Connecting children to nature through play, and fostering their relationship with nature is critical for development. This thesis explores the human relationship with nature, the history and significance of play, and the meaning of landscape, which identifies and defines the characteristics, benefits, and tangible & intangible elements for the nature play network. The nature play network is evaluated by constructing a matrix to compare patterns, and by applying the design framework to the Southern Highlands Reserve, located in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.