May 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 48

of the outdoors, before getting back to the game. That's
all part of the magic. "
Research has shown that these interactive games are
not only a marvelously effective learning tool, but also
cause kids to play longer, harder and more often. In addition, parents can access a dashboard showing their
children's physical activity profile, and parks are provided with a wealth of data, including usage patterns, distance walked, and challenges engaged with and solved.

A child plays on a " smart playground " that uses app-based
games in conjunction with the equipment.

with the particular site, as well as locations of additional sites of interest (for an example of this technology,
visit
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK2z-TxHINM).
" We hope to work with local schools so they can use
this resource as a teaching tool through our website
and then actually visit the sites for an up-close experience, " Eichler adds.
In the past three years, augmented reality games have
also come to local playgrounds. More than 200 " smart
playgrounds " that use app-based games in conjunction
with playground equipment have been deployed across
the United States by a company called Play Biba. Whether
children are playing on Biba-powered equipment or equipment that has been converted into a smart playground,
their parents simply have to open up an app that allows
the children to play age-appropriate, interactive, imagination-fueled games. Other app-based games, such as Discovery Agents' " Mission Maker, " promote getting kids out
in nature and learning, and allow park staff to customize
" missions " based on the features of the park. These missions use geo-triggered content, and challenges may center
on the geographic landscape of a particular park.
" We work with local schools to create grade-specific
missions that are aligned with the schools' curriculum, "
says Ed Mastro, exhibit director at L.A.'s Cabrillo Beach.
" Our park becomes an extension of the classroom. I've
seen the 'a-ha' moments as the kids work through the
game and solve challenges. It's not tied to a teacher or a
classroom; it's tied to nature. And, you can see them getting distracted by the birds and flowers and other aspects
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Challenges of Implementation
The experts offer a number of EHVW practices for
implementing technology-based programs. Perhaps the
most universal is not to think the project·V complete
once it's operational. " These are not 'set it and forget it'
endeavors, " says Saferstein. " They must be SURSHUO\
maintained, DQG VKRXOG HYROYH WR VXLW WKH FKDQJLQJ
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Krafcik agrees. " Don't deem something a success just
because it's been implemented. Gather some data, analyze it and follow it through to an outcome - maybe
something as simple as assessing the success of a special
event, " he says. " But when you do that, you're integrating the new system into your workflow and really bringing the innovation to life. "
Perhaps the greatest obstacle is overcoming the resistance to change.
" Any new endeavor seems daunting at the beginning, "
says Diaz. " Technology especially can be overwhelming. So for us, the first step is always gaining knowledge,
which is one of the reasons it's so important for park
agencies to be in communication with one another.
Then we set attainable goals.
" But it really comes down to not being afraid to try
something. In L.A., our motto has always been to just
try it. If it doesn't work, what's the worst thing that happens? You just pull it back. But it might be fantastic and
engage park users and make parks more fun, interesting
and relevant, and that's what we're here to do. "

Tom Dellner is a Freelance Writer, based in Dana Point, California
(tdell@yahoo.com).

May 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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