Why Investing in Playgrounds is Essential for Schools and Public Spaces

If you’re involved in making plans for a plot of outdoor space, you might be wondering whether it’s worth putting in a playground. Whether you’re designing an office park, school, or shared public space, you want to weigh the benefits against the cost of equipment and labor. In fact, a playground might not seem that important when kids have so many toys, devices, and activities at their disposal. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth: playgrounds are vital.

The important thing to understand is that playgrounds aren’t just about entertaining or distracting children during downtime. Rather, they are crucial tools in the development of healthy young brains and bodies, and in learning necessary relational skills. They also create community in a way that few other environments do, at least in the United States. Here’s a closer look at all ways that investing in playgrounds is well worth the investment, and how to do it right.

Keeps Kids and Adults Healthier 

Playgrounds aren’t just about frivolous activity-time; they play a crucial role in the children’s cognitive and physical development. Most commercial playground equipment structures are designed to promote critical physical functions like motor coordination, strength, balance, and cardio fitness. The various ways that children interact with the playground promote mental skills like problem-solving, risk assessment, memory, attention, and critical thinking.

However, playgrounds don’t just make kids healthy, which is why they’re extra important for all kinds of public spaces. Playgrounds encourage adults to get off their phones or computer, spend time outdoors in the sunshine, and ideally get active with their children. Even better, some have designated fitness equipment nearby that encourages parents to exercise alongside their kids. If nothing else, everyone gets outside to breathe something other than recycled office air.

Makes Communities Stronger 

Americans are spending less time than ever in public spaces — even in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. According to recent research, even the country’s most pedestrian-friendly places are spending half as much time lingering in public spaces. That’s a big problem: fewer open spaces also equals fewer open minds. Americans are spending a lot less time being exposed to different people from different backgrounds and perspectives.

At a time when the country is already so divided, this can further heighten tensions and strain relationships. If you don’t know the folks next door, it’s easier to conceptualize them as your enemies, and vote or take action against their interests. Playgrounds can provide one of the few public spaces where people come together regularly in support of a common good: their children’s wellbeing. This can, in turn, breed investment in a better future for the collective.

Benefits Local Businesses 

In European cities, there’s a clear business case for having more playgrounds: where there’s a playground, there are also several cafes and shops nearby. In many cities, you’ll even find a bar, cafe, or restaurant right next to the playground, bringing businesses traffic and adults space to socialize. In the U.S., however, playgrounds are often isolated — too far to walk to from business districts, and sometimes only accessible only by car.

As a planner or developer, you can change that by investing in more playgrounds at or near schools and in public spaces. Where it’s possible within zoning laws, placing playgrounds near local businesses can draw more traffic to both. The result is mutually beneficial: more traffic for neighborhood bookshops, grocery stores, and cafes, and a shared third place for folks to gather. The result is a more economically prosperous community, with happy, engaged citizens.

Promotes Inclusivity 

One thing about playgrounds — especially modern playgrounds — is that just about everyone can use them. When playgrounds are designed for inclusivity, they enable all types of kids (and adults) to participate. The right surfaces and structures can make it possible to enter with wheelchairs and other mobility aids, for example. Clear signage, tactile elements, and other adaptations can make playgrounds accessible for even more users.

Why is that important? Well, again, it comes back to needing more spaces where people from all walks of life can congregate. Creating these spaces opens up economic opportunities, promotes public health, and improves interpersonal connections and mental well-being in a city’s citizens. When all of these factors come together, they lead to happier, healthier, and more robust communities. Inclusive, accessible infrastructure is an investment in your local economy.

Can Support Sustainability 

One last, unexpected benefit of playgrounds in schools and public spaces is that they can support sustainability. This is especially true where they replace otherwise wasteful or high-emissions uses of land like parking lots and factories. Many newer playgrounds are built with recycled or recyclable materials, like post-consumer plastics. Some innovative designers are also working with fallen trees, boulders, and other natural structures right from the local environment.

However, even playgrounds that utilize traditional materials like metal and rubber can still be environmentally beneficial. They still crowd out more cars, open up more space for plants and animals, and encourage walking and bicycle use. Remember, public spaces aren’t just for people; they’re also for furry or feathered friends. Trees, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, insects, and worms can’t live inside stores, offices, or schools, but they can make their homes near the playground.

The ROI on PLAY 

Investing in playgrounds at schools and in public spaces means happier people, more spending on local business, and often more tax revenue over time. By creating more welcoming, enjoyable, and interconnected spaces, you’re bringing lifeblood into your community. In the long run, this grows more health and wealth, which goes right back into schools, families, and local business and government. The returns on that kind of investment are priceless.

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