Park Place Recreation Designs, Inc. blog

How Inclusive Playgrounds Support Cognitive, Social & Physical Growth

ppradmin — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:43:25 GMT

Playgrounds have always been places of laughter, imagination and energy, but today, they’re also powerful environments for development, connection and inclusion.

At Park Place Recreation Designs, Inc., inclusive playground design goes beyond accessibility. It creates opportunities for every child to grow cognitively, socially and physically in a space where everyone belongs.

So what makes inclusive playgrounds so impactful? And why are more communities prioritizing them than ever before?

Let’s explore how inclusive play environments shape healthier, more connected and more capable kids.

What is an Inclusive Playground?

An inclusive playground is thoughtfully designed to welcome children of all abilities, physical, cognitive, sensory and social, into one shared space. It ensures that no child is left watching from the sidelines.

But true inclusion goes beyond ADA compliance. It’s about creating meaningful play experiences, where every child can actively participate, interact and thrive.

Research shows that inclusive play environments support physical, cognitive, emotional and social development simultaneously, making them one of the most effective tools for whole-child growth.

Why Inclusive Playgrounds Matter More Than Ever

Inclusive playgrounds aren’t just “nice to have,” they’re essential.

Only 21% of children in the U.S. aged 6 to 17 meet the guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Playgrounds can increase moderate-to-vigorous activity by up to 28% when well-designed.
Many playgrounds are still significantly less accessible for children with disabilities.

At the same time, parents overwhelmingly recognize the value of inclusive play, with many parents noting that playgrounds help children learn inclusion and empathy. Inclusive playgrounds help close these gaps, bringing more kids into active, meaningful play while fostering stronger communities.

Cognitive Growth: Learning through Play

Play is one of the most powerful forms of learning and inclusive playgrounds are designed to maximize it.

Through exploration, children develop:

Problem-solving skills (navigating structures, figuring out movement)
Creativity and imagination through pretend play
Language and communication through interaction
Sensory processing through textures, sounds and motion

Outdoor play has been shown to stimulate speech, cognition and both fine and gross motor skills, all at once.

Inclusive playgrounds enhance this even further by offering multi-sensory experiences, from tactile panels to musical elements, allowing children to learn in ways that suit their unique abilities.

Even better? Learning happens naturally. Kids don’t feel like they’re being taught. They’re simply having fun.

Social Growth: Building Friendships & Empathy

Playgrounds are one of the first places children learn how to interact with others and inclusive playgrounds make those interactions more meaningful.

They help children develop:

Communication and cooperation
Conflict resolution and teamwork
Emotional awareness and empathy
Respect for differences

Studies show that inclusive play environments foster stronger social skills and positive relationships, especially when children of different abilities play together.

In fact, many adults with disabilities cite a lack of social skills as a barrier later in life, skills that are often developed during early play experiences.

Inclusive playgrounds give children the opportunity to:

Learn from one another
Build friendships across differences
Feel seen, valued and included

That’s not just good for kids, it’s good for entire communities.

Physical Growth: Strength, Coordination & Confidence

Physical development is one of the most visible benefits of playgrounds, but inclusive design ensures every child can participate.

Key physical benefits include:

Improved balance, coordination and strength
Development of gross motor skills
Increased daily physical activity
Better overall health and reduced risk of chronic disease

Research confirms that children with access to playgrounds show increased physical activity and improved motor skills, both linked to better long-term health outcomes.

Inclusive playgrounds often include:

Ramps and accessible pathways
Ground-level play components
Adaptive swings and motion equipment
Varied challenge levels for different abilities

This allows children to engage at their own pace, building confidence as they go.

Emotional Growth: Confidence, Independence & Belonging

Inclusive playgrounds do something powerful: they create a sense of belonging.

Children who feel included are more likely to:

Build self-confidence
Take healthy risks
Develop independence
Experience positive emotional well-being

Inclusive play has been shown to boost self-esteem and confidence while reducing isolation, especially for children with disabilities.

And for children without disabilities, these environments foster:

Greater empathy
Understanding of differences
Stronger emotional intelligence

Play becomes more than just an activity. It becomes a connection.

Inclusive Playgrounds Strengthen Communities

Inclusive playgrounds don’t just benefit children. They bring people together.

They create:

Multigenerational gathering spaces
Opportunities for families of all abilities to connect
Stronger, more inclusive neighborhoods

When designed thoughtfully, playgrounds become community hubs where everyone can participate, not just observe.

Designing for True Inclusion

At Park Place Recreation Designs, inclusive playgrounds are designed with intention, ensuring every element supports engagement, accessibility and meaningful play.

Key features often include:

Sensory-rich experiences (visual, tactile, auditory)
Equipment that encourages cooperative play
Quiet spaces for children who need a break and areas of shade
Clear pathways and accessible layouts
Activities that challenge and engage all ability levels

Because inclusion isn’t just about access, it’s about experience.

The Future of Play is Inclusive

As communities continue to prioritize health, equity and connection, inclusive playgrounds are becoming the new standard, not the exception.

They help children:

Move more
Learn more
Connect more
Grow more

And most importantly, they ensure every child has the opportunity to play.

Where Every Child Belongs

Inclusive playgrounds are more than just spaces. They are environments where growth happens in every direction.

From cognitive development and physical strength to social connection and emotional confidence, the benefits are far-reaching and lifelong.

At Park Place Recreation Designs, the mission is simple: Create spaces where every child can play, grow and belong.

Ready to bring inclusive play to your community? Contact us today to design a playground that supports every child, because when play is inclusive, everyone wins.

Playgrounds are back in San Antonio! - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 21:05:42 GMT

We are so excited that playgrounds, skateparks, fitness equipment and sports fields are now open in San Antonio! The weather is gorgeous too so grab your mask, get out there and have some fun!

The Nuts and Bolts of Designing Outdoor Classrooms - Park Place Recreation Designs

ppradmin — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:39:29 GMT

If there is ever a year that your district’s students could use the mental peace, cognitive rebalancing and relative freedom that outdoor classrooms can provide, it has to be 2020. And it’s an idea that is gaining traction across the country. Green Schoolyards America (GSA) and their partners have organized a national COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative around the idea of using campus grounds, parks and other outdoor areas as learning assets this fall.

If your district is considering development of outdoor classrooms at any campus or grade level – preschool and elementary on through high school — here are some points to keep in mind for the design and planning stages.

Designing Your Classrooms

Teaching and learning are served best when each classroom is designed for the specific needs of each campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and the available space. While the standard “outdoor classroom” is often built loosely around the concept of an amphitheater or a ring of seats, part of the design process is envisioning how the space will support the curriculum and other educational concepts.

Depending on existing amenities, a campus may not need a whole new development as much as a targeted renovation in order to create an outdoor classroom. Areas that are ripe for renovation include unused parking structures or lots, underutilized gardens and/or walking paths, bare courtyards, etc. Some campuses may have play areas or fenced areas that could be developed for multipurpose use. The question becomes, how can different elements of this space and our design support different roles throughout the day?

Around the country, outdoor spaces have already been designed to serve a variety of needs. For instance, an outdoor classroom can be a living science laboratory with storm water collection and garden zones; one class period later, a foreign-language class sends small groups throughout the enclosed space playing variations of “I Spy.” A stately old oak can be the source of inspiration in art class and the shade for reading class. Clipboards replace desks while students use pebbles and seeds as the starting point for math problems.

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative has developed a truly excellent resource for planning your outdoor classroom design. The guide lists many points to consider during the planning phase, including:

What will the classroom’s entry point look like – will it be gated or open?
How will teachers use the space – will they have the whole class meet at once, in one spot? Will there be teacher demonstrations? etc.
How will students move through the space – will they work individually or in small groups? Will they sit, stand, or both?
What materials will form the “floor” and “ceiling”?
What kind of seating will be needed?
What adaptations should be made to support the acoustics?
How will the space accommodate accessibility requirements?
How can you add even more flexibility to support different learning styles and different curricula?

As an additional consideration, planning for the maintenance of your outdoor classrooms is essential during the design process. Some daily maintenance tasks can be handled by students or classes as part of the educational process, but can other necessary procedures be handled by your maintenance or grounds crews? Will you need community support?

Selecting Materials

Any materials used in outdoor learning spaces should meet your district’s standard criteria for high educational value, low maintenance, sustainability and longevity. Some materials can be as simple as painted asphalt – but before selecting other materials, it will be important to consult with the professionals. Shade, for instance, is critical to any outdoor installation in Texas; you’ll need recommendations on which materials provide the most protection and hold up well over time. Surfacing will be another concern, particularly when meeting accessibility criteria. Even seemingly simple amenities like seating, picnic tables, and waste receptacles can vary widely in their cost-effectiveness, durability and appropriateness for your needs.

At Park Place Recreation, we’d like to point out that we’re part of your community too, and we’d love to help. We’ve been building creative, safe, long-wearing and cost-effective playgrounds and play spaces for organizations around South Texas for almost 40 years. We can work with any budget and are experienced in finding ways to meet the special requirements of every project. We’re a TXMAS-approved vendor and a member of the Buyboard, and we can provide a “Buy American” certificate for anyone purchasing equipment under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts about your outdoor classroom needs.

The Developmental Benefits of Outdoor Learning - Park Place Recreation Designs

ppradmin — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 05:26:06 GMT

As we’ve noted in a previous blog post, the idea of outdoor classrooms isn’t new – but it may seem like it to your district’s parents, officials and even some staff members. To help everyone get more comfortable with the concept, here’s a quick summary of recent research into the benefits of outdoor learning.

Child Development

What if simply spending more time outside, even in a learning environment, could support kids’ healthy psychological development?

Plenty of research says it can. In one of the largest studies, Danish researchers used satellite imagery to determine how much greenery almost one million schoolchildren encountered in and around their homes. They found that children who grew up around the lowest levels of vegetation had a 30-percent higher risk of “a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders,” even after researchers adjusted for the effects of family health history and socioeconomic status. These children were also at higher risk for mood disorders and substance abuse.

These findings are similar to those from studies of children living in the United States, for example:

The psychological impact of life stresses (like bullying) was lower among children with higher access to nature than among those with little access to nature. Like the Danish study, the link held even after accounting for other variables.
For children with ADHD, a 20-minute nature walk provided a boost in concentration “roughly equal to the peak effects of two typical ADHD medications,” indicating that “doses of nature” might serve as a safe, inexpensive, and widely accessible new tool for managing ADHD symptoms. Only the walk in a green space provided the results; walks of similar length in quiet urban areas didn’t have the same effect.

School Performance

But will kids really absorb lessons taught outside, even through the novel situation and all the potential distractions?

Researchers developed an experiment specifically to address that question. They asked teachers to present a 10-week life science curriculum to each of their classes. Every week, teachers taught one lesson outdoors in a green space. On a different day that same week, teachers also taught indoors a second life science lesson, carefully designed to match the outdoor lesson. Students consistently showed more engagement immediately after returning from the outdoor lesson; specifically, researchers noted “the number of redirects after a lesson in nature was roughly half (54 percent) that of redirects after a classroom lesson.”

Other studies have found the following:

Students do better at motivating themselves to learn when taught in an outdoor setting, no matter their gender or school culture. Researchers speculate it’s because the students enjoy the increased relevance of the lessons and the hands-on experience that is often part of outdoor learning.
Students who take classes outside enjoy the experience and show a higher degree of long-term knowledge retention.
Finally, a study analyzing 13 previous studies on learning in outdoor settings concluded that outdoor education can promote students’ social, academic, physical and psychological development.

As an added bonus, there is evidence that not only students but teachers can benefit from the outdoor learning experience. In an era when teacher shortages are common and retention is important, adding an outdoor classroom could play a role in reducing teachers’ stress levels and rejuvenating their own attention and engagement.

Health Impacts

As we’ve already noted, outdoor learning has been linked to improvements in students’ mental health, but it can also be linked to improved physical health as well. Researchers generally recognize a correlation between time spent outside and higher levels of physical activity, even outside of school hours. For instance, one study of a European “forest school” found that children were more active (as measured by pedometers) on outdoor learning days, when their sedentary time dropped from around three-quarters to a third of their school day. More physical activity has obvious benefits in the war against childhood obesity.

Preschool and elementary school age children also see benefits in their motor skill development such as strength, balance and coordination. Perhaps an article in the Atlantic about preschool outdoor learning programs summarizes it most succinctly:

“Give young kids the opportunities to engage in… the natural world, and they develop just as organically as any other creature. They learn creativity as they explore and engage with complex ecological systems — and imagine new worlds of their own. Freed from playground guardrails that constrain (even as they protect), kids build strength, develop self-confidence, and learn to manage risks as they trip, stumble, fall, hurt, and right themselves. Research shows that the freedom of unstructured time in open space helps kids learn to focus. It also just feels good: Nature reduces stress.”

The Developmental Benefit to Your School District

Now we can take a closer look at social development – and not just of students, but of the community as a whole. Students develop important social skills when playing outside with their peers. However, a formal outdoor learning program can engage entire families, increasing their connection to the school. Because outdoor activities may need more volunteers, parents and community members are encouraged to get involved with student learning. These stronger bonds can lead to greater community support for each campus and for the school district as a whole.

If your school board, parent-teacher organization or any other group wants to learn more about what it would take to create the perfect outdoor classrooms for your district, give us a call at Park Place Recreation Designs.

We are a commercial-grade park and playground equipment consulting and design firm that, for almost four decades, has provided South Texas with safe, durable and competitively priced playspaces that address children’s developmental needs. We can put our extensive knowledge and creativity toward answering any questions you have and adapting any space to meet both your outdoor learning needs  and the requirements of your budget.

Park Place is a TXMAS-approved vendor and a member of the Buyboard, and we can provide a “Buy American” certificate for anyone purchasing equipment under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Take It Outside! Part 2: Could Your District Make Outdoor Classroom Ideas Work? - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:56:55 GMT

In  a previous  blog post, we examined the case for outdoor  classrooms and why  this fall is  the perfect time to consider  outdoor  classroom  ideas  for  your  school  district. Now, let’s take a look at the practical considerations  in deciding  whether your district can implement  outdoor  classrooms.

Where  could you put  an outdoor classroom? 

This seems like the best place to start  an  exploration  of outdoor learning  ideas. Fortunately, an outdoor learning space can be tucked almost anywhere: in existing gardens, on lawns, in courtyards, even over asphalt (now that many districts are limiting visitors, unused parking lots, anyone?). Campuses without a lot of extra outdoor space may want to consider inquiring about using nearby parks. The main calculation is  to determine  how many square feet your classroom should be, taking into consideration average class size and social distancing needs.

What  exactly  would you need?  

The design of any learning space is likely to be contingent on the location. While a few hay bales for seating could suffice for  a  preschool  reading class under a spreading oak tree, the needs will be different for an elementary school  biology class in the gardens or a conversational foreign-language class in a corner of the high school parking lot.

That said, almost any class that can take place indoors can be considered for class outdoors, if you plan for the following:

Seating:  Just like in an indoor classroom, having comfortable and appropriately sized seating is important to keeping students  interested and engaged. Portable  tables and benches can provide flexibility while surface mount benches and tables offer a more permanent solution.
Shade: Shade canopies can be configured in a variety of ways to provide crucial protection from the elements. Today’s long-wearing shade  fabrics block up to 98 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays and  keep the  surfaces they protect up to 20 degrees cooler – and  the cooler children are, the easier  it will be to focus on outdoor learning.
Safety:  The usual requirements  must be modified  for  outdoor  purposes, including a plan for  inclement  weather. For preschool  and elementary  school  outdoor classrooms, there will likely need to be restrictions around  students leaving the class area or  playing with sticks,  insects, etc.
Storage: Teachers will need a place nearby to store their teaching aids and class supplies – and probably also a way to easily transport items back and forth.  Depending on classroom location, this could be anything from inside storage closets to outdoor storage sheds. You’ll also want to have extra trash and recycling receptacles nearby.
Self-directed learning: Part of the benefit of being outside is to increase students’ opportunities to actively participate in decisions about their own learning. These decisions could  include  anything from the practical activities of growing food to meteorological  observations to  finding  exactly the  floral  inspiration they need for art class.

Who  will staff  your outdoor classrooms? 

Now we come to  another complication school districts are facing this fall: Socially distanced classrooms can mean a need for more teaching staff as the teacher-to-student ratio drops. One suggestion is to  find a way to involve  outdoor educators who may be available due to closures caused by the pandemic. This includes workers from national parks, museums, science centers, and other learning locations. For example, the Lawrence Hall of Science conducted a  survey  of the nonformal  education sector in April;  close to 1,000 organizations from 49 states and the District of Columbia responded, and they  expected to furlough  30,000 staff  members  through the end of  this  calendar year.

How  often should  outdoor classrooms  be used?  

As referenced above, the weather could play an important role in this question, even in a fairly temperate zone like Texas. Much like schools have rainy-day policies for taking recess indoors, each campus with an outdoor classroom would need a plan for  where to hold class in the event of bad weather.

However, weather permitting, outdoor learning spaces could be used anywhere from one or two class periods a week to being scheduled for every period, every day. The exact schedule would depend on the needs of each campus and the number of classes that could reasonably transition outside.

Speaking of time frames this fall,  have you heard of the annual  Outdoor Classroom Day? This fall’s international celebration is scheduled for Nov. 5. Its creators remind us that, even before the  coronavirus pandemic, over half of children worldwide were  spending  less than an hour  outside every day, even though time outside can have a profound impact on  their  physical and mental health. Your district – and your students — may benefit from experimenting with outdoor learning options on that day, if not sooner.

Getting the  Input  You Need 

“Obviously, transitioning to [outdoor classrooms] comes with challenges in terms of liability, curriculum flexibility and so on,”  observed  reporter  Ginia Bellafante  in her  New York Times  article on  the history of  outdoor classes. “But the reality of losing a generation of students to the deficiencies of Zoom seems much more troubling.”

If you’re interested in getting more concrete advice on how your district could set up outdoor classrooms on any of its campuses,  contact us  at Park Place Recreation Designs. We are a commercial-grade park & playground equipment consulting & design firm with 35+ years  of  experience providing South Texas with safe, durable and competitively priced equipment designed to address children’s developmental needs.  We can put our extensive knowledge and creativity toward any questions you have and adapt any space to meet both your outdoor learning needs  and the requirements of your budget. Park Place is a TXMAS-approved vendor and a member of the  Buyboard, and  we  can provide a “Buy American” certificate for anyone purchasing equipment under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Take It Outside! Part 1: The Case for Outdoor Classroom Design - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 05:59:05 GMT

As we work toward getting kids back to school in 2020, school districts across the country are exploring all options to safely educate kids during the ongoing pandemic. One area they are exploring is the idea of outdoor classrooms. This is due to general agreement on a few key points:

Public health trends have shown it’s important to maintain social distancing in any public environment and many schools lack the square footage to accomplish this indoors.
Children learn better in a hands-on, in-person environment, rather than online.
COVID-19 has a much harder time taking root in outdoor environments.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the viability and effectiveness of outdoor classrooms has become a hot topic in recent weeks. Here are some points to consider in favor of outdoor learning and why it could be a good option for your district.

The History of Outdoor Schooling

Turns out this novel idea for a novel virus has actually been done before. Holding formal schooling outside is actually an old idea that’s already been proven to be beneficial. The New York Times has published an  article on the history of outdoor schooling, taking us back more than 110 years to the days when rampant tuberculosis was taking a fatal toll on the young. In 1907, two Rhode Island doctors proposed the creation of an open-air schoolroom. In Providence, they converted an empty brick building with ceiling-height windows on every side into a classroom where the windows were kept open at nearly all times.

The Times notes, “The experiment was a success by nearly every measure — none of the children got sick. Within two years there were 65 open-air schools around the country either set up along the lines of the Providence model or simply held outside.”

While mainstream educational theory has moved away from the idea of outdoor learning over time, its benefits have been established:

Hundreds of studies over the years have demonstrated a positive correlation between engagement with nature and academics; some researchers have found that outdoor learning can improve both standardized test scores and graduation rates.
A 2018 study conducted over an academic year looked at the emotional, cognitive and behavioral challenges facing 161 fifth graders. It found that those participating in an outdoor science class showed increased attention over those in a control group who continued to learn in a conventional classroom.

Benefits for Children

One foundational idea driving the interest in outdoor learning is that children are geared to learn everywhere, all the time. Practical experience, as well as studies like those mentioned above, are showing that children benefit from formal learning time spent outside; it provides more physical activity and motor development, more hands-on experiences, and more variation in social-emotional growth through peer interaction. Learning outside also supports skills that enhance later academic success such as language development and creative expression.

Benefits to School Districts

Outdoor classrooms also provide benefits to school districts. First and foremost, they would help alleviate some of the challenges administrators are facing in the post-COVID world, including:

Social-distancing guidelines requiring six feet of separation or fewer than 11 people in a room
Increased levels and/or periods of classroom ventilation
Continuing access to in-person instruction, particularly for disadvantaged students for whom the remote learning experience has been less than ideal

Clearly, outdoor learning meets these needs (and the needs of working parents) as well as or better than some other options under consideration like indoor flexible scheduling. In addition, setting up an outdoor classroom can be relatively inexpensive compared to the other options that districts are considering, including the purchase of temporary portable units. According to EdWeek, the cost of setting up an outdoor learning space can run from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the design.

Built-In Flexibility

Just like an indoor classroom, an outdoor classroom provides a great deal of flexibility:

It can be used to present almost any curriculum, for any age group of children, and can host almost any educational program.
Outdoor classroom design can range from the bare basics such as logs under a shade tree to more elaborate, more permanent structures such as shade canopies erected over lawns or pavement; a fully permanent design would include installed tables and benches or chairs.
Some academic subjects, like physical education, art and reading, lend themselves particularly well to outdoor learning. Instead of rotating between at-home and at-school learning, students could rotate between indoor and outdoor learning over the course of the school day.

Closing the Case

Part of the appeal of the outdoor classroom is the tacit understanding that kids today simply spend too much time inside, often looking at electronic screens. This trend persists even though the value of the outdoors to children’s social, emotional, and mental well-being is well established. Getting back outside is particularly important this year, when students everywhere have already lived through several traumatic months.

At Park Place Recreation Designs, we have worked for decades to help kids, families and entire communities experience the joys of spending quality time outside. It seems like our experience in designing and building creative, cost-effective outdoor spaces is needed now more than ever. Please watch this blog for further posts on the possibilities of outdoor classroom designs; in the interim, if we can help your school, preschool or district move forward with creating an outdoor learning space, do not hesitate to  contact us. Park Place Recreation Designs is a TXMAS-approved vendor and a member of the Buyboard, and we can provide a “Buy American” certificate for anyone purchasing equipment under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Outside Isn't Canceled: How to Keep Kids Active During Social Distancing - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 08:35:32 GMT

As you are well aware, life has changed drastically in South Texas in the past few weeks as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. This is especially true for our youngest citizens. While schools shift to online learning and families are encouraged to stay at home, kids still require lots of physical as well as mental stimulation and have plenty of energy to burn.

In these uncharted times, we at Park Place Recreational Designs just want to remind you that children can still have constructive, enjoyable outdoor play while staying safe and maintaining social distancing. We encourage you to help your students – and their parents! – by asking your teachers to urge their student families to continue to engage in fun, safe activities. Here are some ideas you can share with them.

Your Own Yard

For those who have yards, getting outside is simply a matter of coming up with something to do on your property. A short list of ideas includes the following.

Make a family project out of designing and planting this year’s garden. For inspiration, the Texas 4-H is hosting a Virtual Experience on junior master gardening April 14-16 on Facebook, with previously recorded events available as posts. (The Junior Master Gardener program also has a website.)
Have a camping “staycation” with all the trimmings: Tents, sleeping bags, outdoor games and a campfire for cooking and s’mores.
Play active, classic games like badminton or popular new ones like Spikeball
Bring the inside to the outside: Read a book in a hammock, have lunch on the lawn – even make the outdoors a classroom with at-home lessons and experiments by Texas A&M’s Walk Across Texas! program; curricula are available by grade and subject.
Play games in the driveway: soccer, basketball, have a chalk drawing contest, etc.

Your Neighborhood

Let’s face it, everyone has binge-watched enough YouTube and played enough video games already. “Outside” isn’t closed; everyone just needs to avoid large groups and maintain a distance of six feet from those outside their immediate families. Try heading out to your local hiking trails, or even just around the neighborhood for a bike ride, jog or family dog walk.

Plan a Special Trip

When all the days start to run together, plan an adventure to a new park. While many frequently visited indoor attractions and programs are closed, the National Park Service has a “Find Your Park” website helps you filter national parks by activity and location; it will help you determine what outdoor options are still open with just a few clicks. In addition, your state and local parks may still be open; a quick internet search should build you a list of good options “near you.” Just remember to visit park websites to determine their availability before heading out.

As much as it pains us, though, there is one recommendation that has to be made: If there’s a playground at your destination, the safest course is to avoid it. The New England Journal of Medicine has reported that COVID-19 can remain viable on surfaces including plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours, and you won’t know when any playground or outdoor public facility was last cleaned or how recently someone else might have used it.

Think Big, Feel Small

As they say, the stars at night are big and bright here in Texas. Now that the whole family is likely not having to get up at the crack of dawn to leave the house, take this opportunity to get out of the city, stay up late, and get in some serious stargazing. All you need is a vehicle, some blankets and pillows to get comfy on, a flashlight or two, a good astronomical book or app (here’s one that’s often recommended), and a list of the best places near you to see the stars (here’s an example). Don’t forget snacks suitable for a dark picnic!

Get Wet

To date, the CVD has no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to humans through chlorinated environments like pools and hot tubs. If you have access to water that doesn’t involve crowds, feel free to enjoy! In addition, Texas also has a lot of miles of beach, so that is another option if you can approach it safely.

Be Useful

What does your outdoor chore wish list look like? Been putting off items like cleaning the deck, trimming some trees or reorganizing that shed? Make it a family affair and see what wonders you all can work with a little time and invention. Along similar lines of thought, what skills have you learned that you’ve just needed the time to pass along? There’s no time like the present to make and check off a life skills list – anything from how to tie good knots to how to change a tire (for older kids). Just make the learning part of your outside time.

This is a difficult time for all of us, but getting some exercise and spending a little time in the sun are important routes to maintaining both physical health and mental positivity. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has teamed up with its partner institutions to publish a self-care and stress management toolkit for healthcare professionals, but its recommendations can help us all – and they include ideas for sunlight and exercise. Please encourage your school families to get outside for at least a few minutes every day.

As a society, we all look forward to the day when kids can go back to school and the sounds of their play ring joyously from the playgrounds. When that time comes, and when you want to upgrade any of your playgrounds, Park Place Recreational Designs will be here to help, as we have been for more than 35 years.

Why You Should Send Your Kids Outside To Play – And Go With Them - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:20:33 GMT

Much of our formalized learning takes place indoors, but when it comes to physical, emotional and social development, nothing beats the outdoors. Beyond the well-documented benefits of play activities, there is simply so much to see and do – and to learn from real-life examples in nature. Further, it’s important to note that the lessons to be learned outside hold true for all ages, not just children. So here are a few reasons why you should make sure your kids play outside – and why it would benefit you to go with them.

The Power of Dirt

Much like we’ve learned in recent years that too much focus on and use of antibacterial products may be detrimental to the development of our immune systems, now we’re learning that the outdoors has its own set of bacteria that have health benefits for humans. Researchers have established that childhood exposure to outdoor microbes is linked to a more robust immune system; for example, Bavarian farm children who spent time in family animal stables and drank farm milk had drastically lower rates of asthma and allergies throughout their lives. And the benefits aren’t just for our immune systems; bacteria such as M. vaccae live in all soil and seem to provide a significant boost to brain power as well as mood. So the next time your kid wants to dig a hole for any reason, go get your hands dirty with them.

Nature as a Teacher

For much of our human history, spending time outside has been recognized as an important part of our development. Climbing rocks and trees builds strength, resilience and problem-solving skills. Playing in the mud nurtures creativity and, as we just saw, can even help build immunity. When we encounter death in nature, we learn about the fragility and value of life. And who better than Mother Nature to teach the crucial skill of embracing change? The cycle of day turns into night; the seasons shift; natural disasters occur and cause damage. But through it all, nature is resilient in the face of change. We learn that the things that happen in nature make room for the next thing. And so we learn that we don’t need to fear or resist change.

Here are a few more important life lessons we can learn by spending time outside.

Get Moving!

Like every other living creature, we humans are meant to move. However, in our current society, both kids and adults are struggling with the effects of inactivity, particularly since the advent of “screen time.” What activity we do get is often through organized sports or carefully planned workouts, often indoors. While this is certainly better than nothing, our bodies and brains also benefit from the unstructured exercise we often get while outdoors. Pretty much every family member – including the dog – reaps multiple benefits from spending time together outside.

Take Risks

Often it seems our kids’ lives are structured around the “don’ts” – don’t get dirty, don’t be loud, don’t jump or climb, don’t make a mess – and we may not fully consider the ramifications of this on their development. Children are meant to do things – all sorts of things, not all of them tidy or perfectly safe – and to learn from the results. Being active outside isn’t just about the exercise; it’s also about considering manageable risks, developing a plan for success, taking the risk, and then either learning from the mistake or experiencing the growth of confidence that comes from success. Use common sense, but also consciously allow your kids take the small risks like climbing trees and jumping off the playground apparatus so they’ll learn how to approach the bigger risks later in life.

Slow Down and Observe

Mindfulness is a hot topic for adults these days, but why not for children? Their lives are often just as overscheduled and rushed as our own. Humans have developed various approaches to it, such as grounding and forest bathing, but the bottom line is that slowing down and observing whatever’s around us is a good way to foster perspective. We are unfathomably huge to the ants working busily on the ground, but we in turn are tiny under the clouds making shapes above us. We’re clumsy and slow compared to the jackrabbits in the fields and the fish in the streams, but we’re blazingly fast to the tortoises and snails. The world is a big place, but spending quiet time outside can help our kids understand their place in it.

Be Patient

Regularly spending time outside allows us to witness how things actually work in nature – and one of the first things kids notice is how long things can take! Mother Nature doesn’t supply all the things this very minute, and she won’t be rushed. It takes time for the flowers to bloom. It takes time for eggs to hatch, fruit to ripen, trees to grow. We can all benefit from remembering that people are the same way: we all need time to grow and develop and change. So the next time you’re feeling impatient with your kids or just your life, take everyone out for a walk.

Growing Never Stops

As a corollary to being patient, allow us to repeat one we mentioned at the top: While it may take a while to become noticeable, nature shows us that everything changes. Babies and kids grow in what seems like no time at all, but we’re all still growing and changing in ways not so easy to see. Take inspiration from the birds busy at their nests and the spiders spinning their fragile webs: Never be afraid to learn something new, don’t hesitate to rebuild something bigger and better, and encourage your children to do the same.

Don’t Forget to Play!

True statement: All living creatures play – even bugs! Play is how children learn, yes – but it’s important for you too. It should be clear by now that not only your kids, but you as well have a lot to gain by going outside and just being present for some unstructured time. Consider it a mini-adventure you can go on anytime you like. We hope to see you there!

Park Place Recreation Designs, Inc. is a commercial-grade park and playground equipment consulting and design firm headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. We have loved serving South Texas and it’s recreation needs for the past 40 years by providing safe, durable and competitively priced park and playground equipment.

Sun Safety for Kids: What’s The Big Deal? - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 11:08:55 GMT

It may sound strange today, but a generation or two ago, few people took sun safety seriously. Sunburns were a fact of life to be treated with moisture-packed, cooling gels and, in serious cases, painkillers.

People worked or played outside whenever they liked; beachgoers frolicked in the sun for hours applying nothing to their skin except heavy oils to facilitate an even tan.

At the same time, back in those days, skin cancer was viewed as the exception, not the common occurrence it’s become today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in the United States, at an estimated annual cost of $8.1 billion. Skin cancer can be serious, even deadly – and it’s the most common form of cancer in both in the United States and worldwide. Consider these statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation:

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
On average, a person’s risk for a potentially deadly cancer called melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns – but just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.
Sun damage is cumulative, but not evenly distributed: about 23 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs by age 18.

Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.

In other words, it’s clear that sun safety is very important to the future health of everyone who spends time outdoors. And if that’s not a big deal, we’re not sure what is.

Now for the good news: the skin damage that can lead to cancer is preventable, and taking steps toward prevention has proven to be successful. Here’s a quick collection of helpful facts about sun exposure and protection for kids.

All About UV

According to the American Cancer Society, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and some man-made sources like tanning beds. These UV rays have enough energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule; this can damage the DNA in cells, which in turn may lead to cancer.

Among the types of UV rays, UVA rays have the least energy; they can cause skin cells to age and can cause some indirect damage to cells’ DNA. UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays; they can damage the DNA in skin cells directly and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers. About 95% of the UV rays from the sun that reach the ground are UVA rays, with the remaining 5% being UVB rays. Here are some other helpful notes:

UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so sunburns and skin damage can occur even on cloudy or overcast days.
UV rays can reflect off surfaces like water, sand, snow, pavement or even grass, leading to an increase in UV exposure.
UV rays are strongest:
Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is highest overhead
During spring and summer months (unless you’re near the equator, where sun exposure is strong year-round)
At higher elevations, because more UV rays reach the ground there

All About Sunscreen

Most sunscreen products work by absorbing, reflecting or scattering sunlight; they contain chemicals that interact with the skin to protect it from UV rays. Here are some tips for choosing an effective sunscreen:

Choose a broad–spectrum product with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Sunscreen wears off, so put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
Don’t skip hard-to-reach places like your back; get someone to help.
Some sunscreens have an expiration date, which should always be checked.
Products without an expiration date can be considered to have a shelf life of no more than three years.
Any sunscreen shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures, so store the products inside and don’t leave them in the sun.
Not all sunscreens use the same ingredients; if skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or consult your doctor.

Protect With Prevention

The important thing to remember is that sunscreen works best when combined with other protective options. Keep the following ideas in mind when sending your kids out to play.

Plan playtime at shaded areas or during low-UV times of day (usually early morning or late afternoon).
Consider the clothing kids are wearing outdoors:
- Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection.
- Wet clothing offers much less UV protection than dry clothing.
- Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.
- Some clothing is certified against sun exposure under international standards; this clothing comes with information on its UV protection factor.
- A hat with a wide brim can protect both the face and the sensitive skin of the neck.

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection; most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side to damage the sensitive skin around the eyes.

More Resources

The sun can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes. Check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s UV Index for information personalized to your area.

To learn more about or get involved with a sun safety program near you, visit the National Cancer Institute’s RTIPs website.

Finally, outdoor recreational areas promote health, wellness and a sense of community – but in South Texas, it’s important that they provide shade as well. This can be in the form of trees, pavilions and other permanent structures, or shade structures installed over play areas such as umbrellas and sails. Park Place Recreation Designs works with architecturally designed, long-lasting fabrics that block up to 98 percent of UV rays, keep playground surfaces up to 20 degrees cooler, and are available in almost any shape, size and color. Adding shade to your play space not only increases the amount of time your visitors stay, it also increases the value of your facility to your community.

Why Kids Need Unstructured Play to Thrive - Park Place Recreation Designs

Lauren Ahrens — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 07:40:37 GMT

We all want our kids to grow up safe, happy and successful. But in the dogged pursuit of their future prosperity, we often deprive them of the chance to play on their own. And while it looks like an indulgence to spend time goofing off when they could be learning a foreign language or building AI robots, playtime may actually be essential for developing the skills that’ll help children flourish as adults.

Unstructured Playtime Has Declined

Children are getting less and less time for basic play, even at kindergarten ages. A survey conducted by the National Association of Elementary School Principles in 1989 found that 96 percent of school systems offered at least 1 recess period. By the turn of the 21st century, that number dropped to 70 percent.

It’s easy to see why play has fallen out of favor. Recess and free time are losing out against structured activities designed to help children learn specific skills, such as sports or music. Parents often feel that enrichment programs held after school or in the summer are better for kids’ development.

With increasing competition for college admissions, there’s pressure for young people to excel in athletics, academics and arts, even at an early age. And when they find a little free time, kids often turn to video games or television for entertainment.

Free Play Helps Kids Succeed

Well-meaning parents and educators may feel free play is a waste of time in a fast-paced world. It doesn’t look good on a college application. But play actually has lasting benefits for kids, helping them develop the physical, mental and social abilities necessary for success as adults.

Unstructured activity gets kids moving more.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 18.5 percent of American children between ages 2 and 19 are obese. Kids need to move more. And unstructured play makes exercise fun.

Children who play outdoors are more active than those who play indoors. Outside, they have room to run, climb and swing. They tend to play longer and burn more calories outside.

Kids who get into the habit of regular exercise are more likely to stick with it as adults. Physical fitness is also linked to better academic scores, less stress, lower chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease, and less smoking, drinking and drug use.

Play develops gross motor skills.

Aside from just getting kids moving, unstructured play helps them learn what their bodies can do. Throwing, catching, climbing trees, swinging and running all build strength and coordination.

They learn to take small risks, such as barreling down a scary slide, jumping off a platform or balancing on a fallen log. They build confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Playing in groups develops social abilities.

Children interacting without adult interference cultivate the social skills necessary to work and thrive with others. They cooperate to play games and organize make-believe scenarios. They communicate verbally and read others’ emotions and reactions. And when conflict inevitably arises, they negotiate solutions and find compromises.

Self-directed play improves decision-making.

Dealing with the social and physical challenges of play also gives kids the confidence to make good choices. As they grow up, children have to gradually make more and more decisions for themselves. Unstructured play lets them practice taking control of their actions without adult direction.

In fact, there’s some evidence that unstructured play changes the neural connections in the prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate emotions, make decisions and solve problems. In other words, play may help shape young brains, strengthening the neural structures kids need to become self-reliant adults.

Play enhances adaptability and creativity.

When children make up their own adventures, they’re learning to adapt to their surroundings and changing circumstances. If they have a good game of astronauts and space aliens going and a new kid wants to join the fun, they learn to adjust.

They also find creative ways to reach their goals. If they want to storm the castle, they turn a stick into a sword and a tree becomes the black knight. They’re practicing the kind of lateral thinking that’s becoming one of the key skills for success in today’s complex society.

Parents and Communities Can Help Kids Play More

In many schools and towns, play has taken a backseat to other activities, but a few simple changes can open the space and time for kids to let go. For example, communities, churches and schools can dedicate more space to play by improving a local playground, expanding recreation areas, adding new playgrounds or opening up school grounds after hours.

Play areas can be enhanced to ignite imagination. Combining a variety of textures and surfaces with multi-purpose structures encourages kids to interact with their surroundings in new ways. And adding loose objects like blocks, milk crates, wooden planks and plastic pipes to playgrounds will fuel imagination.

Some parents may be concerned that letting kids run around outside on their own is dangerous. But it’s possible to keep children safe during free play. Parents can get to know their neighbors so anyone playing outside is among friends rather than strangers. They can also organize schedules with other parents in the area, so there’s always an adult at the local playground after school to ensure safety but not interfere.

Humans Evolved to Play

As we’ve tried to help kids grow and keep them safe through focused, structured, risk-free activities, we’ve lost something basic. Children instinctively want to play, and that may be nature’s way of preparing the young for their lives ahead.

Peter Gray, a researcher in psychology at Boston University, surveyed anthropologists who’ve studied hunter-gatherer cultures still living today in isolated locations around the world and found that children in these communities were allowed to play and explore on their own every day. The adults saw play as essential to developing the skills required for adulthood.

Perhaps, it’s time to give our kids back that elemental right of childhood, the right to be silly, outrageous and daring, to inhabit a universe entirely their own, to try on adulthood like a royal crown, in short – the right to play.