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Tree Houses Grow Up

Posted by srobichaux on December 16, 2008
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David Wenzel Treehouse.jpgAs 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

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Comments

  1. bill allen
    December 16, 2008, 6:28 pm

    Treehouses for all is a good thing

  2. Rob Farrell
    December 17, 2008, 2:18 pm

    I’ve visited several of these treehouses. They’re crafted like a piece of fine furniture. The one in Scranton is off the charts!

  3. Carmella DeBiasi
    December 23, 2008, 9:50 am

    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.

  4. Jerry Conrad
    January 10, 2009, 1:47 pm

    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

  5. Nathan Ward
    January 11, 2009, 9:15 am

    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
    http://www.icemountainadventures.com

  6. Shane Redmond
    February 26, 2009, 8:18 am

    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

  7. Dan Wright
    April 25, 2009, 10:22 am

    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…

  8. The Agra Indian
    April 29, 2009, 3:23 pm

    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

  9. The Agra Indian
    April 29, 2009, 3:28 pm

    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

  10. Skeptic
    June 4, 2009, 3:24 am

    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.

  11. caleb a
    July 27, 2009, 3:42 am

    there is a 5 story one in crossville, tn too named the ministers tree house

  12. Tom
    September 1, 2009, 11:54 am

    Beyond amazing. Love these creative treehouses. I’d love to do my own awesome treehouse for my kid.

  13. Treehouse guy
    February 22, 2010, 10:05 pm

    That’s really neat looking. How much does something like that cost? Are they steel trees under there?

  14. Maria
    February 24, 2010, 6:06 am

    A wonderful shot of tree house, reminds me of my kid old days

  15. Tree House Materials
    February 27, 2010, 4:21 pm

    I’m really curious about those flashing wells around the trees that pass through the roof. They look perfect for allowing the trees room to sway and still integrating with the roofing. Are they available for sale, because I’d like to carry them in my tree house supplies store. Thanks for any information!

  16. Lisa Zook
    July 8, 2010, 7:47 pm

    I am looking for the article that featured my great Uncle Frank Cumberland he was a local artist and worked restoring paintings in the Capital in or around the 1950′s Would love to find out how to go about this if anyone can help in my search I would appreciate it!
    Thanks

  17. Inchirieri de masini Baneasa
    October 30, 2010, 12:53 pm

    These are some amazing tips and suggestions. I would definitely act on then. I hope they work for me too.