Playground Guide - 2023 - 16

Playground Design Trends
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How today's playgrounds are changing how kids play
By Scott Roschi
arents who haven't been to a playground for decades might
be astonished by what they see when they take their little
ones to the local playground for the first time. They may be
struck by the sheer size of the equipment, with soaring towers
that dwarf the equipment they played on as kids. Bright, bold colors
may grab their attention even before they park their car. Less
linear, even abstract-looking equipment and Ninja Warrior-like
activity spaces can make the predictable and " manufactured "
equipment that they knew as children seem dull in comparison.
But today's playgrounds aren't designed just to be bigger, brighter,
bolder play spaces. A lot of thought, planning and science
goes into creating them. This is giving communities something
to cheer about - play spaces designed with different age groups
and abilities in mind, designs that encourage new ways of playing,
and equipment made from more sustainable materials. Here are
some of the trends driving the evolution of today's playgrounds.
A Greater Focus on How Kids See Playgrounds
Colors can make playgrounds visually appealing and unique,
but the strategic use of these design elements can influence
how and where kids play. Color is the first thing that kids and
adults alike see, and it can impact their moods and decisions.
Just look at the fast-food industry; it's known for its use of red
and yellow, colors that stimulate hunger and evoke feelings of
comfort. Similar thinking goes into the design of playgrounds,
as only colors are used to help direct play rather than trigger
cheeseburger cravings. For example, kids up to age 5 are attracted
to bright, saturated colors, which is why these hues
are used heavily in kindergarten classrooms and on toys. On
the playground, brightly colored equipment that's meant for
smaller bodies may attract children in this age group. Meanwhile,
kids who are older than 5 are typically attracted to less
saturated and more muted colors. You'll find elementaryschool
kids and even middle schoolers gravitate toward playgrounds
that use a more natural color palette.
One of the most stand-out features of today's playgrounds
is their sheer height. More and more, playgrounds are featuring
towers and slides that climb as high as 20 or even 30 feet.
These tall structures can be seen from a distance and get kids
excited about play before they're even on the playground. As
they approach these large structures, children can start to examine
them and think about how adventurous they want to
be to reach the top. Younger kids, for instance, may prefer taking
easier ways to the top, like an inside belt climber. But older
kids who are more physically developed may want to take a
more challenging route, like climbing up cargo nets along the
outside of the towers.
A Shift to User-Defined Play
Kids can be fiercely independent. So, it only makes sense that
playgrounds let children play how they want to play. There's
still great value in helping direct kids around playgrounds with
clearly defined paths of play. This approach can look something
like this: A child climbs up some stairs and encounters
One of the most stand-out features of today's playgrounds is their sheer
height. More and more, playgrounds are featuring towers and slides that
climb as high as 20 or even 30 feet.
16 Parks & Recreation | 2 0 2 3 PL A Y GROUND GUIDE | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES, INC.
Playground Guide - 2023

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