A robust emergence of outdoor nature-based play areas in several European, Australian, Asian countries, as well as North America Canadian provinces, has occurred recently. This study explored the rationale for and construction of different play zones and affordances for children at a United States Central Kentucky local arboretum and research forest. The study provided background information and guidance for constructing an outdoor nature-based play zone for various learning venues (e.g., nature centers, schools, city parks, day-care centers, etc.). The study used a convenience sampling technique wherein two planning personnel were interviewed during nine site visits (6 inperson; 3 virtual) for a total of nine hours of audio/video recordings. Exploratory qualitative methods were used to code planning documents and 114 pages of transcription. The data indicated five themes: organic relationships, play self-reflection, site research/experimenting, site accessibility/safety/risk affordance, and fiscal opportunities. This study outlined several factors (e.g., access, materials, use, personnel, risk, funding) to consider during the planning phase prior to construction as well as during the actual building phase. It also supported the idea of embracing "failure and change" in that some of the affordances may not work during or after construction.