, the bird's nest  allows children and adults to see trees as habitats and enjoy a bird’s eye view on the world below. Accessed by the swaying suspension bridge, you'll feel like you are traveling to an unknown place. Seed-to-Tree Sequence -- Graphic panels tell the story of how a powerful tree grows from a tiny acorn, leading you to an extraordinary 250+ year old chestnut oak, literally surrounded by the walkway. The Wissahickon Vista -- The journey ends at a platform 50-feet above the forest floor, letting you look out through the trees and down into the steeply sloped forest of the Wissahickon Valley.  This exceptional perspective provides views of both the forest and the Wissahickon Creek, illustrating the critical role trees play in the protecting our region’s water resources. Tree Pavilion -- Sitting at the center of the exhibit’s journey, this area contains enough space for 20 children and adults to engage in formal and informal learning activities. It also serves as a resting place while the more adventurous continue on to the Bird's Nest or Squirrel Scramble.

"Green" Facts Metcalfe Architecture & Design’s team incorporated the highest standard of tree and site protection throughout the entire design and construction of the Out on a Limb tree canopy walk. Click here to download a PDF of the Green Facts sheet.

About the Design - Notes from the Architect From an architectural standpoint, Alan Metcalfe, AIA, LEED AP, Principal of MA&D, created places that encourage people to stop, look, turn, move and linger – offering them a chance to “play” with something so familiar, yet see it in a new way. Collaborating with Morris Arboreteum’s Director, Paul Meyer and his knowledge of Chinese and Japanese garden design, Metcalfe broke the design into 30-foot lengths of walkway. Each 30-foot walkway terminates in a balcony with an exhibit or observation area. The zigzag journey forces a slower trip and asks visitors to stop, look, and physically engage with at surroundings. Metcalfe incorporated the idea of Chinese “moongates” that frame views in gardens and create a sense of transition at important spots.  The moongates are located at the pavilion entry and at the entry to the suspension bridge to a giant bird’s nest. The entrance of Out on a Limb features a tube shaped trellis designed to create a magical transition from standing on the ground to walking into the sky. Comprised of a series of 10-foot diameter wood hoops and covered with vines, it is modeled after a trellis from Versailles.

Forever Young Treehouses

Forever Young Treehouses is partnering with Metcalfe Architecture & Design to bring their expertise in creating accessible treehouses to Out on a Limb. Forever Young Treehouses specializes in the construction of treehouse for children and young adults with special needs, who are routinely confronted with barriers to fun and play in their daily lives. An accessible treehouse removes these obstacles, bringing people of all abilities together and closer to nature. Forever Young Treehouses are not only ADA-compliant, but also safe, unique in character and craftsmanship. Further, they use building methods that protect the health of the trees, echoing Morris Arboretum’s Tree Adventure central theme – we need trees and trees need us. Forever Young Treehouses brings a unique perspective to the Tree Adventure - Out on a Limb exhibit.