This article was originally published in the September 2024 edition of Parks & Recreation Magazine.
Few things spark the imagination like a playground. Swings soar, slides beckon and laughter fills the air as kids large and small explore a landscape of adventure. The benefits for physical, mental and social growth are clear. But for many children across the United States, this scene is out of reach. The critical issue of playspace inequity is something park and recreation professionals are uniquely positioned to solve.
Defining Playspace Inequity
Playspace inequity encompasses three components: access, use and belonging. Access refers to the availability of quality playspaces within a community. Ensuring that existing spaces are actively used and maintained is another key element. And beyond physical infrastructure lies the equally critical aspect of belonging. A truly equitable playspace is one where children feel welcomed, represented and affirmed — a space that reflects the unique needs and assets of a community and fosters a sense of inclusion.
The Landscape of Inequity
At the heart of the issue lies a stark reality: not all children have fair access to playspaces. The same disparities that exist in funding for education, transit and healthcare also are present in the availability of quality playgrounds in neighborhoods and schools. Part of the reason for this is history. Public playgrounds, parks, beaches and pools were exclusive, racially segregated spaces for much of the 20th century. In the book Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, author Victoria Wolcott explains:
African Americans’ demand for the right to use recreation was not simply about integration and interracial friendship but about power and possession. For this reason the struggle for recreational space was not only the purview of southern nonviolent activists but a national movement that included teenagers, mothers, and ordinary consumers who demanded equal access without having to face racial epithets and daily violence.
Victoria Wolcott
Civil rights organizers and ordinary people fought hard for access to these and other public spaces, and their efforts eventually led to legal integration of public facilities. In response, many white politicians and community leaders decided to close or privatize rather than integrate. Previously public recreational spaces moved to the suburbs, along with the predominantly white tax base that funded their construction and maintenance.
Patterns of racial exclusion, infrastructure funding challenges and economic trends are just a few factors that affect the ability of kids to reach a safe playground today. Access to play looks different in each community, so it’s critical that decision-makers equip themselves with high-quality local data about who has access to quality playspaces and who doesn’t.
The Role of Communities
Teaming up with communities to drive change lies at the heart of how to solve playspace inequity. Organizations like KABOOM! have adopted a community-centered approach, partnering with local residents to co-create playspaces that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of each neighborhood. Centering the voices of those most impacted by inequity ensures these initiatives are not only sustainable, but also transformative — fostering a sense of ownership and pride within communities that support the active use of the playspace and its ongoing maintenance.
The Role of Park and Recreation Professionals
Park and recreation systems have an important role to play in addressing playspace inequity, and a number of park and recreation professionals already have made significant progress in tackling the issue. With expansive reach and unique resources, these systems have the ability to champion inclusive policies that prioritize equitable access to playspaces.
Park and recreation departments can identify areas with the greatest need and allocate resources accordingly, ensuring families with less access receive attention and investment. Assessing existing playgrounds with respect to socioeconomic data points, like the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in a given neighborhood, is one way to get started.
Moreover, these systems can partner with local organizations, community groups and national groups to amplify their impact and leverage collective expertise in addressing systemic barriers. Leveraging data and partnerships can help make the case to supporters, advocates, funders and others who can help move the vision forward.
Park systems in Atlanta; Baltimore; Prince George’s County, Maryland; San Francisco; and St. Paul, Minnesota, are doing this, partnering with KABOOM! as part of the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity.
Each partner brings unique local challenges and opportunities. In Prince George’s County, the park system, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has more than 230 playgrounds, and almost 40 percent of them are beyond their useful life. So, they are actively working with KABOOM! to swiftly build new playspaces where there is the greatest need to ensure all kids in the county have amazing places to play and learn. In St. Paul, the emphasis is on equitable access to active lifestyles and vibrant public spaces. While the city has one of the highest park scores in the country, it also recognizes that inequity still exists in access to playspaces, and until this is true for all residents, we have work to do.
By embracing their role as stewards of public spaces, park and recreation systems can meaningfully improve the experience of childhood across an entire community and create stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods.
A Call to Action
When every kid can grow up experiencing the benefits of play, we will have richer, thriving communities and generations of happy and healthy kids. Whether as individuals, communities or institutions, each of us has a role in solving playspace inequity. By amplifying marginalized voices, advocating for equitable policies, and supporting initiatives that prioritize playspace equity, we can work collectively toward a future where every child grows up happy and healthy.
Playgrounds are not just a matter of infrastructure. Addressing the root causes of inequity and empowering communities to lead the way, we can create a world where every child, regardless of race or background, has the freedom to play, explore and dream without limitations.