How Thoughtfully Designed Park Structures Encourage Play
Amenities Supporting Play Time
Playgrounds are a tremendous resource for a community's families. The accessibility, resources, and location of playgrounds, among other things, can play a fundamental role in a young family's choice to grow roots there. But it is not only the play structures that influence a family's interactions and commitment to a park. There are many ways that these park settings can accommodate users, even with their buildings.
Parks are meant to encourage play. Whether that's through amenities like a splash pad, a jungle gym, or a soccer field. When the activities at the park are set up, and people are excited to come, what is left for parks and recreation officials to try to encourage these people to stay?
That is where the structures come in. Park structures are designed and built to support users during their time at the park. This critical amenity, while recognized as a necessity to a healthy park environment, has far more potential than it is typically given credit for. The structures of the park support the attendees as well as the staff in numerous ways to create a better environment and encourage play.
The most obvious way that structures support the park attendees is by giving them a place to relieve themselves. Necessities like a restroom or a meal can disrupt play time and make it necessary to leave the park for relief. However, a simple concession-restroom building can solve both issues in one. If a family can have met all their needs at the park, that encourages a longer stay and more time to play.
Park amenities are greatly improved by the right type of structure. A splash pad is the perfect example of a park feature that greatly benefits from a restroom structure with added conveniences, including family rooms, where for example, a mother can bring in all her children to either change or use the toilet to keep a close eye on them all. Locker rooms are also a valuable addition for visiting families, and indoor or outdoor showers can be a positive addition for visitors as well as the parks department. Encouraging showering prior to use of the splash pad could keep the pad cleaner for longer and prevent clogging.
An All-Abilities playground is nothing without an All-Abilities restroom building. It is imperative that these two types of accommodation are offered together. While they have updated the meaning of an All-Abilities playground, they have done the same for ADA accommodations in restrooms. Adult-changing tables, family restrooms, and more can be implemented to offer accommodation to all visitors and encourage a longer and more pleasant encounter at the park for everyone.
Kids want to play all day. Everyone recognizes the sound of an angry child as they are being ushered off the playground and into the family vehicles. This means that a great play area and lots of friends is all that's needed to keep the little ones interested. It's the parents we need to accommodate. We need to provide parents with a comfortable space to watch over their children. That space needs to include shade from the heat, access to a nearby restroom building, and somewhere to fill up a water bottle without taking their eyes off their children.
Ultimately, well designed park structures play a vital role in extending play, increasing comfort, and improving the overall park experience for families and staff alike. When restrooms, concessions, shade structures, and inclusive amenities are thoughtfully integrated, parks become places where visitors can stay longer, engage more fully, and return more often. By supporting both practical needs and inclusive access, updated park structures don't just serve the park; they actively encourage play, strengthen community connections, and help parks fulfill their purpose as welcoming spaces for everyone.
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