Nature Exploration Area Design Guide

This Playbook Design Guide is a handbook for designers to develop this unique landscape genre, nature exploration areas (NEAs), where children can immerse themselves in, create with and enjoy nature. The design guide is filled with ideas and resources that build on the vision of quality nature-based experiences in the NEA Playbook and San Francisco Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights 3 to enrich spaces for children throughout San Francisco. In developing this design guide, we studied: best practices from projects around the U.S. and the world; codes and guidelines; and research and advocacy related to fostering healthy and whole development of children and their right to access nature.