Parks Offer More Than a Place to Play

Parks offer more than a Place to Play

A park is a unique space that offers more than a place to play. It’s an opportunity to be outdoors, breathe fresh air, and see varied sights, including nature and wildlife. The scents and sounds of a park differ from those found inside our homes and schools, providing a refreshing and stimulating sensory experience.

But going to a park offers much more than this.

According to Dr. Howard Frumkin, Senior Vice President at Trust for Public Land and Former Dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health, “If we had a medicine that delivered as many benefits as parks, we would all be taking it. Parks deliver cardiovascular benefits, fight loneliness, combat osteoporosis, counter stress anxiety, and more.”

Spending time in parks is not just about physical and mental health; it’s a crucial factor in child development. Research has consistently shown that spending time outdoors in green spaces can significantly improve mood, concentration, and physical health through exercise, providing a wealth of benefits for children’s growth and well-being.

Parks provide a unique environment that significantly reduces stress and enhances child development. They offer opportunities for social connections and help children make friends, providing reassurance and comfort for children and parents.

The Walnut Grove All-Inclusive Playground in Canfield, Ohio

Parks Bring a Crucial After-School Release

With kids returning to school, it’s crucial to understand why regular visits to a park are essential. Children spend many hours sitting in chairs, focusing on mental tasks, which can be particularly challenging for children with special needs. Parks offer a stress-free environment for children to decompress and relax after school.

While recess during the school day is crucial for children to decompress and have fun, it’s important to note that most school playgrounds are not designed with special needs in mind. Parks play a crucial role by providing an inclusive environment for children to let off steam and play after school. 

Spending time outdoors in parks also provides relaxation and encouragement for parents. We are cooped up all day in workplaces and homes. At parks, we can connect with other parents, enjoy a peaceful time in nature, and interact in fun ways with our children. 

Inclusive vs. Accessible Parks

Accessible parks and playgrounds are facilities anyone can enter without a challenge, such as allowing wheelchairs to maneuver easily between the equipment pieces. An accessible playground may be designed for children with special needs but may not have an optimal space for those without special needs to interact with them. 

With inclusive playgrounds, all children and abilities can engage with the equipment. They provide sensory experiences to meet the needs of children with varying abilities and backgrounds. 

AS SEEN ON COVER: Possibility Playground in Corydon, Indiana

Today, our cities are becoming more inclusive, and parks are leading the way. Take Possibility Playground in Corydon, IN, the largest inclusive playground in Harrison Township (County); its wheelchair accessibility allows individuals with special needs to enjoy the park and fosters a sense of inclusivity and understanding among all park-goers. 

Features of Inclusive Playgrounds

Inclusive playgrounds feature equipment that considers the abilities of children with physical, mental, and sensory conditions. By creating something for everyone, children can find activities that meet their developmental needs. Thanks to the accessible spaces, inclusive playgrounds allow adults with special needs to interact with their children. 

Some cities are also incorporating wheelchair-accessible fitness zones into their green spaces. Just as you can find workout trails in many parks, some offer equipment that allows people with varying abilities to participate in strengthening exercises. These areas offer additional options to help children decompress after school. 

Possibility Playground in Corydon, Indiana

Some benefits of inclusive parks and playgrounds include calm areas, fencing, maneuverable routes, social play spaces, and various challenge levels. Sensory components, such as conga drums and other musical features, foster creativity and relaxation.

The Social Benefits of Parks

Spending time in parks helps boost a child’s social skills, which are crucial for their development. The interactive play offers benefits such as:

• Communicating
• Listening
• Cooperating
• Sharing
• Taking turns
• Compromising
• Respecting others
• Conflict resolution
• Overcoming shyness
• Including others
• Acceptance of all
• Empathy                                                      

Children learn valuable skills through socializing on playgrounds and in parks without realizing they are learning.

Park Benefits for Physical Well-Being

One reason recess is vital at school is that it allows children to get out from behind the desk and move their muscles. Visiting a park lets children enjoy physical activity they may not get elsewhere. Even individuals with limited physical capabilities can benefit from breathing in fresh air and experiencing the sensory aspects of nature.

Physical activity helps to burn calories and prevent obesity, which can impact health. It enables the movement of the small and large muscle groups to support the body. Some of the many benefits of staying active include:

• Developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Strengthening muscles
• Improving flexibility and balance
• Reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes
• Promoting healthy lung and heart functions
• Helping learn to control physical movements

Park Benefits for Cognitive Development

Playgrounds provide an area for cognitive enrichment through spontaneous play. Children learn while they play, and as they engage their curiosity and imagination, their decision-making and problem-solving abilities grow. Some of the benefits of park time include:

• Promoting creativity and imagination
• Enhancing problem-solving skills
• Improving language skills
• Increasing productivity and concentration

Emotional Benefits of Parks

Active play helps children process their emotions while providing an outlet to release excess stress, anxiety, and energy. The unstructured nature of playground time is a welcome break from a day of schoolwork and anticipated homework. 

Imagination is a crucial factor in playtime; children can use their time at the park to do anything their imagination desires. Some of the emotional benefits of time in a park include:

• Focusing attention on positive activities
• Boosting self-confidence
• Allowing them to manage new challenges
• Providing a sense of control as they decide what they want to do
• Helping them overcome fears
• Providing a path of exploration and accomplishment

Parks Provide Opportunities for Family Time

As important as everything we have discussed is, perhaps the most beneficial aspect is the opportunity for quality family time in parks. Our lives are so busy, between school, work, activities, doctors’ appointments, therapy, shopping, cooking, and cleaning, that playtime often falls by the wayside.

Going to a park or playground allows the family to interact and connect in new ways. Whether pushing your child on a swing or going for a nature walk and collecting leaves and rocks, these are activities to do together. They create moments in time that also become lasting memories. 

Resources used:

https://www.tpl.org/parks-promote-health-report

https://playworld.com/blog/inclusive-playgrounds-vs-accessible-playgrounds/#gref

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sensory-play-ideas

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autistic-child-relax-after-school/

 Top 10 Parks Worth Playing At: Inclusive Parks where Everyone can have Fun!

Summer Activities

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• Top 10 Fun and Accessible Activities to Do This Summer
• 10 Places That Offer Special Days for Special Needs
• You Don’t Need to Leave Your House to Have an Adventure
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• A to Zoo Accessibility at KidZooU Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center

Traveling Tips

• Traveling Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs
• 7 Special Accessible Vacation Spots
• Free Access Pass to America the Beautiful
• Traveling Different: How to Enjoy This Years Summer Vacation

This post originally appeared on our July/August 2024 Magazine