Understanding the outcomes of playspaces and skateparks
The Built to Play initiative was born in 2018 when the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation joined forces with two national nonprofits – KABOOM! and The Skatepark Project – to help communities in Southeast Michigan and Western New York provide more safe and imaginative places for kids to play.
What began as a $10 million investment by the Wilson Foundation, grew to nearly $17 million and resulted in the development of more than 90 play spaces and skateparks across its two regions.
In 2022, the Wilson Foundation and its partners engaged Gehl to conduct an impact assessment to understand the outcomes of these investments and provide recommendations for any community advocate, civic leader or funder interested in creating quality, equitable playspaces.
