Reconnect Communities with Nature Through Play
NatureGrounds is a National Demonstration Site (NDS) designation that integrates natural elements into outdoor play environments. As the exclusive Canadian partner, Park N Play Design helps communities create meaningful nature-based destinations that support play, health, and sustainability.
What Is a Nature Play NDS?
Recognized Spaces That Bring Nature Back to Childhood
This designation is based on best practices developed in partnership with NC State University's Natural Learning Initiative.
NatureGrounds blends the built environment with living landscapes to:
Increase the value and variety of play experiences
Support environmental literacy and stewardship
Foster imagination, creativity, and social interaction
Multisensory experiences for all users
Why This Matters
Children Can’t Protect Nature if They Don’t Play in it
Urban development and screen-based lifestyles have distanced children from outdoor experiences. Nature Play NDS projects help communities:
Reconnect children to the natural world
Support cognitive, physical, and emotional development
Create resilient, inviting, and sustainable public spaces
Reduce stress and encourage longer park visits for all ages
What You Get as an NDS
National Recognition with Local Impact
Featured listing on the National NDS map
Project of Excellence award + on-site signage
Initial Impact and Visitor Outcomes Reports
Support tools to highlight community health and environmental outcomes
Use Data to Champion Green Design
Prove the ROI of Active Play
Nature-based play environments deliver powerful community benefits—and now you can prove it. Your NDS reports help you:
Quantify local impact and visitor demographics
Share real user experiences and satisfaction
Advocate for long-term investments in naturalization
Promote your leadership in sustainability and public wellness
visitor satisfaction
of visitors stayed for 30+ minutes
in projected annual health savings
Want to Learn More About the NDS Program?
NatureGrounds helps you design outdoor spaces that connect children and families to the natural world. Download the NDS brochure to learn how naturalized play environments support deeper learning, community health, and environmental literacy.
Build a Nature Play Destination That Inspires and Heals
