We've wrapped up with our fifth and final Nature Explore family! Mark and Beth Reimer have an interesting space that already has a number of trees and some interesting landscaping. It was a bit of a jungle the first time we visited. Beth explained it perfectly when she said, “It's like nature threw up in our backyard!”

Mark did a lot of work after our first visit, however, and now the yard is cleared and we were able to get a much better look at what we had to work with.

The very first thing we became aware of during our visit with the Reimers is their son's love of water. Luke, 3, loves to play with the hose! Mark and Beth said, when they're outside, if they can't find Luke, they just have to follow the hose and he'll be at the other end. Luke loves to make mud and has filled his sandbox with water.

Another thing we found out is that the Reimers would like more open green space. Right now, there isn't any green space in their yard that Claire, their 9-month-old daughter, can get down and crawl on. There is a lot of mud and not a lot of good ground cover.

There is an existing play structure in the space that will remain exactly where it is. Otherwise, the Reimers gave us permission to do whatever we believe needs to be done.

In addition to a water feature (or two), Luke is going to need a stage. During our second meeting with the Reimers, Luke stood on the picnic table and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen!” It was very cute, as well as telling!

The family is also looking to attract some wildlife. The space already attracts squirrels, butterflies, birds, cicadas and the occasional neighborhood cat. The Reimers want to make sure they continue to attract lots of wildlife. Beth said she'd like to see more monarch butterflies, humming birds, blue jays and cardinals, especially in the winter. Luke also really likes bees.

The Reimers are also interested in growing food. Beth likes to garden and suggested raised garden beds. They are most interested in tomatoes, peppers, root vegetables, pumpkins, strawberries, zucchini and squash.

Mark isn't afraid to work hard. He enjoys building things and would really like to build a treehouse for the kids. He said he has an idea for a spiral staircase. Tony found a kindred spirit!

There will be three entry points to the space, all using metal arches that were already in the yard when the Reimers bought the house. The Nature Art and Building & Construction areas will be the first areas inside the space. These areas need a lot of horizontal surfaces and storage and the flooring needs to be something more than turf grass or mulch. This area is close to the driveway.

Tony suggested putting up a willow fencing or other vertical elements to separate the area from the driveway.

Next, Tony chose a maple tree next to the Art area for the treehouse. He suggested that Mark not have the tree fully supporting the treehouse, but to have posts supporting one side of the treehouse.

A small group of evergreens will serve as a perfect place for the Messy Materials area. The pine needles the trees lose every year will serve as perfect loose parts.

Two small sand traps are perfect for Luke and Claire. Smaller spaces are more comfortable for the little people. It also allows for parallel play. Tony suggested, again, to dig the sand traps as deep as possible. This allows the kids to “dig to China” and it also lets them experience the temperature variances in the sand as they dig deeper.

The path through the space doesn't need to be well-defined but, if the Reimers want a more defined path, they can make pizza box stepping stones.

An open space will be created by transplant some of the existing plants and creating berms. Berms are great for toddlers, they help teach them balance.

A fire pit and patio will be added near the existing deck, which the Reimers plan to modify someday.

Raised planters will be put next to the fire pit and patio and the compost bin will be moved a little closer to the house and the planters.

The most important part of the space will be a Water Play, Dirt Digging and Sand Trap area all together. A cistern with a hand pump will give Luke all the water play he needs. It'll also give him the opportunity to make mud and fill up his sand trap with water.

The next most important spot in the space is going to be the Music & Movement Stage. This will be the focal point of the space. There will be stumps for seating around the stage and cover from the trees, which means there is no need to add anything else for cover. They could accentuate the space with fabric sails.

A secret garden path will give the kids a little bit of privacy. Living tunnels will guide them to the secret garden. Plantings will make the space feel private but the space can be seen from a supervision standpoint.

The space started out as quite the jungle but is shaping up to be a wonderful space! The Reimers are looking forward to bringing other families into the space and helping them learn more about residential playscapes.