How Playgrounds Help Families Build Stronger Communities
Strong communities enhance an individual’s overall well-being. Being friendly to your neighbors, talking with the USPS delivery driver, or even smiling nicely at someone you pass by may seem like unintentional necessities. But these little moments add up. Over time, they help shape the type of community where you want to live, one rooted in trust, inclusivity, and safety.
In today’s digital-focused, social media-driven world, building real connections with others is more of a challenge. You may like and comment on a post from your neighbor on Instagram, but you rarely see or speak to them in real life. Looking up from your devices and forming these person-to-person connections can be the foundation for a strong community. And one way to actively participate in these social interactions is by going to the playground.
Playgrounds are a great way to spark up conversations with others while also giving your children the chance to expend any energy and play freely. Below are a few reasons why playgrounds help families build stronger communities.
Creates a Destination for Social Connection
Parks, libraries, and your local cafe all have one thing in common — they’re all destinations for social interaction. When you visit one of these places, you’re destined to strike up a conversation with someone. Perhaps you see one of your neighbors, or maybe you meet someone new who is new to the area. Regardless, you’re forming connections with others, which has mental benefits.
Social connections can lead to a boosted sense of self-esteem. A friendly hello to your favorite barista can bring meaning to their day and yours as well. Asking a neighbor how they are doing and chatting about a mutual interest can improve your mood. These types of connections can enhance a community through a sense of trust, support, and civic engagement.
For families, playgrounds are a hub for social interactions. Parents and caregivers meet up to discuss what’s happening in the school or swap secrets on how to get kids to actually eat their vegetables. It may spark the idea for a community-wide park gathering, inviting others from the neighborhood to welcome in a new season or introduce new neighbors to other residents.
Children also have opportunities to connect as they swing, slide, jump, and skip on the commercial playground equipment. Through play, they develop important social and emotional skills, such as conflict resolution and empathy. These skills are learned over time through ongoing interactions. Soon enough, your child will probably be begging to go to the playground so they can meet up with their new friends!
Promotes Shared Experiences
Another way that playgrounds help build strong communities is by promoting shared experiences. Sharing an experience with someone else reinforces a shared identity and builds trust. Whether the experience was positive or negative, it creates a common ground. It’s a way to connect, knowing that you both went or lived through the same moments.
At a playground, there are plenty of opportunities for these shared experiences. Family friends who meet at the park regularly may soon feel like an adoptive second set of parents to the other set of kids. These children will likely soon look to these adults with the same warmth and appreciation as they do for their own parents. The same goes for caregivers or nannies who frequent the park. They may form a social bond and decide to partake in more shared activities with the children, so they can form friendships too.
These types of everyday interactions create positive connections, which can help strengthen a community. Hosting events such as baby showers and birthday parties at the playground is another way to positively create these types of shared experiences. Children and parents will look back at these moments fondly, creating a positive association with the park and those who were in attendance.
Fosters Inclusion and a Sense of Belonging
One of the main advantages of a public playground is that it’s accessible to everyone. There is no entry fee or reservation required. Everyone is welcome, no matter their background, social status, gender, or familial structure. A mom with two kids can come and enjoy the morning there safely, just like a nanny can go and watch her family’s children play. Having a neutral, distraction-free environment for parents and caregivers is a chance for them to build stronger bonds with each other and their children. Getting engaged with their children during play can foster stronger familial bonds while boosting community connections as well.
Regular park-goers will soon form friendships, chatting about other activities for their kids or suggesting products or kid-friendly food items to try out. This repetition is important for building stronger communities. Those who are invested in their neighborhood and know those who live there are more likely to feel pride toward it. They may volunteer at the annual park spring cleanup, inviting others to join them as well for this community-building activity. They may speak up when they notice something awry at a neighbor’s home while they’re away on vacation, acting as a sort of community watchdog.
Modern playgrounds are designed to accommodate all abilities. All children, whether they are physically mobile or restricted by a wheelchair, can play together on accessible playground equipment. These designs are standardized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that playgrounds are built to be used by those with disabilities. Gliders and spinners are now designed to be wheelchair-accessible, while sensory boards can be added to deliver tactile stimulation. Having these options means that the community is putting everyone’s needs first, creating an inclusive space where all families feel welcome.
