Play Worth Remembering: Are Playgrounds Too Safe?

When asked to describe their favourite childhood place, most adults remember playing outdoors in natural settings such as the woods (Sandberg, 2003; Sebba, 1991). Research has demonstrated that children prefer natural over constructed play environments. However, typical contemporary playgrounds - containing pre-fabricated play equipment, a carpet of rubber safety surfacing, and a fence - do not resemble the natural play spaces that adults recall and children prefer.

Using memory as a perspective in understanding the value of play environments, the Play Worth Remembering study aimed to gauge the quality of today's playgrounds in comparison to the play spaces that survey respondents favoured as children. Using an online survey of adults (592 responses, 87 per cent from the US), the study aimed to understand the defining characteristics of favourite outdoor play spaces and determine how these environments support play, as well as to understand attitudes regarding contemporary play spaces, particularly concerning approaches to safety in design.