
It struck me that nature parks are an ideal place to come for a little world-building inspiration. Whether you’re looking for the sensory (sights, sounds, smells, textures) or extra-sensory (mood, atmosphere) experiences to add to your world-building tool box, nothing beats experiencing the real thing. Most cities have parks and recreation departments, and depending on the climate and geography in your area, it might be worth investigating. Be it a self-guided walk down the botanical garden path, a guided nature tour or a birding club outing, or even a hike in the desert or along a local creek; take a few minutes to stop and think about the feel of the locale. What are the sounds you hear when you stop and sit for a bit? Is there a breeze? What do you smell? When you look around you, what are the predominant colors, textures, and patterns? What is your mood in the place? Do you feel joyful? Uneasy? Relaxed?
Next time you need to do a little world building, think about looking for inspiration in your local nature park. Or better yet, take a hike.