If you've ever wondered, "how can I make sure our park meets the needs of everyone?" there is an easy answer - programming! With the right programs and events, your park can be a major attraction that provides much-needed services to everyone.
Read on and learn six ways to program your park to increase usage and support the needs of children and families.
What benefits and accommodation does your park provide? Take a look at the amenities you have and think about your park and playground's type of audience. That will help you determine the right programming to offer. Here are some questions you should ask:
Once you answer these questions, you can plan your park programming. Here are six types of programming to consider.
Experts recommend 60 minutes or more of moderate physical activity each day for children. Daily exercise also improves academic achievement and enhances every area of a child's life.
In fact, educators see the benefits of their students’ play and recess time. Playful students have greater focus and perseverance. Playgrounds allow students to be more active during the school day and offer play and recreation time for nearby residents when school is out.
Ensure your playground includes a variety of swinging, sliding, spinning, climbing, and balancing equipment. Curriculum and activity guides like Play On!, created by PlayCore in partnership with SHAPE America, offer 125 activities for pre-K children through 5th grade.
Some other ideas to increase physical activity on your playground include:
Spending time at play in nature is proven to improve a child's mental well-being. A playground serves as a place where families connect with and learn about nature. It's also a fun way to learn about the natural world.
When you incorporate nature into your playground, you teach kids all kinds of things, such as the different kinds of plants and trees, the stages of plant growth, and the importance of photosynthesis.
Adding a walking and biking path around your playground is a great way to encourage people to enjoy nature. People will see more of the surrounding natural environment and get some physical activity at the same time.
A walking and biking path is a great place for parents to play games with their kids, encouraging them to observe the natural surroundings like “I Spy” or “Hide and Go Seek.”
A playground should be a place where kids of all abilities can come together and have fun. Create a space where all children’s needs are considered. Provide activities that support physical, mental, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory development.
You may already have an inclusive playground. You can take inclusion a step further by hosting community events and programs that raise awareness about disabilities and social equity.
Playgrounds are a great place for an outdoor classroom! When learning is combined with playing, kids can deepen their understanding of skills and concepts. Many common subjects in school can be taught outdoors, such as math and music, languages and vocabulary, and science concepts such as biology and physics.
Some ideas for outdoor learning events and activities include:
A playworker is someone who assists, encourages, and enhances play to make sure all kids who visit a playground are safe and have fun. Playworkers can provide a safer play space in general and can intervene to avoid crises.
Over the years, there have been fewer playworkers on public playgrounds, but there is a growing effort to bring them back into use. For example, New York City employs college students during the summer to staff their playgrounds, and Oklahoma City has implemented a very successful playleader program.
Another possibility used by some cities is to use retirees as volunteers on playgrounds. Whoever you decide to use as playworkers on your playground must be trained in supervision, playground safety, maintenance, and play facilitation.
Parks and playgrounds are ideal places for community activities and events! Whether it’s a birthday party, a reunion, or an end-of-school party, a well-designed playground or recreation area is the perfect venue.
Things to consider:
It's important to help people see your park or playground as a valued and vital part of your community. Remember to make sure your playground’s programs and activities encourage physical activity, get kids engaged with nature, are inclusive to everyone, and have playworkers on-site to keep everyone safe and happy!
If you have questions about creating a fun, active, and beneficial park and recreation space, contact the GameTime play expert in your neighborhood.