London Study of Playgrounds by studioludoorg

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

The Influence of Design on Play Behavior in London vs New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

COVER: TUMBLING BAY PLAYGROUND, QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK

FOREWORD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4-7

METHODS AND FINDINGS

8-19

(THE PLAYGROUNDS, THE ASSESSMENT, THE PLAY ELEMENTS)

PLAYGROUND COMPARISONS (LONDON VS NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO, AND LOS ANGELES)

PLAYGROUND ANALYSES

(INFLUENCES OF SURFACES, FEATURES, AND PLAY ELEMENTS ON PLAY BEHAVIOR)

20-27

28-125

CONTENTS LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Studio Ludo is a non-profit organization whose mission is building better play through research, design and advocacy. We believe that everyone deserves a great place to play. Building on a over fifteen years of experience in the design field, with a focus on play, Studio Ludo was founded in January of 2015. Since our inception we have received numerous accolades for our work. We were the winners of the Play Space international design competition and the Kaboom Play Everywhere Competition. Our research has been presented at national conferences for Child in the City, the International Play Association, The Association for the Study of Play, and the U.S. Play Coalition, as well as through the American Society of Landscape Architects Online Learning Series. We have been published in Next City and Context:The Magazine of the AIA Philadelphia, and our work has been featured in World Landscape Architecture Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine, GRID Magazine, City Lab, and The Atlantic. Research is the core of our organization and directly informs our design process. The London Study of Playgrounds serves as the basis for much of our thinking about play and helped to launch Studio Ludo. Over a six month period in the spring of 2015, we visited forty five playgrounds within the ten kilometer (approximately six mile) radius of the center of London and selected sixteen as part of our study. Upon returning to the U.S., we compared our findings to the National Study of Neighborhood Parks by the RAND Corporation, to understand the influences of the design of playgrounds on play behaviors and physical activity levels in children and teens. We released our preliminary report in September 2016, which contained a summary of our methodology, our initial findings, as well as images of the sixteen play spaces.This final report expands upon that work and includes detailed maps, images of uses by all ages, analysis of behaviors related to play surfaces and structures, as well as an assessment of playground injury rates and cost differences in the U.K. vs U.S. I want to thank my friends and family for their support during the past three years of this research project. From getting us to London in the first place and doing all the complicated Excel work (thanks to my husband Andy), to being a fabulous research assistant (my daughter Amelia), to helping develop the protocols and comparisions (Deb), to being on the board of Studio Ludo and reviewing the work (Susan, Kate, Rebecca, Richard, and Matt). I could not have finished this project without you! Happy reading!

Meghan Talarowski, MLA, CPSI Director Studio Ludo

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SPA FIELDS PLAYGROUND

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Play is so important to children’s well being that the United Nations has recognized it as a human right, along with shelter and education. And yet, in the U.S. today, children spend an average of seven hours per day on screens.1 Nearly one in three are overweight or obese.2 Stress levels in children and teens are at all time highs,3 and levels of depression and suicide are increasing at rapid rates.4 The same can be said for adults, with obesity now a leading cause of death in the U.S.5 Clearly, we need to move more, we need to get out more, and we need to give ourselves permission to play, but where? For the first time in history, more people live in cities than elsewhere6, and that trend will only continue. As more people compete for finite public space resources, we must advocate for the role of play in creating happier, healthier urban communities. But what affordances should we create in our cities to allow play to happen? What encourages play in our youngest children (under fives)? What attracts teens? How do we encourage play throughout our lifetimes, supporting healthy adults and seniors? The London Study of Playgrounds sought to answer these questions. By studying play and use behaviors in sixteen playgrounds, we discovered what made these spaces work, what people were attracted to, and how the playgrounds encouraged physical activity and social interaction for all ages. METHODS: Forty five London playgrounds were visited over a three month period, from January-March 2015. Sixteen were selected based on the following criteria: design uniqueness; variety in surfaces and structures; different sizes (neighborhood vs destination); demographics (ethnicity and socioeconomic); and equal distribution in the ten kilometer (approximately 6 mile) radius of the center of London. Observations occurred from end of April-early June 2015, from 8am-7pm every day of the week except for Fridays. Five to ten second video sweeps, recorded via IPhone, were

taken at defined areas within the playgrounds. The videos were assessed using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to document apparent age, gender, ethnicity, and physical activity. This assessment led to the categorization of use and behavior of 18,142 people. The data was then compared to the National Study of Neighborhood Parks (NSNP) by the RAND Corporation, focusing on New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. We used Geographic Information System (GIS) in conjunction with U.S.7 and U.K.8 census data to define population densities in the one mile area around each playground to establish comparisons. FINDINGS: By comparing playgrounds of similar size (.25-.75 acres) and population density (50,000-175,000 people in one mile area) in London to those in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, we discovered that the London playgrounds had 55% more visitors, 14% more adults, and children and teens were 16-18% more physically active. MORE POPULAR Half of the children studied were found in just four areas: climbing, sand, grass, and swinging. Hard surfaces were also popular, as were slides. Adults preferred sitting in the grass or on a bench, and supervising play near a structure or playing in the sand. Teens were found either using or acting as an audience for risky elements, such as giant slides or high speed spinners, hanging out at the edges, and perching in high places. MORE ACTIVE The same four areas promoted the most moderate to vigorous physical activity: climbing, sand, swinging, and grass. Hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt were also popular for games such as tag and soccer/football. Grass was the largest surface area in the playgrounds. Sand was significantly smaller, yet was consistently popular and active. The majority of equipment fell into the climbing category. Swings were a smaller offering, but were constantly in use, often by many children at once. Swings also contributed to the most adult physical activity.

HTTPS://MEDLINEPLUS.GOV/ENCY/PATIENTINSTRUCTIONS/000355.HTM HTTPS://STATEOFOBESITY.ORG/CHILDHOOD/ 3 HTTPS://WWW.APA.ORG/MONITOR/2014/04/TEEN-STRESS.ASPX 4 HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/MMWR/VOLUMES/66/WR/MM6630A6.HTM 5 HTTPS://STATEOFOBESITY.ORG/ADULT-OBESITY/ 6 HTTP://WWW.UN.ORG/EN/DEVELOPMENT/DESA/NEWS/POPULATION/WORLD-URBANIZATION-PROSPECTS-2014.HTML 1 2

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

LESS INJURY Injury rates in U.S. playgrounds have always been consistently higher than in U.K. playgrounds.9 A recent publication by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)10 shows that while injuries in the U.S. have been decreasing on the whole, in the last three years assessed as part of the report (2012-2014) injuries have begun to increase sharply.

Passive spaces also support children’s play. ‘Play loops’ were observed where a child would engage in active play for an intense period of time, before circling back to the passive spaces. Both function best in conjunction, as those in the passive spaces enjoy the spectacle of the active spaces, while the passive spaces act as a pressure valve for the active ones. Besides accommodating adults, the London playgrounds think outside the box.They use diverse materials and non-prescriptive, riskier play structures that lead to lower costs and lower injury rates than U.S. playgrounds, which is counter intuitive, given our intense focus on safety in the last few decades.

The U.S. has managed to bring death rates in playgrounds down significantly, which is a laudable achievement. However, this continued trend of high injury rates is cause for concern and further study. LESS COST Eleven London playgrounds had available costs, ranging from $14-55/sf, with an average of $30/sf. The average cost of the U.S. playgrounds was $48/sf.

The U.S. seems to have reached ‘peak safety’.We have created a nation of overly expensive, homogeneously safe, and insidiously boring play spaces. Our injury rates demonstrate that these spaces have unintended consequences. In pursuit of fun, children are using play structures in unintended ways, falling on surfaces too expensive to maintain,11 and are not moving enough,12 becoming too weak to play without injuring themselves.To turn the tide, the solution is to follow London’s lead:

In the London playgrounds, many used grass, rubber matting, sand, and bark as their primary surfaces.These all have significant cost savings over their counterparts in the comparable U.S. playgrounds, which utilized primarily poured in place rubber or rubber tile as their surfaces.

1. DESIGN FOR ALL AGES Both passive and active spaces are important, blur the lines between play and park. And don’t forget cafes and bathrooms!

Additionally, many of the London playgrounds took advantage of ‘play affordances’, elements in the built environment that promote play, such as boulders, logs, topography, plantings, and trees. These elements are cost effective partners to manufactured play equipment.

2. PLAY EVERYWHERE Provide ‘play affordances’, such as boulders, logs, plants, and topography for inexpensive, but effective fun.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

3. THINK OUTSIDE THE CATALOG All playgrounds should have the top five: grass, sand, climbing, swinging, and sliding. Water and loose parts are another plus.

There were an almost equal number of children (48%) and adults (47%) in the London playgrounds. It is clear that these spaces, traditionally thought of as serving only children, are actually a rich community resource.

4. PLAYGROUNDS ARE FOR PLAY Everything on a playground should be playable, including surfaces. Fun should be prioritized over safety and maintenance.

The playgrounds in the study blur the boundary between play space and park. Most have considerable grass areas and passive spaces for adults to relax and spend time. This ‘dwell factor’ is one of the reasons for the success of these playgrounds.

5. RISK IS A GOOD THING The best playgrounds look dangerous but are completely safe, offering ways to play based on skill level, strength, and bravery.

HTTP://DOC.ARCGIS.COM/EN/ESRI-DEMOGRAPHICS/DATA/CENSUS-ACS.HTM 8 HTTPS://DATA.LONDON.GOV.UK/CENSUS/DATA/ 9 HTTP://WWW.HSE.GOV.UK/RESEARCH/CRR_PDF/2002/CRR02426.PDF 10 HTTPS://WWW.CPSC.GOV/S3FS-PUBLIC/INJURIES%20AND%20INVESTIGATED%20DEATHS%20ASSOCIATED%20WITH%20 PLAYGROUND%20EQUIPMENT%202009%20TO%202014_1.PDF?29GWYLHQ6FUWXSKAQXLOGAHAE8AHZSSY 11 HTTPS://COMPTROLLER.NYC.GOV/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/DOCUMENTS/CLAIMSTAT_PLAYGROUND_FEBRUARY_2015.PDF 12 HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/NCHS/DATA/DATABRIEFS/DB153.HTM 7

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

POOLS PLAYGROUND,VICTORIA PARK

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

METHODS & FINDINGS

The Playgrounds, The Assessment, The Play Elements LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE PLAYGROUNDS

10KM RADIUS

3 4

9 12 16 5

45 VISITED PLAYGROUNDS CENTER OF LONDON (CHARING CROSS)

10 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

7 8

16 SELECTED PLAYGROUNDS

14 10

1. BROCKWELL PARK PLAYGROUND 2. BURGESS PARK PLAYGROUND 3. CLAPTON COMMON PLAYGROUND 4. CLISSOLD PARK PLAYGROUND

5. JUBILEE GARDENS PLAYGROUND 6. KILBURN GRANGE PLAYGROUND 7. KING SQUARE GARDENS 8. KNIGHTSBRIDGE BARRACKS PLAYGROUND

9. MARYLEBONE GREEN PLAYGROUND 10. OLYMPIC PARK PLAYGROUND 11. POOLS PLAYGROUND 12. PRINCESS DIANA MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND

13. SPA FIELDS PLAYGROUND 14. TUMBLING BAY PLAYGROUND 15.VICTORIA AND ALEXANDRA PLAYGROUND 16. WELLINGTON BARRACKS PLAYGROUND

Playgrounds in the study ranged in size from .22 acres to 3.5 acres, and were selected based on the uniqueness of their designs, variety in surface materials, and open ended, non-prescriptive play structures. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE ASSESSMENT

10KM RADIUS

3 4

9 12

7 8

Fourty five London playgrounds were visited from JanuaryMarch 2015. Sixteen were selected and observed from AprilJune 2015. Observation periods were from 8am-7pm, every day of the week except for Fridays, which was a rest day. Observations did not occur on rainy days, but were rescheduled to the same day the following week (see schedule at right).

16 5

14 10

Our data collectors consisted of a thirty five year old female and a ‘research assistant’, a one year old child. It is important to note that the presence of the child was crucial in gaining access to the playgrounds, as many spaces would not admit an adult without a child. The playgrounds were grouped by location, for ease of transit between them. Every playground was observed on one weekday morning, one weekday afternoon, one weekend morning, and one weekend afternoon (see schedule at right). Observations were done through videography, completed in five to ten second sweeps of specific areas of the playgrounds. Videos were taken discretely with an IPhone. Twice a subject asked that the videos be deleted. Once the subject left the area being observed, a new video was taken. In order to aid observations, every playground was mapped into smaller zones based on surface type. Videos were taken from the same location at every observation period, ensuring that all subjects were visible. Observations were also taken of specific site elements, as well as play structures.

12 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Given the diversity of the play structure types, they were grouped by movement, which included: balancing, climbing, crawling, hanging, jumping, manipulating, organized, passive, pumping, rocking, seesawing, sliding, spinning, stepping, swinging, and walking. Surfaces included: artificial turf, asphalt, bark, brick, concrete, dirt, grass, gravel, metal, planting, rubber, sand, stone, and water. Site features included: art, bench, bike rack, boulder, bush, fence, shade, table, and tree.

OVERALL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

5. JUBILEE GARDENS 16. WELLINGTON

4/18 4/18

4/19 4/19

4/20 4/20 (4/27)*

4/21 4/21 (6/4)*

4/18 4/18 4/25 (5/2)** 4/25 (5/2)** 4/25 (5/2)** 4/25 (5/2)** 5/2 (5/9)** 5/2 (5/9)** 5/2 (5/9)** 5/2 (5/9)** 5/9 (5/16)** 5/9 (5/16)** 5/9 (5/16)** 5/9 (5/16)**

4/19 4/19 4/26 (5/10)** 4/26 (5/10)** 4/26 (5/10)** 4/26 (5/10)** 5/3 (5/17)** 5/3 (5/17)** 5/3 (5/17)** 5/3 (5/17)** 5/10 (5/24)** 5/10 (5/24)** 5/10 (5/24)** 5/10 (5/24)**

TYPICAL WEEKEND 5. JUBILEE GARDENS 16. WELLINGTON

SATURDAY 8:00am 9:00am

SUNDAY 2:00pm 3:00pm

5. JUBILEE GARDENS 16. WELLINGTON 5. JUBILEE GARDENS 16. WELLINGTON 12. PRINCESS DIANA 8. KNIGHTSBRIDGE 12. PRINCESS DIANA 8. KNIGHTSBRIDGE 12. PRINCESS DIANA 8. KNIGHTSBRIDGE

10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm

4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00am 1:00pm

12. PRINCESS DIANA 8. KNIGHTSBRIDGE 7. KING SQUARE 13. SPA FIELDS 2. BURGESS PARK 1. BROCKWELL PARK 15.V AND A 11. POOLS 15. TUMBLING BAY 10. OLYMPIC PARK 9. MARYLEBONE GREEN 6. KILBURN GRANGE 4. CLISSOLD PARK 3. CLAPTON COMMON

(4/27)*

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

(5/19)*

4/22 4/22

4/23 4/23

4/29 (5/13)** 4/29 (5/13)**

4/30 4/30

5/6 (5/27)** 5/6 (5/27)**

5/7 5/7

5/13 (6/3)** 5/13 (6/3)**

5/14 (5/21)** 5/14 (5/21)**

TYPICAL WEEKDAY

M OR W

TU OR TH

5. JUBILEE GARDENS 5. JUBILEE GARDENS

8:00am 9:00am

2:00pm 3:00pm

5. JUBILEE GARDENS 5. JUBILEE GARDENS 5. JUBILEE GARDENS BREAK 16. WELLINGTON 16. WELLINGTON 16. WELLINGTON 16. WELLINGTON 16. WELLINGTON

10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm

4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm

4/27 4/27 (4/20)* (4/20)*

5/4 5/4

5/11 (5/25)** 5/11 (5/25)**

4/28 4/28

5/5 (5/12)** 5/5 (5/12)**

(Parentheses indicate date actual observation occurred, due to rescheduling for closures or rain) * Jubilee closed for repairs 4/20-22 ** Rain, reschedule 4/25 4/26 4/29 5/3 5/5 5/6 5/11 5/14 5/18 5/19, 12pm on 5/20 6/2

5/12 (5/26)** 5/12 (5/26)**

8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm

Over a two month period from April-June 2015, we conducted 256 observations, took 1638 videos, and categorized 18,142 visitors by age, gender, ethnicity, and activity levels. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

PT O C O

SP A D

UA RE

14 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS WHITE

3500 3500

3000 3000

2500 2500 2500 2500

2000 2000 2000 2000

White

500 500 500 500

VIGOROUS MODERATE

PA R M

PA AL RK EX AR AN YL EB D RA O N E C G LI RE SS EN O LD TU PA M RK BL PR IN IN G C BA ES S Y D IA PO N O A LS M EM O RI AL

S KS

PA R

C D

BA LY M

O BR O A

BA E

JU BI

MALE

S N

500 500

500

1000 1000

1000

C S O M BU M O RN N G W BU RA EL LI RG NG N E E G SS TO PA N RK B KN AR JU IG RA BI H LE C TS KS E BI G AR RD D G EN E BA S RR O AC LY KS VI M B PI C TO RO C C RI KW PAR A K AN EL L D PA AL M RK EX AR AN YL EB D RA O N E C G LI R EE SS O N LD TU PA M R BL K IN PR G IN BA C Y ES S PO D IA O N LS A M EM O RI AL

1500 1500

1500

2000 2000

KI L

Black

2000

UA R

2500 2500

2500

Other

PT O

3000 3000

3000

SP A

3500 3500

3500

PT O

ETHNICITY

1000 1000

PO EM

BA Y

SENIOR (65+)

SP A

1500 1500

ADULT (18-64)

UA R

PA R

AR YL

TEEN (13-18)

BLACK M

BR O A

LY M

PA R

CHILD (5-12)

N G

MIDDLE EASTERN E

JU BI

G ES

BU TO

UNDER 5

OTHER N

UA R

SP A

PT O

AGE

C LA

KI L

S M BU M O RN N G W BU RA EL LI RG NG N E ES G TO S PA N RK BA KN JU RR IG BI AC H LE TS KS E BI G AR RD D G EN E BA S RR O AC LY KS VI M B PI C TO RO C C RI KW PAR A K AN EL L D PA AL M R EX AR K AN YL EB D RA O N E C G LI RE SS EN O LD TU PA M RK B PR LI N IN G C BA ES S Y D IA PO N O A L M S EM O RI AL

C LA

KI N

THE FINDINGS

(ALL PLAYGROUND USAGE)

GENDER FEMALE

ACTIVITY LEVELS SEDENTARY

Muslim

1500 1500 Moderate

Vigorous

1000 1000 Sedentary

USAGE There were five clear favorites of the London playgrounds. Princess Diana Memorial Playground was by far the most popular in the study. It receives more than 1,000,000 visitors per year and is a world class destination. It is also located in a highly touristed area, but receives a large percentage of local visitors as well. It is incredibly popular in warmer months, with occasionally a several hour queue for entry. During our study, the water play areas were off however, and the weather was not warm enough to contribute to a surge of users. Pools Playground has a significant neighborhood draw, and observations happened to occur during a school holiday, so there were considerable amounts of children and families utilizing the space. It has many amenities that make it popular, like a giant concrete mountain with three very fast slides, a huge sand area, many climbing structures, and best of all, there is no fencing separating the play area from the passive grass spaces, blurring the line between play and park. Tumbling Bay Playground and Clissold Park Playground are both newer spaces with different draws. Tumbling Bay is a destination play space, with huge timber climbing towers, water play area, sand, cafe, and restrooms. Clissold Park is a well loved neighborhood space that was recently renovated with a wide variety of play options. It also has a massive hill with embankment slide, similar to Pools. Marylebone Green Playground has three very distinctive play spaces. It has both a neighborhood and destination draw, and was also observed during a school holiday, which could have contributed to its high user counts. AGE Under five’s were predominately found in playgrounds with large sand areas, water play, grass, and smaller elements tailored to their size, like mounds with embankment slides, rockers, and swings. These were found at Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Tumbling Bay Playground, Clissold Park Playground, and Brockwell Park Playground. Children over 5 had a fairly equal distribution in all of the playgrounds.As most playgrounds

are designed for the five to twelve age range, this is not surprising, as there were many attractors for them. Teens had distinct preferences, such as perches and gathering spaces at the edges of the playgrounds, risky and adventurous play equipment, and places to watch and be watched while on the risky equipment. Playgrounds that supported them were Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Pools Playground, Tumbling Bay Playground, and Burgess Park Playground. Adults and seniors, of course, loved to sit and preferred many options, like grass, sand, benches, tables, boulders, fences, and shade. They were fairly equally distributed in the playgrounds as well. GENDER Overall, gender was fairly equal within the playgrounds. Adult caregivers tended to be more female, while the children tended to be slightly more male. There were a few outliers, such as Clapton Common Playground, which served a predominately Hasidic Jewish population with fairly traditional gender roles. In this playground, nearly all the caregivers were female, and boys were encouraged to be more active on the riskier climbing structures, while the girls were more sedentary on the swings. ETHNICITY The ethnicity observed in the playgrounds closely matched that of the surrounding communities. Middle Eastern was included as an ethnicity category primarily to see if traditional dress interfered with physical activity levels. It had no contribution. Some in traditional dress did request to not be photographed. ACTIVITY LEVELS Most of the playgrounds had between 40-60% physically active users. Sedentary users tended to be adults and seniors, while children tended to be very active. Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Pools Playground, Tumbling Bay Playground, and Olympic Playground had higher percentages of sedentary users. This was no doubt due to the prevelance of a variety of seating options for adults and caregivers, which in turn contributed to ‘dwell time’ for adults, longer play times for children, and perhaps more popularity. ‘Dwell time’ was not calculated as part of this study, but would be a useful further study.

The top five popular playgrounds were: Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Pools Playground, Tumbling Bay Playground, Clissold Park Playground, and Marylebone Green Playground. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE SURFACES, FEATURES & PLAY ELEMENTS

1 METAL

PLANTING

BARK

2 WATER

CONCRETE

STONE

ARTIFICIAL TURF

DIRT

ASPHALT

SAND

4 BRICK

GRAVEL

RUBBER*

GRASS

* RUBBER CATEGORY INCLUDES: POURED IN PLACE (AKA WET POUR) AND RUBBER MATTING

16 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

11 14

1 BIKE RACK

TREE

SHADE

TABLE

2 BUSH

FENCE

4 6 8

ART

BOULDER

BENCH

5 7 9

1 CRAWLING

JUMPING

MANIPULATING

BALANCING

5 9 13

ORGANIZED

SEESAWING

SPINNING

SLIDING

6 10 14

3 HANGING

ROCKING

STEPPING

SWINGING

7 11 15

PUMPING

WALKING

PASSIVE

8 12 16

CLIMBING

The playgrounds in London had a wide variety of surface types and site elements, many selected specifically for their play value. Play structures were both bespoke/custom and manufactured. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

MM ME EETT TA MM MAAELL L WWETEWATMATAM M AA LETL LE E WW TWTEAERRTEAR TA TAL L L A TT TW SSTTATSW E W OOEREAORTNRAT AT STST SNTNO E E E ER OOB EENR SR SN S BBRRN TREOEI TEO TO PPLL PBLBAICBICRKKCNK N NE AA RRN I E E PLPL PNLNTATICIBCKTRKI CBKR BR AANN ININ INCGP IC IC P P L K K AARRAR LTATI I LTGAGIN K AN NNND NG T TT TI IRTIN IN AARRAIFIRFICICFIC DDIRIGRTGIN T G G TTIAI TIAFAIA IDADAL TDT G FIFRI IRCLL IRIRTRTIRT CTCI I TITATUUTDTUIF D D AIFALI L IFLI RR IRRIFC IR IR C CTFF T IAT T IU GGTITG RRAAUAULRRRTAALRTF L T GG GVRVEFEFUVERL UR UR RRAA ALL F GF F V G G BBAVAVERBLEAAL ERLA RA RR VR V VE AASSBABASABKAK EKL EL L PAPHHRPRHB RKB B K K AAS S SAA AAL A AR K PP PLHTLTRT R RRUHUAHRASUA AASLK ASKP PLBL PT H CCOOCRROBRBBUBETEHTBAERHA AL UUBNB BRR LT LT T N N R B C CCOO O CCBRCBEUERREUR UB NCN RNRCECETRTBREBTECEBOBE BE COCRR OREE R NR R N NE SSAEATECSTEARE TCER CR NN N E E ET SASA SDAD TDE TE E GG NGNSDRDNSD SA RRAAAA A N GG GSRSSSNSDS ND D RRAA A GS S GSS GR SRSA RA A SS SS SS

OTHER

MIDDLE EASTERN

BLACK

WHITE

ACTIVITY LEVELS

VIGOROUS

MODERATE

SEDENTARY 00 0 0 0 00 0

3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 500 500 500 500500 500 500500 500500 00 00 00 0 00 0

3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 30003000 3000 3000 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2000 25002500 2500 2500 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 1500 20002000 2000 2000 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 15001500 1000 1500 15001500 1500 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 10001000 500 1000 10001000 1000 500 500 500 500500 500 500 0 500 500500500 0 0 00 00 0 0 0 0 0

3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2000 2500 2500 2500 2500 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 1500 2000 2000 2000 2000 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 500 1000 1000 1000 500 1000 500 500 500500 500 0 500500 5005000 0 00 00 0 00 0

1000 100010001000 10001000 1000 500 1000

500 500500500 500500 500 0 500

0 0 0 0 00 00

3000

3000 30003000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500

2500 250025002500 25002500 2500 2500 2000

2500 25002500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2000

2000 200020002000 20002000 2000 2000 1500

2000 20002000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 1500

1500 150015001500 15001500 1500 1500 1000

1500 15001500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1500

1000 10001000 1000 1000 1000500 1000 1000

1000 10001000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000500

500 500500500 500500 500 0 500

500 500500500 500 500500 500 0 0 0 0 0 00 00

18 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

C R CCC R RRRA O ACW W RGOC AOLOWCOCRCRAAW W LLLI NI ARRCGAWRIRNLGRGAIRAGNGWAW CWCIN RNGGC HORGNROAOAIONZRWRLGRIGINGAAANGONRLNILZIAILNIZINWIANWGRAW AON ZOAEGA R EZEG OEGLG LI L HRA HHEH RNN DDRIN N I IANN AGNN ALAAD D IZH NNGGIGZIGZAIEGZADGGA G NG H PUHAGAIHGNN AIAEAD IN I IEN DEDN N MPHUNAMG JPIUNPZGUNNUMEGMNHGDMGAGIHNANGGIDGZHEIAZDEDIZED I P I N I P N N N P N J P I PPJIUPU IPNI IGGNG N SE UMJUUPMUMPNPGUJNGUIJNMUUGMMGMGMMPPIUPNJNUGGGGINPUIGNGGING INIMNM ESSE JUPSSEIMSN PIN PPPN AESAMS EEEEPISUJENUSGIAJSNMUGAMGAMP INIPNINGGGGPGGINPINMPIN PJIUPN JUSESPEI W SE W GW RO INIMNUM JUGMG G MREERSINESNGW ES EW ININ GGPG P SEIN SW REOA IN PROAIO SC A A O E E GGSGEINE IN PIN M W R EKSCWARKRINGNCGCWCKGEW SIN AISWAWSGAG G ROOG KIIKN AN AWO IW NOIW ININ GGG I W N NG N M MMMALRAC W GGGIRN N IN AIACNCALGKCRKOKRO IPAN WAKANONLNIKW OG G G L G I L I I K N I K N W ICIKNPW IKINICN M UMILMPM GGKCKI CK IN UANG AN AA UAAALNLNPPIUKM UAGALK N WNGGG GIN N IN MKPI I LIANLLAGLLAKW MS I WNT MIKN A G I A WGA G G A A A I I T P A P APNU ILN TITIANLN GNGKGLKI LK NNIN INSIPPLA STSUPKPUISNPNING LUPILGAILAN I I INGPAP GGGIPN N IN I STSP NUNLITNSANSPIPSINPNNINNTGNTUNIITNINILNIUIANGGLATUGLAG G ESPSTINENSSTTSINTGINIETNNGEIGNNSNPNSNPNGGTGGISNIN TIN P P I PEPGPIN P S S PSISN ISESPDNSEDTINTSNETG PPIPININNIINNGGINNGNGINGN G DEG EPGEPSP S GGGININ IN BA EPDATSEESPEN IEN E S LBASAED BSTBNSABEESAESPAPTLDIEDIANDE GNNGNPTSPTITATPNIANEAITNGPGEGPPTGEPG G PLAIEARSNENENE RRYRSPEININ PI SN LEAEN LV A BBNABAT N BA DC EYDTATAEDAEYYDGE G NG E CLALAL NNCGTC ATIANBRN IRNINRNYBRYTNY T NT AAYBACIN SBLA INN SW LAILSDNALINCDINSGASLNSLGRINLCDILYCDIDAICNILNNIAGGNAGALRAAYRY ARY SI WS SISW I N N SW I S N C S N W L N ILNID IGNIGLSNIGINLDIDIDNININGGGCGGGINCINGCIN S G S S S S I S I G IN GGINNLINISLI SGL G C W LIW IDW ININ GGDGDI ID I G SN LICS LIN GCNW S N N IN MWI GCCLNILGINIILNNMISIGMINGW GIWGIGNGIW GI G G GG INCBCICN M I BBIBN CL BM INNIN GGGGI NG N IILM INGMGICMICN ICMINGLILNG BBILBI LGGIGICNLGNG ING L BI G

3000

3000 30003000 3000 30003000 3000 3000 2500

0 0 0 0 00 00 C TRTRTER

ECE

C R C R RA O ACW W RGOC OCALW L ARRCGARWRGIANLW CINGING HORGONRRAAIGNZWLAIINNRLAIGIZNW AON ZEG EGL HRAHO IGND DIN AGNNAAENRLND IZ GIZAG G PUHAGHAAIGNN IEDI END MPHUNAMPGUNMIHNZGGAEGDNGIZED JUPJUPPNIJUNPGIMINNGPIINNG I M SE MUPUMPUMGIPNGUG G NG ESSE JUSEPJIUMNPIINGPIINNMG AESAMESAMPNGING GPIN JU PI WPJUIN SE SW G G RO MINNGINMG E EEW SRSARISN ASP P M W RCEOEKSRCWAOKICNEWGIEKNSGINAG GING AN AWO WOIN WI GINW G M M LRAC ACNG I IPANAWNKOWLIKKINLRKKNOGING GING M MU I CN GINCGK ANAILPNA UALPLUALKILNW G I MITAKI AIKNGIAG G NG MS I W P A P APNU UINLN INSIPPLSAPTLIKIINAPNGINTGGINNLGGKIN I STSP NUSNLPITNANININNTUIILNGAG G ESPSTINESNTINETNSGNINPGGNGTIN P P I P IGN G S S S PSIN I PN P BA EPDATSEEEPDTNEENIPNGISPNGGINGNGIN LBASAEDBSAESTDNESPPTIIANNGTTIANGEPG G SN LEAENLAESN VP RP BA BADCNTNEIDRTENYEG YING E CA CA SBLA LIANBNATINRYINNRYT SW LAILSDNALINCDSNILNIGALCDAGRINYNGARY SI WSSWISNCINGINGC N ILNIDILNIGDING GIN G G S INGSIN C SWSGW IDI GILNIGD LICS LINCLIGLN MWI GINISMNW GGINGG GING INBINBIN CL BCM ING G IGMIN ICMILN CIBNG GIN LIG G L BI G

RE RE A AER E ARA RAT T R TT RT SH SAHR ART SHS SAHDATDE AHSDADAEDS B BO BOUOHUEADE HEAD UBOUBOLUDELDEE E LBDOL BLOR R EUDRL ERDUERL D D TA TAER ER TAT TBLEBLE BATLBLABLT EA B BAEBE B BE ENB CENLCE LE NBEN ENH H BCEH CHCBEH N NC C H H

TRT TEE EE ERTEEEREET

C TR TRE

F FES

FE F ENF CNHC H NEN ENE E FCE C CFEE NE E NC

2000 20002000 2000

1500 15001500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500

1500 15001500 1500

1000 10001000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 10001000 1000

500 500 500500 500500 500500

500 500500500

0 0 0

00 0 F

IM N BI G N G

C R R O ACW RGOC ALW ARRCGAWINLING HORGNRAAINZWLIIN G AON HRA EZL EG ID AGNN D IZ NG PUHAGAIGNN I ED MPHUNAMG INZGEGD P I N N J P I PI SE UMJUUPMUMPNGNGINGGG ESSE JUPIMNPIING AESAM PNGING JU PI G SE W RO MN E W SRSA INPING M W RCEOEKSCWAKINGINGG AN AWO IN WING M C IPAN WLRKAOLIKKINGINGG CN G M U AN ILPA UALL KING KI INGG MS I WT A A P APNU ILN INSIPPLA TKINNGINGG I STSP NUNLITNANIIN G ESPSTINEN TNGINGG PPI G S S PIN I PN BA EPDATSEEP NNINGINGG LBASAED STNESPPTIIANGG P SN LEAEN V BA DCNT IRENYG E CA SBLA INNTINRY SW LAILSDNALINCDINGAGRY SI WS INCING N ILI GING C SW GNSLDIGNIDIIN G LICS LIN NI GG MWI G GNG INBIN CL BM INGING ING CIMB G L I G

SH R SHS AD T AHAD E BO SD BO U HEADE UBOU LDE E LBDOL R EUDRL ER D TA ER TAT BLE BATLBL BE AEBEL BE NC E NBEN H BCEH C NH C H

ARA RT TRAT

E A E

TRT EE ERTEEE R

C TR E

FE F ENC H NEN E FCE C NE E

BUB USH US SH BUH

3000 30003000 3000 3000 3000 3000

30003000 3000 3000

2500 25002500 25002500 2500 2500 2500 25002500 2500 2500 2500 2500

25002500 2500 2500

2000 20002000 20002000 2000 2000 2000 20002000 2000 2000 2000 2000

2000 20002000 2000

1500 15001500 1500 15001500 1500 1500 15001500 1500 1500 1500 1500

1500 15001500 1500

1000 10001000 1000 10001000 1000 1000 10001000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 10001000 1000

500 500500 500 500 500500 500 500500 500500 500500

500 500500500 00

0 0 0 0 0

500500 500 500500500

00 00 00 0 0

3000 3000 3000 30003000 3000 3000 3000 2500 30003000 3000 3000 2500 2500 25002500 2500 2500 2500 2000 25002500 2500 2500 2000 2000 20002000 2000 2000 2000 1500 2000 20002000 2000 1500 1500 15001500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1500 15001500 1500 1000 1000 10001000 1000 1000 1000500 1000 10001000 1000 500 500 500500 500 500 500 0 500 500500500 0 0 000 00 00 0 0

3000

300030003000 30003000 2500

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IM IM N N BI G GBI N N G G

25002500 2500 2500

2000 2000 2000 2000

B CK

2500 2500 2500 2500

20002000 2000 2000

IMM IM N NN BI G GGBIBIN N G N G G

C R CC R R RA O ACW W RGOCOCOACRLWRAW L LI ALIW N ARRCGOARRWGRAIGAN CNCIGN W G AG LNRLRAAGW LIN ARINW RAG HOROGN GO IZNOIGZINIEIZNW AON GG HRAHHAZ AEANLNRD IENRGDGDEDLILNIN AGNNAN N IZGIZGIZG AN GG A E PUHAHGHAAIGNN AIEDINIDEND MPHUNAMJGUPNUMNIGNZGMHGIEGHADANGGIZIZEDED J P PJUNIPPUIINPINPNIINGNGG SE UMJUUPMUPMUPNJMUMGNMGMPINGIPGUGJNUGGININGG ESSE SJUESPPEUIMJNPUIINPGINPNIINNGMGMP AESAEMSEASMPANMGPINGPGGPININ PJ SJU PIWW SE SW G RO N IINNUGIINGUMM G EIMN E EEESW GP P SGE N RASOW SRSARO ASPING EIW NEGE GGINING CI C M W RCEOEKRSCW A G KINSGIASW IKN AN AWOWORAW W O GGWI INGIKNINN M MMA LRAC ACACN I G I G IPAN WNANW KOLIKKILNKKLNRKIGKNORGINOCCG NNGG CN GININ M P IAPIUW M MU ANAILAN UNWLLMPAULALKILN GWKGWGGGGKKINING M KAIAKLIAN MS I A TIITNGIANAL L G APNPUIPTIUPAAAIULN GGKK GNIN INSIPPLSAPSILTPNAKLIINNNIG I APNIGP GGININ STSP NUSNPSLITNPANNIINNNTNITIUNNGIUILNGALGAT GG ESPSTINSETNISNETITNNENGISNGGPSPNGGTININ PPIP IP PINGI NIN GG SI TPNINPGIPNIN S SS SS N GGNN EPENG BA EPSDATSEEEDEPTDEN E IPNSGS GGININ LBASAEBDABESLDSTAENESDEPPTINIANNPTSGIAPTNTGIANTEGPEGPP GG PSNEIRE RYRPININ SL ENALANEV NTYD Y G BABNEABADC ALNELTCNANCTED G E G A E A ANBTIABNRAYCINRINYNRYNTT SBLA AINN SW LAILSDNALINCSDLISNINLCDGAILCIDGRNALIYNANGNGAARYRY SW SI WSSW I ININ G I S N C G S N L L N ILNIDINIDNGINDG GGCGCINING SS INGIGNGSINLSL G C SWSGW ININ IDI G GIGDID LICS LICNWCLLIIGN IW NSGGWGGININ MWI GNILMINIGSNG ICNBINM BINGI GING GG CLCBM LMGIINGIBNINN ICMLIIN MBICNGC GGGININ L BI G IBLGI LI GG

RE RERE A AEAR E E ARA RATARTT R TT RTRT SHSHSAHR ARATR SHS SASDHAATDDE T AHSDAHDAEADDSES B BO BOBUOOHUEAUDE EHEHADAD UBOBUBOLOUDULEDLDEE E E E LBDOL LBLROBORR EUDRL EDRDEURERUL L DD D TATATEAR ERER TAT TBTLEBLBELE BATLBLAABBLLT T EA B BABEBE E BAB BE ENBECNELNCEC LELE NBENBENEHN HH BCEH BE CHCCBEH N H NNC C CH H H

TRT TETE EEEE ERTEEERREEEET T

C B BCK K

BUB UBSHUSH US US SH BUH HBU

30003000 3000 3000

BI BIK KEB E R IK A BRIEAR CK KECA CK RK A

3000 3000 3000 3000

25002500 2500 2500

IIMNM IM IM N NN BI G GGBGI BIN BI N GN N G G G

F F FES

FE F ENFFECNNHCC HH NENEENEN E E FCE C CCFEEFE NE E E NN C

CC KK

B BCBK

BUB UBSBUHUSHSH US UUS SH BUH SHHBUBU

3000 3000 3000 30003000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 2500 2500 25002500 2500 25002500 2500 2500 2000 2000 2000 20002000 2000 20002000 2000 2000 1500 1500 1500 15001500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1000 1000 1000 1000 10001000 1000 10001000 1000 500 500 500 500500 500 500 500 500500 00

BU S S SH F FSFFEE FE F ENCF EHFNNNCCCE H H NEN EENEN EE FCE C CFCE FEE FE NE E ENCN NC C TR ETTTRRR ECE E TRT EETTTREEEEEE R ETEEE RREEEEETE T T RER RE RE E A EAAARR E E E ARA RT AAARTTT R R R R TT TTT SH ASSRHSHH ARATR ART SHS ADSSHSTHAAADDDEE T AHSDABD HE AAADDSDES SH B BO BOU BHOEOAOUDEUU HEEAEHDAD AD UBOU BLBDOBOOEUUULELDLDDEEERB E E E LBDOL RBLLOLBDORR O D EURL ER DDEUERERLRUL ULD DD D TA ETTRATAA ERER ER TAT BLTETTABBBLLELEE BATLBL AABBLBLTL T T EAE A B AEBBEB E BAB B BE ENCBBLEEENENNCCC LE LE LE NBEN BHEENENN HHH BCEH CH CCBCEHBHE BEN HN N N C C CH C HH H

3000 30003000 30003000 3000 3000

0 0 0 0 00 0

C C B CBKBBU KCK K

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CCRRC AARA CCRORCWWW OO RRGAGARCRWALLICNINLIN O AGR WRLGAG CGR O ROAW N IN I W AW RGGRNNLAAILIINW OEGLI L HHOAAAHRGOAZZREGEILZGN ANNNN DIN DR N IN GAIZNGD A GEIZANGGAG G HHAHGIGZN DI E IZ NI ANINEINN PAUJN HDGIGZND UN HPG GH Z MMUAGIPN MINGAINNED AEND ED P PUJUPUININGPGI GG G JPUUMMJPUM GGN I IN I MMUPIPN PJUI NMGGPUG NG M I N S P SEEJPUSUE J I IMNGPGIN P M EESMEMUMNGPGN I G IN PI JUAPIW SESE SSEAAWPSW PPUNMGGJUG NG ERESS ES ISINN IMNNGPGIIN ROO NGP M ASEARWO AEW EGSGINSGEEING PIN CCEW S C I I K A N I R K N ROOROI IN K NAWG SAW G W CAKCNRGGGIGN MMAM WWACAW I GI ANNA LRKLO ONGR N IN W WKKINLICINKKINCG OCG G W IN MMAM K GKGIN AIAPLULAINN ANNAIPPUU GI G I K KKLLW MI IPNMILAAW KGIANGGWNAG ING PAUNUPUATNTIANAIIMN L LNTGKAGIN SSPPLISLPALIN NNGK LK PTUITNAIPTG INIAN UGINGIGPUING ING I L N I L N N S I SPP SP INIA GNA LA GTII GTI T SSTITNINSSTINNN SGPGN NGSPNG IN EENPNE N SSESETSSTESPTPPIPINIIPNNGPNGIIINNNG INN G G DDEEEPDP ENSGGN E SENPPTINGGSITNG IN IENTINEP E G BSBAESAEDBDSAENDNPTTPITN LLAEASENELNAESANAERPGRPGAYINRSGEPIN PPI Y YD G N BBAABANNDTTNAD T E E A C A CRYBRNG EN G LLABALACBI INRN ANLYGTIG ANAYTA T SNSALNLLCSACN CAI NRGYLARY ARY IDIDILNNIND NC N SSWW SSLSW C LII ISLININGCGGIGN ING G IN IN SWSINNDGDIGSINNLIIND S SW L G SLG G G W N IGDGIIN CCLILNSICN INISNIW NIGD ID GLGIMI GGGIINSGGWING ING IMIW M I CCLLC BBININBGINNG IN IMICMLIMNCNGGIGN I GI G BLBI IINBLI INGGCLNG ING NM GNM IM GBI GBI B N NG IN G G

ETHNICITY 30003000 3000 3000

BUB USHBBBUUSSHSHH US UUUSS SH BUH SHHBHUBU

FEMALE

BI BI

MALE

KEB KBE KRE R IK IK A AC BRIEAREBRCI K K KECA KAE CKCRK RK A A

GENDER

BI BIBI

UNDER 5

KEB KBEBKRKE ERR IK IKIKA AAC BRIEAREERBCRIBKCI KK KECA AKAEKE CKCCRKR RK A K AA

CHILD (5-12)

TEEN (13-18)

BI BBBII IK

M ET M A

MWMEATA L EEL W TTTE WSWATALARL ATTOAER TE ST EN STBSONRER ORTIOCE PL B N N ABNRI EKE PLPLA RTBI RICNIK AP N CC AR NLA TI KGK N N T AR A TIF IDNT G N TI RT ICIA D IRG FAIRIFIC LD IR TG CT F IA TIUD T IAIC L RRITR LGITATU FT RLUATR F GGRA VRUEFRLF RGA V BRVAAEL ERV AS BA LKEL BP R ASASPAHBRAALKKR PRAHUSHA TK PBHLT COR A R U BLAETRLT C COUNBRCBUBRBBER O CN EEBT NOCR REER CNSCET RAER E NE S TDT SAGASNDEE RNAA NS G D G GRA SD RARSS SASSS

ADULT (18-64)

KEB KE BRBBKKI EEERRR IK IIAKKKE AAACC BRIEAR CEEBKRRIRBCI KKKBIK KECA AKAAEKCE E CK CCRKKR R RK KA A A A

M ME ET T M M A AL

MWMEAWTAETLAM ETTETLTELET E WW A WSWASTAATLARWLR L ATTOATEORERAT TEN E ST STEN STBSOBNORENSR E R ORTIOCREICTEO PL PLB BN N N A ARNRIEKEK E PLPLAPBLNRATBIIRICNTIKICNBKRI A PLN NPCLTCKGKG CK ARAR NA TI AINN N N T T AR A ATIF IF IDNT DGI GTI N RT N TI RTRTIICAIIACIAD IDRG FAIRIFICFIRCTLDLIRT TIGR G CT F IA IAIFTIUD TU TD IAIC L LICRRITR RF IR T LGITATGU IAUFT T RLUATRRA LRTF F GGRGARVRUAEFRVLFELURF RGA V GV R BRVAABEAL ELA ERV R V ASABSABALKELK EL BP PRH R ASASPAASHBPRAALKKRALKBTAR PRAHUSHRAUHAATSKP K PBHLBT LTH B COCRO RA R UNUBLBAETRLTERALT C COCUNOBRCBUBRBCBERRBREURB O CN NC EEBTET B NOCRCORNREER E ER CNSCESTETC RAERAENER NE E S STDT D TE SAGASGNARDENESD RNAA A A NS S N G GRD G GRA ASDGS S D RARSS SR SASSS ASS

SENIOR (65+)

MMME E ET T T M MMA AAL L

ETWETELT MWW EMATTEAATTALAETALMELMETET WE R R AA WW LL L WSWASTSAATALARTW ATTOTAEOTROEREWRATAT TENN E E S S SEN STTBSOBTNOBTRONERNSESE RR ORTIORCIRECICETEOTO PLPLPBL BN N NN A ARANNRBRIEKI EKK E E PLPLPABLPNALRATBIIRICTNIIKTNCICNKBKRBIRI CP PCGLKGG CCKK A PLN NN ARAAR R NA TI TLTIK AI A N N T T T AR A ATAIFIFIF IDNTDGNDI NGNI GNTITI NTRTRT NNGG TI RTRTRTIICIAIICAAICIAIDA DIRG DG FAIRIFICFIFCIRCLTD CT F IAIARIAITLFIUIDTILFRUTTIRUITRTDD IAIC L L LIRCRIITCRRFRF IRIR LGITAGTGUTTUIAUFTIA TT RLUARTARRARLRF LTF T F GGRGAGRVRRAUEAVFRLEVFLELUURFRF RGA V VGVGRR BRVABAEABLAELELAA ERVRR VV ASABASASBBALAKELKK ELEL BP PHRPHRR ASASAPASAHPSBRAPALKKARALKTLKBTABARR PRAHUSRHURAHUHAATAKASPSP KK PA BHBLBTBLBTLTHH CCO CO R RUONRNURUBBLAEBTRLETRERAALTLT C COCCUONOBRCBUBRCBBCREBREBRREURRUB B O CN NNCEECBTETET B B NOCRCCRORROENERNE E ERER CNSCESTSETETCC RAERAEANNE ERR EE NE S STS DT DD TETE SAGASGNAGRDANERNEDSDS RNAA AA AA NS S S NNDD G GGRD S S D S G GRA RAASGSG RARSS S SRR SASSS AASSSS

AGE

BBI I BIK KK E BBI I BEIEKRRA RA KKE EACC C BERI R BRIKK KBIK KAEA AK CCRK CE KR E R AK A AC BBUUBU CK CK K SS S BU BUBHUH H SHSBHSHB B U FEFEFE USHUSH SH NN N FEFEFCECEECE NN NC F CFECE FE E NE N NC C TTR TR E CE E REE E TTR TERE E RE E E ETER ET TR E RE E AAR AR E E E RTT T AAR AR RTT T SH SHSH ARTAR ART AADAD T DE E SHSHSH AAS AEDS S BBOOBO D HDE E HE HA UUL UL AD AD DE B BBOO OLDD D E E E U UBUL LBERRERB LD DO O OD UE E EUR UL RLRD LD D TTAATA ER ER ER BB B TATATLALEELE BLBTLBLT T E A BBEEBE EAEBL ABL BL NN N E E E BEBEBCECHHCH NNB NC B CCEH BHE E NH N NC C C H H H

M MMM ET EETETTA AMM AALLL M M

LEE ET WW TT A M MWMEATW E EATLWAATATAEATMELELEMLTET ETA W RA A E W TTW WSWATASSLARASALTTAWTRERW LWL L ATTOAERTTOOOEERNRARTAT AT TSESTNN E E E ER S ESN STTBSONBRTBTEOBRORNONS NEES RSRT ORTIOCERRICICICTEEOETO ON L NBR KKKN N E PL BPPLPLN RREII IC E E A RAANABNBEKN PLPLABNPRPLTBLPIAIARILCNIAKNTTITNCICNIBKNKRKBPI RI BRIC P P GGGCLAKCK K A PLN CNNCK A TI GTLTKIAITLIAN AR AARRN RTAN NNN NG NT N T T T AR A TAIAF A IFIFIFIIDN TT I T GDDIDIGG N RRITRTTININ NG TI RT RIRCTTRIIAITAIICFICADICAIAIIRAG FAIRIFIC FFILICDRCICRIRTLLTTALDGTDRTIDIRTRIRT G G CT F IA TIIAIUAIDFIATIF UUUTITRFDI D DI IAIC L RLRLITCRLITCRRFFFCIRI IR RT F G T T T LGITATUGG RIUAUUIAR ATLT RLUATRRRAAARLRVFTFLFT TU GF GGRAGVGRURERFRLAARFVAVEELELUL RUFGRF RF RGA V BVGVVRGER R BRVAAELBBAAAEELLAL A AV ERV RRRKV V E AS BAAASASLSBKEBPALABAKK ELEL L BP RPPHHHRRRK B ASASPAHAABRASAASPLKPKRSPAHALAKLTKBTLATBRAAR ARK PRAHUSHARRURUHTHUKAAASAPSLP KSPK BHLRTBBBBBLBLTTHTH HA CPA CORCCO R UOONRBNRLAUNEUTRLBUBTBEERERRALATLT LT C COUNCCBRCOCOBUBROBBENCRCRCRBBRREEBUERRREBURB RUBB O CN NNEECBT CEETTTCEBOB E NOCR CCREOERRNORENEE ENRER R CNSCETSSSEEATTCTCE CR RAER EAANNNEER R E NE DE E T S TSDTS SADD TETE E SAGASNGDGEARGAERNRNDNSDDS SA RNAA AAAA A N NG SSSSSSNDND D SSG G GD R D G GRA RRAASGAS SG G RARSS SSRS R RA SASSS ASAS SS SS

THE FINDINGS

(BY SURFACES, FEATURES, & PLAY ELEMENTS)

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SURFACES Grass was the most popular surface in the London playgrounds, but was also the largest area overall, ranging up to 94% of the useable space in Brockwell Park Playground, for instance. Sand was the second most popular surface, but was always a much smaller offering, between 4-20% of the useable space. Often however, it was given center stage, around a central play feature, like the pirate ship at Princess Diana Memorial Playground, at the base of the giant mound and embankment slides at Pools Playground, or close to the entrance, like at King Square Gardens. Adults vastly preferred grass over every other surface. Children loved grass and sand fairly equally, but definitely over other surfaces. There were no distinct gender preferences for any surfaces. Users in the grass were fairly sedentary, as they would set up picnics and social gatherings at the perimeter and throughout the playground. Sand was surprisingly active, as it was often used as a landing pad for kids and teens launching themselves off of play structures, like the pirate ship at Princess Diana Memorial Playground, or the slide at Pools Playground, or the climbing structure at King Square Gardens. SITE FEATURES Benches were very popular for adults and seniors. Variety was key, with different sizes and types spread throughout the playground at regular intervals and related to specific play areas, like the long benches at the under five play area at Clissold Park Playground. Some bench design can encourage running and jumping, like the circular bench at Jubilee Gardens Playground, but that same bench also contributed to a significant drop (25%) in activity levels in adults, so in addition to providing benches, the design must include opportunities to get adults moving, either solo or with their children. Boulders are always a great addition to playgrounds, providing seating, climbing, jumping, and hiding opportunities. They also increase the activity levels of the site features.

PLAY ELEMENTS Climbing and swinging are the true favorites of every playground. All kids have a compulsion to climb, even a few inches off the ground. A variety of open ended, non-prescriptive climbing elements is key, like the timber towers at Tumbling Bay Playground, or the scramble climbers at Jubilee Gardens. Scale is also important. Tiny timber tangles and wood steppers support under five’s, while teens and adults want more risk and adventure. Height and a sense of danger is helpful, like the custom climber at Clapton Common Playground. Swings are a must in every playground. Basket swings in particular serve all ages, and huge groups. We observed one basket swing holding twelve children, fully operational. Children crave the sensation of movement that only a swing can provide. Adults love the nesting quality, and would often lay with younger children inside. Giant swings, like the Viking at Victoria and Alexandra Playground also offer great team building and communication opportunities, as it swings highest with lots of people working together. MAINTENANCE/OPERATIONS Many of the London playgrounds utilized surfaces and structures that require significant maintenance. Grass needs to be mowed, sand sifted for sharps and contaminants, and plantings tended to. Custom structures with wood elements need monthly and yearly inspections and repairs. Some wood manufactured structures have been dried and treated, and have a longer life span than typical exposed wood. There is no maintenance free playground. They are evolving public realms that can be well (and over) loved. Almost every London playground in the study had maintenance staff that was observed on a daily basis. Every playground was well tended to and had minimal observable deficiencies, such as trash, broken surfaces or structures, with the exception of Burgess, Jubilee, and Olympic, all of which received new poured in place rubber surfacing during the study. Site staff is key to the success of these spaces and is another piece of the popularity puzzle. A well cared for space tells people, and their children, that they are cared for and safe.

Climbing structures and swings are the true heroes of every playground, but work best with their partners: sand, grass and water. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

TUMBLING BAY PLAYGROUND, QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK

20 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

PLAYGROUND COMPARISONS

London vs New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE COMPARISON

We partnered with the RAND Corporation to compare our London playground data to their National Study of Neighborhood Parks (NSNP). We focused on New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as these cities had population densities that most closely matched that of London. We found eight playgrounds in the NSNP that most closely matched those studied in London, based on size and population density. CLAPTON COMMON PLAYGROUND (.22 AC, 92,833 POP/MI)* MARCONI PARK, NEW YORK CITY (.19 AC, 78,224 POP/MI) JUBLIEE GARDENS PLAYGROUND (.24 AC, 68,429 POP/MI) HILLTOP PARK, SAN FRANCISCO (.25 AC, 71,796 POP/MI) KILBURN GRANGE PLAYGROUND (.32 AC, 98,815 POP/MI) COM. BARRY PARK, NEW YORK CITY (.59 AC, 96,025 POP/MI) KING SQUARE GARDENS (.63 AC, 139,585 POP/MI) BROWER PARK, NEW YORK CITY (.46 AC, 171,637 POP/MI) KNIGHTSBRIDGE PLAYGROUND (.47 AC, 56,862 POP/MI) SOUTH PARK, LOS ANGELES (.34 AC, 69,697 POP/MI) OLYMPIC PARK PLAYGROUND (.54 AC, 53,047 POP/MI) ST MARY’S REC, SAN FRANCISCO (.3 AC, 63,111 POP/MI) SPA FIELDS PLAYGROUND (.42 AC, 132,369 POP/MI) WILLIAMSBRIDGE OVAL, NEW YORK CITY (.4 AC, 114,667 POP/MI) WELLINGTON PLAYGROUND (.25 AC, 56,220 POP/MI) POTRERO HILL, SAN FRANCISCO (.38 AC, 52,153 POP/MI)

Many of the London playgrounds are much larger than the ones studied as part of the NSNP, which resulted in eight having no comparable match. BURGESS PARK PLAYGROUND (.92 AC, 113,815 POP/MI) MARYLEBONE GREEN PLAYGROUND (1.02 AC, 80,692 POP/MI) BROCKWELL PARK PLAYGROUND (1.22 AC, 79,037 POP/MI) CLISSOLD PARK PLAYGROUND (1.42 AC, 109,990 POP/MI) PRINCESS DIANA PLAYGROUND (1.98 AC, 100,188 POP/MI) TUMBLING BAY PLAYGROUND (2.1 AC, 55,116 POP/MI) V&A PLAYGROUND (2.1 AC, 99,920 POP/MI) POOLS PLAYGROUND (3.5 AC, 81,766 POP/MI)

* AC = ACRES POP/MI = POPULATION/MILE

22 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

3. CLAPTON COMMON PLAYGROUND 5. JUBILEE GARDENS PLAYGROUND 6. KILBURN GRANGE PLAYGROUND 7. KING SQUARE GARDENS

3. MARCONI PARK 5. HILLTOP PARK 6. COMMODORE BARRY PARK 7. BROWER PARK

8. KNIGHTSBIRDGE BARRACKS PLAYGROUND 10. OLYMPIC PARK PLAYGROUND 13. SPA FIELDS PLAYGROUND 16. WELLINGTON BARRACKS PLAYGROUND

8. SOUTH PARK 10. ST. MARY’S RECREATION CENTER 13. WILLIAMBRIDGE OVAL PLAYGROUND 16. POTRERO HILL PLAYGROUND

We found that playgrounds in London had 55% more visitors and 16-18% more physical activity in children and teens than comparable playgrounds in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE FINDINGS (MORE POPULAR, MORE ACTIVE)

MORE POPULAR We found that the London playgrounds had 55% more visitors than comparable U.S. playgrounds in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, assessed as part of the National Study of Neighborhood Parks (NSNP).To establish comparisons, we first determined playground size through a Google Maps calculator.1 Defining playground boundaries was relatively simple for the NSNP playgrounds, as most had either a fence or surfacing demarcating the edge condition. For some of the London playgrounds, such as Pools Playground or Clapton Common Playground, the line was not entirely clear, so assumptions were made based on pavement edges or apparent edge of play zone (see site plans in section ‘Playground Analyses’, pages 28-125). Population was defined through zip code (U.S.)2 and ward (U.K.)3 census data. Population density was determined by first converting hectares to square kilometers to square miles, for comparison from metric (U.K.) to imperial (U.S.). The population was then assumed to be equally distributed within that zip code or ward. Then the percentage of the zip code or ward that fell within the playground service area (defined as a one mile circle from the center of each playground) was determined, and that percentage of the total distributed population was taken (i.e. 10% of zipcode or ward one, 60% of zipcode or ward two, and 30% of zipcode or ward three = total population density in playground service area). As the playgrounds varied in size, we felt that the comparisons would be more consisent if they were compared by visitor density per acre. For this calculation, we utilized visitation counts per the standard System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) protocol. SOPARC observes only three times per day, four days per week and was used on the NSNP playgrounds. Our assessment collected data five to six times per day.We eliminated the extra observation periods from the London playground assessments

for the comparison study. This reduced our visitor count to 14,583, down from 18,142. We then took the total visitation (N) for each playground divided by the acreage (A), then divided by the population density (PD) within the one mile service area to establish average playground visitor density (VD). Total Visitors (N) / Playground Acreage (A) / Population Density (PD)

24 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Average Visitor Density (VD)

The NSNP playground visitors ranged from 0 to 861 people per playground (N). Acreage ranged from .19 to .46 acres, with an average of .36 acres (A). Population densities ranged from 52.2 per square mile to 171.6 per square mile, with an average of 89.7 per square mile (PD), with population figures given in 10,000’s. Visitor density ranged between 0 and 188 with an average of 76.2 (VD). The London playground visitors ranged from 119 to 807 people per playground (N). Acreage ranged from .22 to .63 acres, with an average of .39 acres (A). Population densities ranged from 53.0 per square mile to 139.6 per square mile, with an average of 87.2 per square mile (PD). Visitor density ranged between 14 and 299 with an average of 118 (VD).

NSNP London

Visitors (N) 1989 3181

Acreage Population Visitor (A) Density (PD) Density (VD) .36 89.7 76.2 .39 87.2 118

Based on our calculations, average population densities and acreage were similar, however, visitation in the London playgrounds was higher, leading to a much higher visitor density. Through this comparison, we demonstrated that the London playgrounds had 55% more visitors than the comparable playgrounds in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.

HTTPS://WWW.DAFTLOGIC.COM/PROJECTS-GOOGLE-MAPS-AREA-CALCULATOR-TOOL.HTM HTTP://DOC.ARCGIS.COM/EN/ESRI-DEMOGRAPHICS/DATA/CENSUS-ACS.HTM 3 HTTPS://DATA.LONDON.GOV.UK/CENSUS/DATA/ 1

MORE ACTIVE Utilizing the same metrics that determined popularity, we also looked at age and activity levels. We found that the London playgrounds had 5% fewer children, 10% fewer teens, but 14% more adults than the NSNP playgrounds. Seniors remained virtually the same in both. Children were 18% more physically active (moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is defined as expending energy at a walking level or above), and teens were 16% more physically active. Adults and seniors had similar behavior patterns in the NSNP and London playgrounds. Adults were, on average, 74% sedentary and 26% physically active, and seniors were, on average, 78% sedentary and 22% physically active. Climbing contributed 20% of physical activity for children and teens. Sand contributed 14% and hard surfaces, with space to run or play games like tag and soccer, contributed another 10%. Swings and grass both contributed 9%. These spaces had the majority (53%) of physical activity for children and teens. For adults and seniors, 49% of their physical activity took place on hard surfaces and grass, either walking, cycling or running. Second to that, 11% of adult and senior physical activity took place while engaged with swings, either using them or pushing a child or children. Sand contributed 8% of physical activity, with climbing structures contributing another 6%. For surfaces, children were most active on sand and hard surfaces, while adults and seniors were most active on grass and hard surfaces. Climbers and swings were the most active play structures for all ages, at 35% and 20%, respectively. Bench design is also critical. One playground in particular, Jubilee Gardens, had a significant (25%) reduction in adult and senior physical activity, possibly given its extensive linear bench, which had a big footprint in the playground and provided many social opportunities, but few physical activity options for adults.

Climbing, swinging, grass, sand and hard surfaces with plenty of space for games like tag and soccer were most popular and encouraged the most physical activity for all ages. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

THE FINDINGS (LESS INJURY, LESS COST)

LESS INJURY The U.S. has consistently had higher rates of injury and death on playgrounds than the U.K. A study by Ball in 20021 demonstrated that the U.K. injury rate was 320/100k and fatality rate was negligible, only .002/100k. By comparison, in a similar time period, Mack et al2 and Tinsworth3 demonstrated that the U.S. injury rate was 382/100k and 392/100k, respectively, and fatality rate was .03/100k. A new report released earlier this year by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)4 provides the most complete current picture of injury and fatality data for U.S. playgrounds. From 2009-2014, the injury amount ranged from 233,000 to 267,000, with an average of 243,200 injuries per year. There was also an unusual spike in injuries in 2012, that resulted in an injury average of 247,075 for 2012-2014. In order to calculate the injury rate per 100,000 population, we followed the lead of Mack et al. We isolated the injuries in the 0-14 age range only, which amounted to 92% of the total injuries and an average of 222,787 injuries per year. We used population data from the U.S. Census Bureau5 to calculate the average population for the 0-14 age range from 2009-2014, which was 61.13 million. We then divided the average injuries (IN) by average population (P) and then multiplied by 100,000 to get the average U.S. injury rate (IR) from 2009-2014 of 364/100k. Average Injuries (IN) / Average Population (P) x 100,000

Injury Rate/100k (IR)

As part of the study, CPSC reported 34 deaths from 20092014, with an average of 5.66 deaths per year. Using the same equation, substituting injury for death, this results in a fatality rate of .009/100k. However, as the CPSC data did not include ages in fatality statistics, this number includes adults and is potentially overstated.

Country

Period

Fatality Rate (per

Injury Rate (per

Source

.002 .03b

320a 382c 392 364e

Ball1 Mack et al2 Tinsworth3 CPSC4 and this report

100k pop.)

U.K. U.S. U.S. U.S.

1990’s 1990-94 1998 20092014

.009d

100k pop.)

For 0-16 age range, population of 13 million. Equipment-related cases only. Average of 17 fatalities each year. 67% of fatalities occur at home. c For 0-14 age range, population of 55 million. 70% of injuries on public playgrounds. d For 0-14 year age range, population of 61.13 million, per Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau.5 63% of injuries on public playgrounds, 14% at home, 22% location not reported. e Injury rate for 2012-2014 is 372/100k. b

The U.K. has released injury data for 2009-2014, but it has not been assessed with the same granularity as the Ball report and is not associated directly to playgrounds. Therefore, there is not a current accurate U.K. data set to compare with this most current release from CPSC. What can be noted from the chart above is the injury trend. For the U.S., we remain at a higher injury and fatality rate than the U.K., even when comparing current data for 2009-2014 to the mid 1990’s of the Ball report. Additionally, it is worrisome that our injury rate has begun to increase from 2012-2014, with an injury rate of approximately 372/100k. For this calculation, we used the 247,075 injury average for 2012-2014, multiplied by 92% for the 0-14 age range, divided by 61.08 million, the average 0-14 age range population from 2012-2014, and multiplied by 100,000. This rate may be an outlier, but could also be indicative of a larger problem. We have spent millions in pursuit of safer playgrounds, and while our death rate has decreased significantly, our injuries have not followed the same trend.

BALL, ‘PLAYGROUNDS: RISKS, BENEFITS AND CHOICES,’ CONTRACT RESEARCH REPORT, HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE, 2002. M. G. MACK, S. HUDSON AND D. THOMPSON, ‘A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND INJURIES IN THE UNITED STATES 1990-4,’ INJURY PREVENTION, 3, 100-103, 1997. 3 D. K. TINSWORTH, ‘PLAYGROUND INJURIES – 1990 VS TODAY,’ PROCEEDINGS OF ‘PLAYGROUND SAFETY,’ PENN STATE, 1999. 4 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, ‘INJURIES AND INVESTIGATED DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT,’ 2017. 5 HTTP://DATACENTER.KIDSCOUNT.ORG/DATA/TABLES/101-CHILD-POPULATION-BY-AGE-GROUP#DETAILED/1/ANY/ FALSE/36,868,867,133,38/62,63,64/419,420 1 2

26 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

LESS COST Eleven of the London playgrounds had available costs, either published publicly online, or through communication with the design teams. Several playground costs were lumped into whole park renovations and could not be separated. (see costs in section ‘Playground Analyses’, pages 28-125). Three playgrounds in the study were renovations to existing spaces (Marylebone Playground, Pools Playground, and Victoria and Alexandra Playground). Additionally, Tumbling Bay Playground made use of salvaged materials from the 2012 Olympic Games, such as plantings, stone, and concrete elements. These four playgrounds were considered outliers to average playground costs, and were not included in our estimates. Excluding those four, the remaining seven London playgrounds ranged in cost from $14-55 per square foot with an average cost of $30 per square foot. By contrast, the average cost of the comparison U.S. playgrounds was $48 per square foot. For example, Potrero Hill Playground in San Francisco and Spa Fields Park in London are the same size, yet Spa Fields cost two and a half times less and serves two and a half times more children and families. The primary reason in the cost difference between the playgrounds in the U.K. and the U.S. lies in the choices of surfaces and structures. Many of the London playgrounds utilized significant areas of grass and sand, which costs between $1-4 per square foot, as opposed to the comparison U.S. playgrounds, which had poured in place rubber or rubber tile, ranging between $1020 per square foot. For structures, rather than rely on solely manufactured elements, play was supplemented with cost effective options, such as salvaged logs and timbers, boulders, plantings, and trees. This focus, on a variety of surfaces and play elements, made the London playgrounds more economical than the comparable U.S. ones, while at the same time increasing their popularity.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

KILBURN GRANGE PLAYGROUND

28 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

PLAYGROUND ANALYSES

The Influences of Surfaces, Features, & Play Elements on Play Behavior LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

BROCKWELL PARK PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF LAMBETH SIZE: .49 HECTARES (1.22 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2012

DESIGNER: LAND USE CONSULTANTS EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: £500,000 IN 2012 ($735,000 IN 2017)

A playground with a wide variety of equipment, and often filled with teens attracted to riskier play elements like the spinner, which elevates kids almost completely horizontal as it spins. 30 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Brockwell Park in Herne Hill, South London was developed as a public park in 1892. The Park is under the management of Lambeth Council. The highly popular 50 hectare (123.5 acre) space was in need of renovation and Land Use Consultants (LUC) was retained to develop a master plan. A £6 million ($9.88 million adjusted*) effort for the whole park was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund / BIG Lottery and Lambeth Council. £500,000 ($735,000) went to the half hectare (1.22 acre) playground, which was reopened in 2012. The renovation included a total redevelopment of the children’s play area, improvements to the wet play area, restoration of the lakes, new trees and plantings, new railings and gates, and pathway improvements. The play area has grass mounds for picnicing, as well as timber benches, tables, and boulders for adults and caregivers to use, spread throughout the space. It is surrounded with mature trees, as well as many newly installed ones. It also has planted areas throughout, for an overall feel of being embeded in nature. Split into three distinct areas, the playground appeals to a variety of ages.The toddler area has swings, playhouses, wobble dishes, a rocking sail boat, accordion stepper, slides, and a large sand play area with boulders. The school age play area has a salvaged log bridge, suspension bridge, playhouses set in sand, see-saw, climbing wall, and swings. An adjacent play area appeals to older children and teens with a zip line, log climber, nest swing, and whirlwind spinner. A wet play area was also included as part of the redevelopment effort, but was seperated from the larger play area by a series of lakes. While it was also a successful play space, it was considerably smaller and had fewer users. Our study focused on the larger play area, which provided a wider variety of equipment and surfaces. *ALL COSTS ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION IN POUNDS,1 THEN CONVERTED TO 2017 DOLLARS2

HTTP://INFLATION.STEPHENMORLEY.ORG/ GOOGLE CALCULATOR, AT EXCHANGE OF £1 TO $1.47, OCTOBER 20, 2017 1

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

12 11

21 10

18 10

9 20 9

20 9 8

4 1

23 19

0’

32 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

1 BARK

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

SAND

GRASS

FEATURES

CONCRETE

TREE

ASPHALT

BOULDER

4 5 6

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

BENCH

TABLE

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 MANIPULATING

CRAWLING

PASSIVE

ORGANIZED

HANGING

JUMPING

ROCKING

SEESAWING

SPINNING

CLIMBING

BALANCING

SLIDING

SWINGING

18 21

19 22

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

34 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS LE

100 100

L W C ATI ALK RA N IN W GCRA G LI WL N IN O PA GSEDE G RG SS NT AN IVEORG ARY H IZ ANI AN ED ZE G HAN D JU ING GING M JU RO PIN MPIN G G SE CK ROC ES IN S KIN AW G EES G SP IN AWI IN G S NG P C NIN INNI L N BA IMB G CLIM G LA IN B BIN N G ALA G C N SL ING CING SW IDI SLID IN NG SW ING G IN INGI G NG

TA B

100 100

30 30

20 20

L W C ATI ALK RA N C IN W G RA G LI WL N IN O PA GSEDE G RG SS NT AN IVEORG ARY H IZ ANIZ AN ED E D G JUM JU ING H PING M A RO PIN NGIN G G SE CK ROC ES IN S KIN AW GEES G SP IN AWI IN G S NG P C NIN INNI L N BA IMB G CLIM G LA IN B BIN N GALA G C N C SL ING ING SW IDI SLID IN NGSW ING G IN IN GI G NG

TA B

IP U

0 10

TA BL E

B LE

B EN

50 80

LA T WA RA IN LKIN W GCRA G LI WL N I O PA GSEDE NG RG SS NT AN IVEORG ARY H IZ ANI AN ED ZE G HAN D JU ING GIN G M JU RO PIN MPIN G G SE CK ROC ES IN S KIN AW GEES G SP IN AW IN GS ING P C NIN INN L IN BA IMB GCLI G LA IN B MBIN N GALA G C N SL ING CING SW IDI SLI D IN NGSW ING G IN IN GI G NG

T R EE

LD OUL ER DER

BE N

BO U

RAGR SASSS

NSAN DD

PHAS APHLA TLT

100 100

L W C ATI ALK RA N IN W G CRA G LI WL N I O PA GSEDE NG RG SS NT AN IVEORG ARY H IZ ANI AN ED ZE G HAN D JU ING GIN G M JU RO PIN MPIN G SE CK ROC G ES IN S KIN AW G EE G SP IN SAW IN G S ING P C NIN INN L IN BA IMB G CLI G LA IN B MBIN N G ALA G C N SL ING CING SW IDI SLI D IN NG SW ING G IN INGI G NG

RGAR SASSS

FEATURES

N C

TA BL

O U

0 B

00 R

50 50

00 TR

50 50

U LD

150 150

SEDENTARY G

200 200

MODERATE SAS NAN DD

50 50

VIGOROUS LATLT

ACTIVITY LEVELS 50 50

100 100

RAGR SASSS

150 150

WHITE

BLACK

RAGR SASSS

200 200

MIDDLE EASTERN

NSAN DD

250 250

OTHER

SA NSAN DD

ETHNICITY PAH

FEMALE

PAHS

MALE

GENDER

PHAS APHLA TLT

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

O NCO CN RECR TEETE

RBAKR

TEEN (13-18)

AS PHAS APHLA TLT

ADULT (18-64)

NCO CN RCER TEETE

RKR

SENIOR (65+)

NCO CN RECR TEETE

RBAKR

AGE

NCO CN RECR TEETE

RBAKR

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 150

70 70

100 100

300 300

250 250

200 200

150 150

100 100

30 30

20 60

300 300

100 100

300 300

250 250

100 100

50 90

CONCLUSIONS We observed 1064 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass had the most users in the playground, but also had the largest footprint, at 94% of the useable space.

•

The sand, at only 4% of the useable area of the playground, had the second highest usage. This was higher than usage on any of the play structures.

•

Children were the majority users of the site, followed closely by adults.

•

The central part of the site, with grass mound and tables, was a primary location for adults. It had excellent site lines to most of the play areas, and was close to the bathroom.

•

Males and females used the play surfaces and structures fairly equally, but there was a predominance of females on site features, such as boulders, benches, and tables.

•

Users of site features were almost entirely sedentary, except for boulders, which supported climbing and jumping.

•

The top five play activities were swinging, sliding, balancing, climbing, and spinning.

•

Between three quarters to all of the participants in the top five play activities were physically active.

•

Approximately half of users in the sand and grass areas were physically active.

•

The hard surfaces (asphalt and concrete) promoted the most physical activity of any surface, primarily through cycling, scooting, running, and walking.

•

Children were most attracted to the grass, slides, and swings.

•

Teens were most attracted to the spinner. A bench and boulders were adjacent to the spinner, allowing teens to gather and watch their friends.

•

Adults were most attracted to the grass, slides, and swings.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the grass and sand.

Teens love to show off to their friends. Even small sand areas have huge impacts. Adults prefer grass over benches. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

BURGESS PARK PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK SIZE: .37 HECTARES (.92 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2012

DESIGNER: LDA DESIGN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: EIBE COST: PART OF £8 MIL. PROJECT ($14.46 MIL IN 2017)

A playground with a massive hill slide so popular they had to install rubber surfacing around it, not to protect from falls, but to stabilize the soil, along with log climbers and sand play for young kids. 36 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Burgess Park, at 51 hectares (1.26 acres), is both one of the largest public parks in South London and the largest in the borough of Southwark. It is surrounded by one fifth of the lowest income wards in London, and is a vital public space resource for the local community. In March 2009, Burgess Park was awarded £2 million ($3.6 million) from the Mayor’s Priority Parks scheme, with an additional £4 million ($7.2 million) coming from the New Deal for Communities (NDC). LDA Design crafted the master plan in 2010 and the first phase of work was complete in the summer of 2012 for a total cost of £8 million ($14.46 million), which included the playground renovation. The first phase included several key elements, such as a path network, large earthen berms, enlargement of the lake and habitat restoration, and a new play area that integrated with an existing cafe and Chumleigh Gardens, a historic almshouse turned community center. The play area is split into three zones, two enclosed with fences, and the third, a water play space in the concrete adjacent to the cafe, which was off during much of the study. The toddler play area includes sand, grass mounds, planted areas for hide and seek, timber climbers, basket swing, small scale slide and two tot swings. A linear bench at the perimeter is highly popular for caregivers. The school age play area has numerous mounds, covered in rubber surfacing, wound through with asphalt paths that encourage cycling, skating, and scooting. Play structures include a giant net climber, zip line, spinner, and basket swing. Site features include boulders for climbing, benches, tables, and table tennis facilities. The earthen berm is integrated into the rear of the play area, and has a giant slide and embankment ropes for scrambling. In 2015, rubber surfacing was added around the slide, as significant use had eroded the slope.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

18 11 10

15 3 11

18 2 12

6 7

8 19

0’

38 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

1 PLANTING

SAND

GRASS

CONCRETE

ASPHALT

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER PLACE RUBBER

4 5 6

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

7 BUSH

TABLE

BOULDER

BENCH

8 9 10

11 BALANCING

SLIDING

12 STEPPING

SPINNING

SWINGING

13 ORGANIZED

HANGING

WALKING

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

40 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 40 40

20 20

LA B NALA CN INCIN GG ST EP ST EP P O P RG INGING ANORG IZANIZ EDED SL ID SLI INDIN GG H AN H GANG IN IN GG SP IN SPI N NN IN IN W GG AL WA K LK SW INGING IN SWI G NG IN IN G C LI C G M LIM BI B N ING G

60 LA B NALA C NC ININ GG ST EPST EP P O P RG O INIGNG ANRG IZANIZ EDED SL IDSLI INDIN GG H ANH GANG ININ GG SP IN SPI N NN ININ W GG ALWA K LK SW INIGNG INSWI G NG ININ G C LI C G M LIM BI B NING G

H CH

BE N

C H

80 80

0 0

8080

80 80

NBALA C N INCIN GG ST EP ST EP P O P RG O INGING ANRG IZANIZ EDED SL ID SLI INDIN GG H AN H G ANG IN IN GG SP IN SPI N NN IN IN W GG AL WA K LK SW INGING IN SWI G NG IN IN G C LI C G M LIM BI B N ING G

LD OUL ER DER

BE N

BO U

80 80

NBALA CN INCI GNG ST EP ST EP P O RG INPGING ANORG IZANIZ EDED SL ID SLI INDIN GG H AN H GANG IN IN GG SP IN SP N INN IN IN W GG AL W K ALK SW INGING IN SW G ING IN IN G C LI C G M LIM BI B N ING G

H CH

ER DER

TA BL TAB E L

FEATURES

60 60 BE

N BEN C C HH

2020

ERLDER

4040

6060

U BO LD UL ERDER

20 20

40 40

LE ABLE

TA B

60 60

LETABL

TA B

20 20

SH BU

UNDER 5

SHBU

40 40

LEABL

00 BU

PHASP AHLA TLT RU R BBUBB ERER

RAGR SASSS O C NO C NC RE RE TETE

CHILD (5-12)

TA B

SHBU

RU BRBUB EBRER

PHAS APHLA TLT

NCO CN RECR TEETE

SHBU SH

RU BRUBB EBRER

SPA HL ATL T

PAH

NCO CN RCER TETE

RAGR SASSS

SA S NAN DD

60 60

RU BRUBB EBRER

LATLT

PAH

PAHS

SEDENTARY

ACTIVITY LEVELS

C OC NO CNC RER TETEE

WHITE

SSS

BLACK

RSA

MIDDLE EASTERN

RGA

OTHER

ETHNICITY

RGAR SASSS

FEMALE

MALE

NSAN DD

GENDER

TEEN (13-18)

SN AN DD

NPLA TINT N IN GG

PL A

ADULT (18-64)

TIN NTIN GG

ANP

SENIOR (65+)

N DD

NTIN GG

LT AN I

ANP

AGE

SAS NA

INTIN GG

LA TN

ANP

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

140 140

120 120

100 100 100 100

80 80

60 60 40 40

20 20

140 140

120 120 120 120

100 100 100 100

80 80

60 60 40 40

20 20

140 140

120 120 120 120

100 100 100 100

80 80

60 60 40 40

20 20

VIGOROUS 140 140

120 120 120 120

MODERATE 100 100 100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20

CONCLUSIONS As all three of the play areas were in close proximity, they were all included in the assessment. Of note, the water play area was turned off for all but one of the assessment periods. We observed 567 users in the playground and discovered: •

The poured in place rubber surfacing was the most used space in the playground and had the largest footprint, at 62% of the useable space.

•

A majority of the users on the rubber surface were on the mounds, popular for biking, scooting and skating, as well as spots for gathering and sitting for all ages.

•

The embankment around the slide was the second most used space. All ages climbed, scrambled, or just hung out at various points on the embankment.

•

The third most popular space was the asphalt pathways. They also had a number of topographic changes, similar to the rubber surfacing, that encouraged active play.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, swinging, splashing, spinning, and hanging.

•

Swinging was the second most popular play activity. The basket swings in particular encouraged use by all ages, either solo or in groups, up to 6 people.

•

Between 70-90% of participants in the top five play activities were physically active.

•

The asphalt promoted the most physical activity of any surface, primarily cycling, scooting, running, and walking.

•

Children were most attracted to the rubber, asphalt, and linear bench in the toddler play area.

•

Teens were most attracted to the climbing embankment, as well as perching on the rubber mounds.

•

Adults were most attracted to the rubber mounds and climbing embankment.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the rubber and swings.

Swings are fun for all ages. A little topography supports a lot of play. Teens love to perch and climb. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

CLAPTON COMMON PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF HACKNEY SIZE: .09 HECTARES (.22 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2011

DESIGNER: ERECT ARCHITECTURE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND ENGINEERS COST: £102,000 IN 2011 ($177,000 IN 2017)

A playground of salvaged trees, lumber, and found objects that create fantastic forts and climbing experiences in a very small footprint. 42 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Clapton Common Playground opened in 2011, an intensely used .09 hectare (.22 acre) space that supports a vibrant Hasidic Jewish community with a large number of children and families.The Clapton Common User Group helped to raise the the £102k ($177k) funding for the play area from the National Lottery and the London Marathon Trust. The playground is divided into two areas, an enclosed area for younger children and a challenging play structure for older children. The enclosed play area features a number of custom treehouses built around salvaged logs. This design was intentional, to protect the open character of the Common and visually extend the row of existing mature London plane trees. The challenging structure for the older age group is created from tree trunks and wood columns that support an array of ropes, nets, bridges, and platforms. The use of timber (both sawn and salvaged) ensures the playground feels like a natural extension of the larger park. The design was developed to accommodate the wishes of the predominantly Hasidic Jewish community, specifically providing a generous amount of seating for caregivers and space for strollers. A fence was needed to ensure the safety of smaller children, but the custom wood post design fits nicely with the other wooden play elements. The fence also provides seating, as well as play opportunities, such as perching and balancing. The play structures are made from locally sourced oak and Black Poplar, with the largest tree used on the older children’s structure rescued from the Victoria Park renovation. Other play elements include slides, swings, spinner, wobble bridge, and salvaged wheel. Benches, tree stumps, and timber log seating are situated along the edges of the play areas, and in the adjacent grass, so there are plenty of opportunities for parents and caregivers to gather, socialize, and be comfortable while supervising younger children.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

10 12

6 4

3 5

8 6

0’

44 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

1 RUBBER MATTING

ASPHALT

ARTIFICIAL TURF

GRASS

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

MANIPULATING

2 3

FENCE

BALANCING

8 SPINNING

SLIDING

SWINGING

4 BENCH

10 11 12

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

46 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 50 50

4030 40 40

20 25

80 80 80 80

70 70 70 70

60 60 60 60

50 50 50 50

MCLI BIMB N IN GG

60 60

LI C M LI BMI B NIN GG

70 70

MIDDLE EASTERN

80 80

INSW GING IN IN GG

8060

OTHER

INSW GING ININ GG

MCLI BIMB NIN GG

INSW GING ININ GG

IDSLI INDIN GG

40 40

3030

IDSLID IN IN GG

50 50

4040

40 40

30 30

20 20

10 10

00 SL

60 60

5050

IDSLI INDIN GG

70 70

6060

80 80

7070

LABA NLAN CC ININ GG

8080

IDSLI INDIN GG

LI C MLI BMI B NIN GG

INSW GING ININ GG

LABA N LAN C C IN IN GG

EN C

LABA NLAN CC ININ GG

IPMA UNI LAPU TLIAT NIN GG

SP INSP NINN ININ GG BA LABA NLAN CC ININ GG

30 30

INSP NINN ININ GG

BE N

50 50

40 40

INSP NINN IN IN GG

IPMA UNI LAPU TLIAT NIN GG

60 60

50 50

IPMA U NI LAPU TILAT N IN GG

N C

70 70

60 60

0 B

80 80

70 70

INSP NINN ININ GG

00 H

80 80

40 40

IPMA UNI LAPU TLIAT NIN GG

10 10 C

FE N

FEATURES

M AN

20 N

0 BE

B EN C

10 E

0 C

1010

30 30 FE

2020

20 20

RAGR SSASS

SSSS

RAG

10 10

SSS

RGA

RTUFR

FI AR C TI IAFIC L TIA UL TU RFRF

AR TI

PHAS APLHA TLT

SEDENTARY AS

20 20

MODERATE

RAGR SASSS

VIGOROUS

ACTIVITY LEVELS F

WHITE

RUFR

BLACK

ITA LUT

ETHNICITY FI A CRT IAIFI LCTIA UL

AR TI

FEMALE

FIA CRT IAIFI LC

AR TI

MALE

FI AR C TI IAFIC L TIA UL TU RFRF

AR TI

GENDER

PHAS APHLA TLT

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

LATLT

BRBUB ERBER

TEEN (13-18)

PAH

ADULT (18-64)

PAHS

RU BRBU EBRBE R

SENIOR (65+)

RER

BEB

RU BRUB

AGE

AS PHAS APHLA TLT

RU BRBUB EBRER

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

40 40

30 30

20 20

10 10 00

30 30

20 20

10 10

30 30

20 20

10 10

We observed 267 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass and climbing were tied for the most popular space in the playground.

•

Swinging was the second most popular space. The basket swing was more popular than the toddler swing and would often have five to ten kids on it at a given time, standing, sitting, or laying in the basket.

•

The third most popular space was the bench. Mothers and caregivers were seen staying through several observation periods, watching over their children and socializing.

•

The playground was a destination for mothers and caregivers.They would come with large groups of children, often with a stroller, bike, or scooter.

•

The bench in the shade of the tree was far more popular than the bench in the sun.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, swinging, sliding, balancing, and spinning.

•

The Hasidic Jewish community had an influence on the play behaviors and use. Play tended to fall into more traditional gender roles, with girls gravitating towards the swing, while boys were the predominant climbers.

•

Adult caregivers were almost exclusively female, with the exception of a few male teachers.

•

All of the play activities promoted significant physical activity, with the exception of the swing. The swing was used for vigorous activity in small or large groups, but also promoted quiet moments, such as laying and socializing.

•

Children were most attracted to the climbing structures, grass, swings, and slides.

•

Teens were most attracted to the climbing structures.

•

Adults were most attracted to the grass, bench, and artificial turf.

•

There were no seniors observed in the playground.

Simple elements can spark imagination. Kids have a compulsion to climb. Small hills have big impacts. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

CLISSOLD PARK PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF HACKNEY SIZE: .57 HECTARES (1.42 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2011

DESIGNER: LDA DESIGN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: KOMPAN, RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: PART OF £8.9 MIL. PROJECT ($14,65 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground with a combination of manufactured play equipment, huge swaths of sand, salvaged trees, large net climbers, and a play mound with embankment slide and boulders as a focal point. 48 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

One of Hackney’s most beloved parks, Clissold Park was opened in 1889. The Park was held the Green Flag award, given annually to the best green spaces in the U.K., since 2006. Clissold Park and House were renovated in 2011 as part of an £8.9 million ($15.4 million) Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project. The Park has a wide variety of amenities, including an aviary and animal enclosures, children’s play area, Clissold House (which includes a cafe, restrooms and venue space), organic food growing area, paddling pool, pond, tennis courts and skate park. The children’s play area has a multitude of play opportunities. It is not divided into age specific areas, but children self select their play based on the offerings available. Younger children gravitate towards a small mound with boulders and embankment slide. Adjacent to the mound are a number of play elements, such as spinner, rockers, and seesaws. A generous bench adjacent to the mound provides plenty of space for caregivers. Next to the mound is a trampoline bouncer, tot swings, and small treehouse. The swings are a social spot for parents and caregivers, generating a lot of conversation and interaction. Central to the site is a large sand pit with boulders, logs, and playhouses. This space serves all ages, and many parents gather here. Parents also perch on the small boulder mound and tunnel next to the sand area, as it has great site lines to most of the play spaces, in particular the large net climber and huge grass mound with embankment slide. This mound is one of the most popular areas of the playground, used by adults for gathering and children, for sliding, running and rolling. Wild planted edges allow children to get lost and run in loops around the site, through the plantings, along the paths and back again. The last play area has swings, a zipline, and boulders, and is a popular hang out for teens after school.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

10 2

20 20 7

22 14

17 15 22

1 16

22 9

21 21

0’

50 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

CONCRETE

GRASS

BARK

SAND

3 5

ASPHALT

FEATURES

GRASS

POURED POURED IN IN PLACE RUBBER PLACE RUBBER

4 6

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

8 BIKE RACK

BOULDER

9 10

CRAWLING

PASSIVE

BALANCING

SEESAWING

JUMPING

WALKING

HANGING

SLIDING

ROCKING

SWINGING

CLIMBING

14 17 20

BENCH

12 15 18 21

SPINNING

16 19 22

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

52 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 00

140

RA W

LI AWL N IN PA SEDGE G N S SP SIV TAR Y BA INN SPIEN LA INBA NING N LGAN SE CI C ES NSE ING AW EGS A W JU ING ING M JU M P W IN PIN AL WG G A H KIN LKIN AN HG G G ANG I SL NG ING ID S RO IN LIDIN C RGO G SW KIN CK I IN SWG NG G IN C IN GIN LI G C M LIM G BI B N IN G G

150 150 150 150 160

100 100 100 100 100

50 50 50 50

00 00

180

250 250 250 250

200 200 200 200

150 150 150 150 160

100 100 100 100 100

50 50 50 50

00 00

200 200 200

180 180

160 160

100 100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

PA EDEG G N SP SSIV TAR Y BA INN SPINE LA IBNA NIN N LAG G SE CI NC IN ES N AW SEESG G A W JU INGING M JU M W PIN PIN AL W G G A H KIN LKIN AN H G G G ANG I SL NGING ID S RO IN LIDIN C ROG G SW KIN CK I IN SW GNG G IN C IN GIN LI C G G M LI BI MB N IN GG

A W

200 200

N S

RA W

BE NBEN CC HH

250 250

200 200

G D PA EG EN SP SSIV TAR Y BA INN SPEINN LA INBA ING N LGAN SE CI C ES NSE ING AW G ES A W JU ING ING M JUM P W IN PIN AL WG G A H KIN LKIN AN HG G G ANG I SL NG ING ID S RO IN LIDIN C RGO G SW KIN CK I IN SWG NG G IN C IN GIN LI G C M LIM G BI B N ING G

A W

NBEN C CH H

BO U BO LDU ELDRER

250 250

RA W

C ENCH H

UBO LDUL EDRER

E BIK RAE R CAC KK

300 300

ADULT (18-64)

PA EDGE N SP SSIV TAR Y BA INN SPIEN LA INBA NIN N LGA G SE CI NC ES NS ING AW EEGS A W JU ING ING M JU M P W IN PIN AL WG G A H KIN LKIN AN HG G G ANG I SL NG ING ID S RO IN LIDIN C RGO G SW KIN CK IN SWG ING G IN C IN GIN LI M CGLI G BI MB N IN G G

LI N G

A W

50 50

100 100

LDBOU ERLDER

BI K

RGAR SASSS RU BRUB BEB RE

PAHS PAH LATLT

BRA KRK

SA S NAN DD

SENIOR (65+)

150

120

150 150

RER

BEB

RU BRUB

KE B RIKAE R CACK K

LATLT

RGAR SASSS

KRK

SN AN DD

PAH

PAHS

BA BRA

TNI T NIN GG

FEATURES

C RA W 80

200 200

N BEN C CH H

120

250

200 200

180

250 250

U BO LDUL ERDER

RAIKE R C AC KK

50 50

100 100

RIAKE R CACK K

150 150

RER

BEB

RU BRUB

RGAR SASSS

LATLT

PAH

PAHS

SAS NAN DD

200 200

BRBU EBBRE

RAGR SASSS

SEDENTARY

MODERATE

AS PHAS APHLA TLT

VIGOROUS

SA NSAN DD

ACTIVITY LEVELS KRK

WHITE

BRA

BLACK

MIDDLE EASTERN

KRK

OTHER

BRA

ETHNICITY LA

FEMALE

ANP

MALE

GENDER

TNI T NIN GG

UNDER 5

O NCO CN RCER TEETE PL ANP LA TNI T NIN GG

CHILD (5-12)

ANP

NCO CN RCER TETEE

TEEN (13-18)

NCO CN RCER TEETE

AGE

NCO CN RECR TEETE PL ANP LA TIN NTIN GG

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

350 350

200 200

180

140

120

100 80

0 0

350 350

300 300

200 200

140

120

100

0 0

350 350

300 300

250 250

200

140

120

100

0 0

350 350

300 300

200 200

160

100 140

100

0 0

We observed 1598 users in the playground and discovered: •

The rubber surface (and particularly the mound with embankment slide) was the most popular area.

•

The benches were the second most popular area. The benches were generously sized and well located. The largest ones were placed adjacent to the areas that served the younger children, as well as the net climber, while the smaller ones were located at intervals along the path.

•

The third most popular area was climbing. The net climber and manfactured structures fell in this category.

•

Grass, asphalt, and sand closely followed in popularity, but were vastly different in size. Of the playground area, 25% is grass, 10% is asphalt, and 7% is sand.

•

The grass mound in the middle of the site was a big attractor. Parents and caregivers set up blankets at the top of the mound, teens would lay on the back side, while the front was used by everyone to scale up, next to the slide.

•

The playground attracted a fairly equal gender distribution, although there were more female caregivers, who utilized the benches predominantly.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, swinging, rocking, sliding, and hanging.

•

All of the play activities promoted physical activity, with some exceptions. Perching and sitting on the climber and in the swings was quite popular, as was sitting on the rockers, top of the slide, and the platform for the zipline.

•

Children were most attracted to climbing, and surfaces such as rubber, grass, asphalt, and sand.

•

Teens were most attracted to the rubber surface, grass, and swings.

•

Adults were most attracted to the bench, and surfaces such as rubber, asphalt, and sand.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the bench.

Big hills are people magnets. Kids crave wild edges. Parents love perches. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

JUBILEE GARDENS PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF LAMBETH SIZE: .1 HECTARES (.24 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2012

DESIGNER: WEST 8 EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: £350,000 IN 2012 ($576,000 IN 2017)

A playground in the heart of city, next to the London Eye, with huge log scramble climbers and swings for older kids, and climbable sheep and rocking chickens for the littlest visitors. 54 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Jubilee Gardens is a 1.2 hectare (2.97 acre) public park on the South Bank of the Thames River in the London Borough of Lambeth. It was created in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2012, a multimillion-pound redevelopment of the park was completed just before the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II and the 2012 Summer Olympics.The Gardens were reopened in October 2012 by Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by West 8, Jubilee Gardens was transformed from a flat patch of grass into a verdant landscape. The Gardens include new turf areas, flowerbeds, undulating granite edges that provide generous seating, paved granite paths, lighting, and a new play area. The Garden’s adjacency to the London Eye and other tourists attractions make it a popular destination for out of town guests as well as school groups.While all of the park is used for informal play (running, cycling, ball play, tag, etc), the focus of the study was the .1 hectare (.24 acre) play area. The play area includes a ‘timber tangle’, ‘jungle arena’,’spider web’, and a flock of wooden sheep and rocking chickens. It is surfaced with poured in place rubber and surrounded by a concentric ring of granite bench, and then a perimeter custom steel fence. The ground plane between the bench and fence is elevated to the grade of the bench, providing wonderful opportunities for children to run in circles around the play space.The bench gives a prime location for caregivers to gather and socialize, slightly away from the play elements, but still enabling them to keep a watchful eye. The subtle ground plane change of the granite ribbon significantly influenced play behaviors both in the formalized play area and in the Gardens. The bench became a conduit of activity and play affordance, with children running, jumping, playing tag, inventing games, etc.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

1 5

7 2 6 5

0’

56 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

GRASS

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

FENCE

BENCH

ROCKING

SWINGING

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SURFACES

M CL BI IM NBIN GG LI C M CL BI IM N BIN GG LI C

IN SW G IN INGI GNG

RO C

SW IN SW G IN INGIN GG SW

KIOCK N IN GG

BE NBEN CC HH

M CL BI IMB N IN GG LI C C

IN SW G ING IN IN GG SW SW IN SW G IN INGIN GG

RU BRBU EBBRE

RAGR SASSS

58 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

M CL BI IM NBIN GG

50 50

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

100 100

200 200 180 180 160 160

150 150

MODERATE

180 180 160 160

KIOCK N IN GG

200 200

VIGOROUS

SEDENTARY

KIOCK N IN GG

BRBU EBBRE

250 250

ACTIVITY LEVELS

RAGR SASSS

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0

50 50

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

100 100

200 200 180 180 160 160

WHITE

RER

BEB

BRUB

150 150

BLACK

180 180 160 160

NBEN CC HH

MIDDLE EASTERN

200 200

OTHER

250 250

NBEN CC HH

ETHNICITY

GG RAR SASSS

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

KIOCK N IN GG

50 50

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

100 100

FE F NEN C CE E

BRBU EBBRE R

150 150

200 200 180 180 160 160

FEMALE

180 180 160 160

200 200

NBEN CC HH

MALE

250 250

NFEN C CE E

GENDER

RAGR SASSS

50 50

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

FE F NEN C CE E

UNDER 5

100 100

140 140 120 120 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 00

FE F NEN C CE E

CHILD (5-12)

200 200 180 180 160 160

TRT EREEE

150 150

TEEN (13-18)

180 180 160 160

TRT EREEE

ADULT (18-64)

200 200

TRT EREEE

SENIOR (65+)

PLAY ELEMENTS

250 250

TRTR EEEE

AGE

FEATURES

CONCLUSIONS We observed 608 users in the playground and discovered: •

The poured in place rubber surfacing was the most used area in the playground, followed closely by the climbing structures, and the perimeter bench.

•

There were slightly more females than males in the playground and while they were fairly equally distributed, the benches attracted more females.

•

The most vigorous play element was the swings, with the climbing structures coming in second. The climbing structures contributed to a surprising amount of sedentary behaviors for both adults and children, which included socializing and perching, alone and in groups.

•

The sheep (grouped in climbing) served in many capacities, as bench, imagination/role play and jumping platform.

•

The bench was predominately sedentary. It actually contributed to bringing the overal physically activity level down by 25%, when compared to other playgrounds. The vigorous users utilized the bench for running, leaping, and as part of tag and other games, like hide and go seek.

•

The rubber surfacing contributed to a variety of activity levels and behaviors. Most adults were sedentary, standing and observing children, while most of the children were physically active, and playing games such as tag, hide and go seek, soccer and imagination/role play.

•

Children were the majority users and were most attracted to the climbing structures, rubber surfacing, and swings.

•

There was not a significant teen presence. but they were equally attracted to the climbing structures and the rubber surfacing.

•

Adults were almost equally attracted to the bench and the rubber surfacing.

•

Seniors were almost equally attracted to the bench and the rubber surfacing.

Swings are more fun with friends. A sheep can also be a rocket ship or base for tag. Sometimes benches are for running. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

KILBURN GRANGE PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF CAMDEN SIZE: .13 HECTARES (.32 ACRES) COMPLETED: 2011

DESIGNER: ERECT ARCHITECTURE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND ENGINEERS COST: PART OF £950,000 PROJECT ($1.65 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground built from salvaged materials, including a piano turned on its side in a wall for playing, old fishing nets, and wooden windows built into forts, as well as several big slides. 60 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Kilburn Grange Playground was envisioned by the London Borough of Camden as an adventure playground space in a corner of Kilburn Grange Park. The adventure playground concept was born in post war rubble, where children could run around, climb, build, and discover. Modern day adventure playgrounds are environments that enable children to make things, play freely and creatively. Children are encouraged to explore and take controlled risks. Adventure playgrounds change over time through the children’s input. The .13 hectare (.32 acre) playground was developed as a sequence of distinctive spaces with different sensory qualities across the site, and described by the architect as ‘controlled chaos’. It is comprised of structures such as treehouses, a lookout, a series of walkways and ladders connected to the ground with a wobbly bridge, several slides, perches in trees, swing, climbing wall, balance beam, sand area, boulders, logs, and a playful fence. The site also has a building that is used as a play center which is adjacent to a calmer play space, focused on a boulder area with water pump and runnels, as well as a flat space for soccer/football. Kilburn Grange Playground is on a site that is the remainder of a Victorian arboretum. The overarching theme is playing in and around trees, experiencing distinct materialities and seasons, and developing narratives around different parts of the structure and site. The project won a RIBA Award for excellence in design, as well as the international Children’s Making Space Award, given only every 5 years. The children on the jury chose the playground, not only because it was exciting, sustainable, and unusual, but also because “…it allows us (the children) to make the space our own.”

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

2 12

5 8

4 9

17 14

16 13

19 7

0’

62 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

1 DIRT

BARK

GRASS

3 5

FEATURES

2 STONE

SAND

4 6

ASPHALT

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER MATTING

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

8 ART

FENCE

LOG

BOULDER

9 10 11

12 PUMPING

STEPPING

WALKING

CLIMBING

14 16 18

13 SWINGING

SLIDING

BALANCING

17 19

PASSIVE

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

RU BB

64 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

PA SS I

N G

M BI

M B

C LI

C IN

SE D

C IN

W A

W AL

D IN

SL I

IN G

40 VE

N SI

PA S

G G

W AL BA

W A

PI N

40 VE

W A

N SI

PA S

G G

W AL BA

G N

0 G

LA T IN SW IN

IP U

G ING ST EP PI EPPI N NG G SL ID S IN LIDI G NG W AL W KI A LK N ING BA G LA B A L N C ANC IN IN G G C LI C M BI LIMB N IN G G SE D PA SS ENTA IV RY E ST

PI N

LA T

LD OUL ER DER

T R EE

BO U

LO BEN G CH

FE N

AR T

INDI GRT

AT T

PAHS PH ALA TLT

LA T

RGAR SASSS

IN G

BB ER

U LD ER

U LA T

PU M

00 EE

20 20

40 40

C E

20 20 RT

40 40

AR T

20 20

INDI GRT

PH P ALHA TLT AS

AT T

40 40

AR T

INDI GRT

PHAS APHLA TLT

AT T

SA N N D D

20 20

RAGR SSASS

SA S NAN DD

BAB RAKRK

40 40

AR T

INDI GRT

AT T

SEDENTARY

PHAS APHLA TLT

MODERATE

VIGOROUS

FEATURES

SW IN

ACTIVITY LEVELS

WHITE

RAGR SASSS

BLACK

MIDDLE EASTERN

RAGR SASSS

OTHER

ETHNICITY

NSAN DD

FEMALE

MALE

SA NSAN DD

GENDER

BA B RKARK

UNDER 5

BA B RAKRK

CHILD (5-12)

BA B RAKRK

TEEN (13-18)

ST ROU BB N ER

DSTO IRN TE

ADULT (18-64)

ST R OUB N BE ER

DSTO IR N TE

SENIOR (65+)

ST ORUB NBE ER

DSTO IR N TE

AGE

ST ORUB NBE ER

DSTO IR N TE

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 35

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 35

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

CONCLUSIONS We observed 420 users in the playground and discovered: •

The treehouses were the most popular area, with 24% of all users. They were observed as distinct play spaces, divided among passive (playhouses and perches), climbing, balancing, walking, and sliding activities.

•

The rubber matting was the second most popular area. The entire space around and under the treehouses was covered with rubber matting. Children would often race from one piece of the structure to another across the matting, and adults would stand and watch children scale various elements.

•

The asphalt was the third most popular area. This incuded the area in front of the building, popular for boys playing soccer/football, and the path around the boulder/water play area.

•

The playground attracted more boys than girls, but that could be attributed to the after school program onsite, which had a predominance of boys.

•

The top five play activities were passive (treehouses), climbing, balancing, walking, and sliding.

•

The play activities had a mix of activity levels. The balance beam was predominantly sedentary, but the was often used as a bench/perch by adults and children.

•

The grass was predominantly sedentary, as parents would set up around the perimeter of the site, with blankets and food, while their children played. They would often socialize among themselves or use their phones.

•

Children were most attracted to the treehouses, rubber matting, and asphalt.

•

Teens were most attracted to the grass.

•

Adults were most attracted to the rubber matting, log, boulders, and asphalt.

•

There were no seniors observed in the playground.

It’s ok to go up the slide. Parents like to see and be seen. One person’s trash is another person’s playground. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

KING SQUARE GARDENS

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON SIZE: .24 HECTARES (.63 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2013

DESIGNER: BREEZE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: £435,000 IN 2013 ($691,000 IN 2017)

A playground with a massive sand area that fuels messy play along with water spouts and runnels that empty into a rain garden, adjacent to a spray area and artistic steel playhouses. 66 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

King Square Gardens is located in one of the most densely populated areas of central London, with limited parks and open spaces. In 2004, in partnership with Islington Council, EC1 New Deal for Communities developed a ‘Public Space Strategy’ for the parks, streets, and estates within its area, identifying King Square Gardens as a key improvement. Islington Council then commissioned a King Square Area Framework and Action Plan in 2008, which led to the construction of a new park building, completed in 2011, and the new .24 hectare (.63 acre) playground, completed in 2013. The key objectives of the renovated play space were to increase the play value of the park, create more opportunities for playing with natural elements, create a more inclusive play environment, enhance the park’s status as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, and improve playground user’s sense of safety. The playground has several different areas, linked through continuous water play elements. At the entrance of the site is a bank of swings for younger and older children, as well as a basket swing. A large sand area is just past the entrance, in the center of the site, with a climbing structure, grass berm, and embankment slide. Adjacent to the sand area is a pair of water pumps that flow into a series of sloped paths and runnels with dams that spill into a rain garden. Past the rain garden is a water spray area, with jets and interactive fountain features. Around the edges are a seating area with boulders and benches, a spinner, two steel sculptural play structures, and a timber climber. A large tree is occasionally used for climbing. The renovation was fairly new to the neighborhood and still had a bit of a vacant quality to it. It was enlivened by frequent stops from the ice cream truck, which would draw residents out of the adjacent housing estates.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

14 9

7 6

11 10

9 17

9 5

0’

68 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

1 PLANTING

FEATURES

2 SAND

CONCRETE

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER GRASS

3 4 5

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 ART

TREE

BOULDER

BENCH

7 8 9

10 HANGING

WALKING

PUMPING

SPINNING

12 14 16

11 MANIPULATING

CLIMBING

SLIDING

15 17

SWINGING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

70 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS H

ANH GAN INGIN GG IPMA UN LAIPU TILA NTIN GG W ALW KAI LK N IN GG C LI MC BLIIM NBI GNG PU MPU PI MP N IN GG SL IDSL INIDI GNG SP IN S NPIN INNI GNG SW INSW GIN INGI GNG AN

BEB NEN CCH H

LUDLD ERER

BU O

TRTR EEEE

ARAR TT

RAG SRSASS

BRBU EBRBE

N CO CN RECR TEETE

IPM

ANH GANG ININ GG UANI LAPU TLIAT NIN GG W ALW KAILK NING G C LI MCL BIIM NBIN GG PU MPU PIMP NIN GG SL IDSL IINDIN GG SP INS NPIN INNIN GG SW INSW GING ININ GG AN

BN EN CC

DEE

LUDL

BU O

REE

TTR

AAR RTT

SSSS

RAG

RU BRBU EBBRE R

NCO CN RECR TEETE

BE BEN NC CH H

BO BOU ULLD DEE R

RE EE

TTR

AARR T

RSA SSS

RAG

RU BRBU EBBRE

O NCO CN RECR TEETE

NSAN DD

30 30 30 30

25 25 25 25

ADULT (18-64) 20 20 20 20 20 20

TEEN (13-18) 15 15 15 15 15 15

10 10

10 10 10 10

55 55 55

00 00 00

30 30

30 30 30 30

MALE 25 25 25 25 25 25

FEMALE 20 20 20 20 20 20

15 15 15 15 15 15

10 10 10 10 10 10

55 55 55

00 00 00

30 30

30 30 30 30

OTHER 25 25

25 25 25 25

MIDDLE EASTERN 20 20

20 20 20 20

BLACK 15 15

15 15 15 15

10 10

10 10 10 10

55 55 55

00 00 00

30 30 30 30 30 30

25 25 25 25 25 25

20 20 20 20 20 20

15 15 15 15 15 15

10 10 10 10 10 10

55 55 55

00 00 00

30 30

25 25

W AWL AKL IKNIN GG LI CML BIMI BNI NG G PU MPU PMIP NIN GG SL ISDL IIDN IN GG SP INS PN IN INNIN GG SW ISNW GING ININ GG

HA N GNG ININ GG MIP AU N LIPAU TLAIT NIN GG

FEATURES

H AN H AGN AN IGNIN GG IPA M UN LIPAU TLAI TNI NG G W AWL AKL IKNIN GG C LI CML BIMI BNI NG G PU MPU PMIP NIN GG SL ISDL IIDN ING G SP INS PN IN INNI N G SW G ISNW GIN IGNIN GG

BEN NCC HH

BOU ULLD DEE RR

REE EE

TT R

AARR TT

RSA SSS

RGA

SEDENTARY

RER

MODERATE

BEB

VIGOROUS

RU BRUB

ACTIVITY LEVELS

NCO CN RCER TETEE

WHITE

ETHNICITY

C O

GENDER

NSAN DD

UNDER 5

NPLA TIN NTIN GG

PL A

CHILD (5-12)

NSAN DD

TIN NTIN GG

ANP

SENIOR (65+)

ANP TLAI N NTIN GG

AGE

SA SN AN DD

TNI NTIN GG

ANP

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

CONCLUSIONS We observed 153 users in the playground and discovered: •

Swings and the benches were the most popular areas. The benches were well placed, as a divide between the swings and sand but central for adult supervision, and another at the edge of the grass berm for gathering in conjunction with the grass, which was the second most popular area.

•

The swings were popular for all age groups.

•

The rubber surface was the third most popular area, primarily for parents engaged in pushing or watching their children on the swings.

•

The playground attracted significantly more female than male adults, but fairly equal distributions of gender in children and teens.

•

The top five play activities were swinging, spinning, sliding, pumping, and climbing.

•

The play activities more mostly active, with the exception of a few children and adults that would perch on the climbing structure, and the children, teens, and adults seated in the swings.

•

The sand was almost equally split between sedentary and active, with many children running back and forth between the swings, the grass berm, and embankment slide.

•

Children were most attracted to the swings, grass, rubber and concrete.The slide was an attractor and many children would use it to scale the grass embankment, which is made obvious by the ruts on either side of the slide.

•

Teens were most attracted to the swings and the spinner. The spinner was in the furthest corner from the entrance and often secluded.

•

Adults were most attracted to the bench, grass, swings, and rubber surface.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the swings, rubber surface, and bench.

A little water goes a long way. Ice cream is a great people attractor. Swings are social gathering spaces. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

KNIGHTSBRIDGE BARRACKS PLAYGROUND (ALSO KNOWN AS SOUTH CARRIAGE DRIVE PLAYGROUND OR HYDE PARK PLAYGROUND)

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF WESTMINSTER SIZE: .19 HECTARES (.47 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2014

DESIGNER: THE ROYAL PARKS EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: JUPITER PLAY, BLAKEDOWN LANDSCAPES COST: £390,000 IN 2014 ($602,000 IN 2017)

A playground with a spin on nature play, with a climbing structure made from salvaged trees and chipped rubber surfacing that blends well with the more natural park surroundings. 72 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Knightsbridge Barracks Playground, also known as the South Carriage Drive or Hyde Park Playground, underwent an extensive £390,000 ($602,000) Improvement project in 2014 thanks to funding from the London Marathon Charitable Trust (LMCT) and AEG Live. The playground is located on the southern boundary of Hyde Park, between the Serpentine and South Carriage Drive, and adjacent to Knightsbridge Barracks, which gives the playground its nickname. The location of the .19 hectare (.47 acre) playground, next to busy streets of the Knightsbridge neighborhood and public transport, make it extremely popular with local and international visitors alike. Adjacent tree lined lawns and views across the Serpentine towards the Albert Memorial make it a relaxing and attractive area for children and families. Its popularity was obvious in the old playground equipment, which suffered from prolonged and heavy use. The much needed restoration included a custom treehouse with climbing nets and slide, a ‘Jungle’ area with new plantings that encourage children to explore, a stepped wall with playful art elements, and play equipment such as swings, slide, spinning disc, seesaw, rocking snails, and jumping chimes. Existing trees were retained for shade and habitat for wildlife. For younger children, there is a small space near the secondary entrance with scaled down equipment, such as a tunnel, swing, and stepped planter for climbing and balancing. Key elements support use by adults and caregivers as well. A multitude of benches and tables provide places to sit. An adjacent cafe has plenty of snacks and drinks. A small lawn area under the shade of trees gives room to relax comfortably. Also, the addition of a planted buffer that artfully hides the perimeter fence puts parents at ease that their children are safe and contained, while not feeling like a constrained space to the children at play.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

16 10

15 12

7 13

8 4

11 7

3 7

5 13 17

6 2

0’

74 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

1 PLANTING

FEATURES

2 GRASS

ARTIFICIAL TURF

CONCRETE

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

3 4

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 TREE

BENCH

7 8

9 CRAWLING

SEESAWING

BALANCING

5 TABLE

SWINGING

10 ROCKING

14 16

11 JUMPING

SLIDING

SPINNING

15 17

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

76 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 20

0 0 G

A W

SL ID SLID IN IN G LA BG N ALAN C C IN IN G G SP IN SPI N NN SW ING ING IN SW G ING IN IN G G C LI M CLIM BI BI N NG G

80 80 G

IN LI

IN SW

A W

G B

SL LA

G G

M PI

80 80

N IN LI

IN IN

SL LA

A W

G SE

N N

PI AW

C JU

K IN

M PI

80 80

KI M

K I

G NG PI JUMP N IN SE G G ES AW SEES IN AWIN G G SL I S BA DIN LIDIN LA B G G N ALA C NC IN IN G G SP IN SP N INN SW ING ING IN SW G IN IN GIN G G C LI M CL BI IMB N IN G G

A W L

G ING

RO C

RA W

RO C

20 20

A W

TA T BL ABL E E

40 40 40

RA W

BE N

A W

TA B

RA W

BE N

A W

TA B

EE TRE E

RU BRBU BEB RE

O NCO CN RCER TEETE

80 80

RA W

EE TRE

FEATURES

TA B

20 20

40 40

60 60

20 20

40 40

60 60 TR

00 E

20 20

EE TRE

RU BRBUB EBRER

NCO C NC RER TEETE

40 40

RU BRBU BEB RER

NCO CN RCER TEETE

60 60

SEDENTARY RGAR SASSS FIAR C TI IAFIC L TIA UL TU RFRF

AR TI

EE TREE

MODERATE 60 60

VIGOROUS

RU BRBUB ERBER

ACTIVITY LEVELS O

WHITE

BLACK

NCO C NC RE R TEETE

MIDDLE EASTERN

OTHER

ETHNICITY RAGR SASSS

FEMALE

MALE

FI AR C TI IAFIC L TIAL UTU RFRF

AR TI

GENDER

RGAR SASSS

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

FIAR C TI IAFIC L TIA UL TU RFRF

AR TI

NPLA TNI T NIN GG

PL A

TEEN (13-18)

RAGR SASSS

ANPL TAINT NIN GG

ADULT (18-64)

ANPL TANI T NIN GG

SENIOR (65+)

FI AR C TI IAFIC L TIAL UTU RFRF

AR TI

ANPL TAINT N IN GG

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

AGE

160 160

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 60

160 160

140 140

120 120

100 100

0 0

160 160

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 60

160 160

140 140

120 120

100 100

80 90

CONCLUSIONS We observed 682 users in the playground and discovered: •

The rubber surface was the most popular area, utilized primarily by adults observing play, walking, or standing.

•

Concrete and climbing were tied for the second most popular areas, followed closely by the swings.

•

Tables and benches were next in popularity after the swings.

•

Gender distribution was fairly equal across the playground.

•

The top five play activities were:climbing, swinging, spinning, balancing, and sliding.

•

Of the play activities, swinging had the most sedentary use, by children and adults. People would often use them as seats, occasionally moving back and forth.

•

The climbing structure also offered some sedentary opportunities, as children would climb up and perch, overlooking the playground and calling down to their peers and caregivers.

•

The site elements, such as benches and tables, were almost entirely sedentary.

•

Surfaces were almost equally split between sedentary and active, as most adults stood, while the children ran and played. The grass was the exception, encouraging a lot of sitting and laying by all ages.

•

Children were most attracted to climbing, swinging, spinning, and surfaces such as rubber and ccncrete.

•

The youngest children (under 5) were found predominantly in the swings.

•

Teens were most attracted to surfaces such as grass, artificial turf, and concrete.

•

Adults were most attracted to the rubber, concrete, tables, and benches.

•

Seniors were observed, but did not have a significant presence in any specific area.

Kids seek out risk and new experiences. Playgrounds are for adults too. Walls can be playful and fun. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

MARYLEBONE GREEN PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF WESTMINSTER SIZE: .41 HECTARES (1.02 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2013

DESIGNER: FARRER HUXLEY ASSOCIATES EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: KOMPAN, RICHTER SPIELGERATE, BOWLES & WYER COST: £125,000 IN 2013 ($198,000 IN 2017)

A playground with three distinctive areas, marked by a massive concrete slide and climbing wall next to a sand area, a nature play space with salvaged trees, and a few traditional play structures. 78 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Marylebone Green Playground lies in the southern section of Regent’s Park within the borough of Westminster, bordered by the Nash Terraces on the Outer Circle and the Avenue Gardens to the east. It is one of four playgrounds in the park. Farrer Huxley Associates designed the restoration in 2013 to replace the popular .41 hectare (102 acre) playground close to Marylebone Gate. Some elements of the existing playground were retained, while many new ones were introduced. The re-design was focused in three areas: a ‘retro zone’ that kept some of the traditional play elements such as swings, spinner, and seesaw; a natural play area which included a willow tunnel and large fallen tree for climbing, salvaged from the Park after a winter storm felled it in 2012; and a contemporary play area that included a spiral folly with slide and sand area with water spout and runnels, which was inspired by the ‘Frieze Art Show’ which takes place each year in the adjacent park. These three zones support a wide array of play behaviors and use.The traditional play equipment area is popular with all ages, and has perimeter benches for adults. The central post and platform structure is used heavily by younger children. The natural play area blurs the line between playground and park, and is often used for parties and large family groups. The large fallen tree is always covered with children, climbing, perching, and scrambling. The adjacent perimeter planted area is mature and has many well worn use paths through it, and allows for tree and bush climbing. The contemporary play area is by far the most popular, with the sand and water feature for younger children on one side, overlooked by a long perimeter bench, and a mounded artificial turf area on the other, with climbing blocks, perches, and openings that encourage both active and passive play. Inside the folly is a musical chimes.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

23 23 3

20 21

10 11

7 1

11 9

0’

80 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

CONCRETE

PLANTING

TREE

ARTIFICIAL TURF

BARK

SHADE

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

GRAVEL

TABLE

SAND

GRASS

BENCH

3 5 7

4 6 8

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

11 12 13

WALKING

SLIDING

PASSIVE

SPINNING

STEPPING

SWINGING

16 BALANCING

SEESAWING

MANIPULATING

21 23

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

82 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

KI WAL N KIN GG ID SL BA IN IDI LA B GNG N ALA C NC IN IN G PA SED G SS ENT IV AR SP IN S E Y N PIN IN N SE ES S GING AW EES AW ST INGING M AN EPP STE I IP MA NGPPIN U NI G LA PU T L SW INATIN IN SW G G G ING C IN IN LI M C GG BI LIM N BI GNG

00 00

180

GENDER 300 300

MALE 250 250

FEMALE 200 200 200 200 200 200

150 150 150 150 160 150

100 100 100 100 100 100

50 50 50 50

50 40

00 00

180

200 200 200 200 200 200

150 150 150 150 160 150

100 100 100 100 100 100

50 50 5050 50 40

00 00

VIGOROUS

180

250 250 250 250

200 200 200 200 200 200

150 150 150 150 150

100 100 100 100 100 100

50 50 50 50

5040

00 00 00 N

50 40

50 50

IN CIN GG PA SED SS ENT IV AR SP IN S E Y N PIN IN N SE ES S GING AW EES AW ST INGING M AN EPP STE P I IP MA NGPING U NI LA PU TI LAT SW N IN IN SW G G G IN C IN GIN LI M CL G G BI IM N BIN GG

50 50

IN IDIN GG

100 100

150 140

150 150

KI AL N KIN GG ID SL BA IN IDI LA BA GNG N LA C NC IN IN GG PA SED SS ENT IV AR SP IN S E Y N PIN IN N SE ES S GING AW EES AW ST INGING M AN EPP STE I IP MA NGPPIN U NI G LA PU T L SW IN ATIN IN SW G G G ING C IN IN LI M CGG BI LIM N BI GNG

150 150

W AL

200 200

KI AL N KIN GG ID SL BA INIDI LA BA GNG N LA C NC IN IN GG PA SED SS ENT IV AR SP IN S E Y N PIN IN N SE ES S GING AW EES AW ST INGING M AN EPP STE I IP MA NPGPIN U NI G LA PU T L SW INATIN IN SW G G G ING C IN IN LI M C GG BI LIM N BI GNG

200 200

W AL

120

200 200

W A

NLKIN GG

BE NBEN CC HH

TA BTALB ELE

ASHDA D EE

TER EEE

180

250 250

W AL

NBEN CC HH

LLEE

TA TB

DAD EE

SAH

TER EEE

SAS NAN DD G RGAR A SSS

ADULT (18-64) 250 250

NBE CNC HH

ALB LEE

TA TB

DE E

SAH

TER E EE

SAS AN N DD G RGAR ASS SS

BAB RAKRK RU BRUBB EBRER G RAG RVA EVLEL

FEATURES

W AL

NBE CNC HH

ALB LEE

TA TB

SEDENTARY

SAH DAD EE

MODERATE

ACTIVITY LEVELS TR

WHITE

TER EEE

BLACK 250 250

MIDDLE EASTERN

SGAR NAV DEL G RGA RA SSSS

OTHER

SAS NAN DD G RGAR A SSS

ETHNICITY BAB ARR KK RU RBU BBEB ERR G RGA RVA VEE LL

UNDER 5

RU RBU BBEB ERR G RA SVA ENLD

O NCO CN RCER TETEE PL ANPL AR TANI T TI NIN FIAR GG CTI IAFIC L ITA LUT RUFRF

CHILD (5-12)

RU BRUBB EBRER G RGA RVA EVLEL

OC NO CNC RER TETEE PL APNL AR AN TIT TI NIN FAI R GG CTI IAFIC LIAT LU TU RRFF

TEEN (13-18)

BAB RARKK

NCO CN RCER TETEE PL APN AR LA TNIT TI NIN FAI GG CRT IIAFI CL IAT LUT UR RF

SENIOR (65+)

BAB RAKRK

NCO CN RCER TETEE PL ANPL AR ATN TI INTIN FIAR GG CT IAIFIC L ITA LUT RURFF

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

AGE

300 300

160

250 250

140

120

300 300

250 250

140

120

300 300

160

140

120

CONCLUSIONS We observed 1721 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass was the most popular area. It was used heavily by familes and large groups for parties, picnics, and gatherings.

•

Benches were the second most popular area. There was a long linear bench adjacent to the sand play area and a few other benches scattered throughout the playground.

•

Climbing, sand, and gravel tied for the third most popular areas. Climbing included the traditional play structure, the play blocks, the concrete climbing wall, and the fallen tree. Of the four, the tree was the most popular.

•

If the sand and water play (manipulating) areas were viewed together, they would be the most popular area in the playground.

•

Very few people were observed in the planted areas, but there were well worn use paths in and around the trees and shrubs. It is possible that due to the dense nature of the plantings that children could have been hidden in this area and not observable.

•

The playground attracted a bit more females than males, primarily adults and caregivers.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, swinging, manipulating, stepping, and seesawing.

•

The play activities were almost entirely active, with some sedentary behaviors on the climbing tree and the swings.

•

The sand and gravel were incredibly active as well, with a lot of walking, running, jumping off the climbing wall, and interacting with the water play area.

•

Children were most attracted to climbing, sand, grass, swinging, and manipulating in the water play area.

•

Teens did not have a significant presence in the playground.

•

Adults were most attracted to the benches, grass, gravel paths, and tables.

•

Seniors were most attracted to sand, benches, and tables.

Solitary spaces are important. Play does not have to be manufactured. Sand is better with water. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

OLYMPIC PLAYGROUND (ALSO KNOWN AS SOUTH PLAZA PLAYGROUND)

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF NEWHAM SIZE: .15 HECTARES (.36 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2014

DESIGNER: FIELD OPERATIONS, LDA DESIGN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: PART OF £21 MIL. PROJECT ($32.4 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground with huge rubber surfaced mounds accentuated with large scale timber and net climbers, as well as a sand area with water spout and boulders for seating for caregivers. 84 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

One aspect of the proposed 2012 Olympic Games Legacy was the creation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was divided into a North and South Park. New York based James Corner Field Operations were the designers for the South Park Plaza, 22.2 hectares (55 acres) of active space with a total budget of £21 million ($32.4 million). The project included a playground known as Olympic or South Plaza Playground. Construction of the project was complete in 2014. The Park’s design included a wide tree lined promenade that opened onto a series of outdoor rooms, one of which was the playground. A number of large boulders mark the playground entrance off the promenade, and the rubber surfacing bleeds into the path as well, encouraging entry and engagement with the space.The .15 hectare (.36 acre) playground is popular with local school groups visiting Olympic Park, particularly as it is closer to public transit than the other two playgrounds. Along with the boulders, a series of angled concrete climbing walls are located near the entrance. These walls become part of a slide, which was incredibly popular, often supporting up to a dozen children or more engaged in a variety of play behaviors, from climbing the wall, to climbing the slide, to sliding, to make believe under the slide, or just getting out of the hot sun. A large sand area is central to the playground, with a water pump and boulder seating, and just beyond is a series of rubber mounds for climbing and sliding, interspersed with a number of large timbers, onto which are attached a rope bridge. On the other side of the playground are two types of disc swings, a grassy area for picnics and gathering, surrounded by a planted area. A number of benches are scattered around the perimeter of the playground for adults and caregivers. Near the river, the playspace drops down to become a large scale climbing wall for older children and adults. This area was not included in the study, as it did not appear to be connected to the play area.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN

12 12

6 8

4 7

10 5

11 7

9 7

7 11

0’

86 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

1 PLANTING

FEATURES

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 PUMPING

CONCRETE

GRASS

SAND

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER PLACE RUBBER

3 4

BOULDER

9 BALANCING

SLIDING

CLIMBING

5 BENCH

SWINGING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

88 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 50 50 50 50

00 00 0 SL

SW IN

G G

C IN

LI M

IN G

100 100

150 150

100 100

150 150

200 200

SEDENTARY

C LI

200 200

250 250

MODERATE

300 300

250 250

120

300 300 G

C IN

50 50

100 100

150 150

100 100

150 150

200 200

WHITE

200 200 G

250 250

BLACK

300 300

250 250

BI N

ID IN

PI N

B IN

LI M

SL ID

120

300 300

50 50

100 100

150 150

100 100

200 200

150 150

250 250

200 200

300 300

250 250

PU M

300 300

FEMALE

N PING G

120

MALE

FEATURES

BE NBEN CC HH

50 50

NBEN CCH H

50 50

100 100

NBEN C CH H

150 150

100 100

BO UBO LDUL EDRER

150 150

BNE NC CH H

EERR

UBO LUD

200 200

CHILD (5-12)

UBO LDUL EDRER

RU BRUBB EBRER

200 200

LDE ER R

RU RU BBB EBERR

SAS NAND D

GG RAR SASSS

OC NO CNC RER TETEE

250 250

TEEN (13-18)

BUO

RER

BEB

BRUB

SAS NAND D

GG RARA SSSS

300 300

250 250

LUD

BEE RR

RU RB U BB

SA N N D D

SSSS

RGA

OC NO CNC RER TETEE

120

300 300

D D

AN N

SAS

ASS SS

VIGOROUS

GG RRA

ACTIVITY LEVELS E

MIDDLE EASTERN

OTHER

ET TE

ETHNICITY C

GENDER

NCO CN RCER TEET

UNDER 5

PL AN PL AN TI T NING G

ADULT (18-64)

APNLA TNITI NNG G

SENIOR (65+)

OC NO CNC RRE

ANPL TANI T NIN GG

AGE

NNG G

AN TTI I

APLN

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

400 400

350 350

100 100

400 400

350 350

100 100

400 400

350 350

100 100

400 400

350 350

100 100

CONCLUSIONS We observed 1145 users in the playground and discovered: •

The rubber surface was by far the most popular area, but it also constituted almost 80% of the playground.

•

Sand, at only 5% of the playground area, was the third most popular space.

•

The benches were the second most popular area, used predominantly by adults. The bench locations were all on the perimeter, which became problematic as the playground became busier and site lines were obscured. Many adults moved to standing on the rubber during high use times.

•

The playground attracted significantly more female than male adults, again primarily on the benches, but fairly equal distributions of gender in children and teens.

•

The top five play activities were swinging, climbing, sliding, balancing, and pumping.

•

Other than on the balancing rope bridge, the large timbers were not used for play.

•

The play activities were almost entirely active, except for climbing. Many children would get to the top of the sloped climbing walls and boulders and perch there, encouraging other children and adults to join them.

•

The sand had a significant amount of physical activity, with children walking, running, digging, and leaping off of the adjacent boulders.

•

Children were most attracted to the rubber, sand, swinging, climbing, and sliding. The mounds were of particular interest, encouraging climbing, leaping, and sliding.

•

Teens were equally attracted to the rubber, balancing, and swinging. The basket swing was popular for teen groups.

•

Adults were most attracted to the bench, rubber surface, sand, and boulders.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the bench.

You are never too young or old to climb. A single slide can support a dozen kids (or more). Blur the line between playground and park. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

POOLS PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS SIZE: 1.42 HECTARES (3.5 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2012

DESIGNER: LDA DESIGN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: £700,000 IN 2012 ($1.15 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground with a massive concrete mound with three huge slides down its face, the back of which was covered in concrete steps that were incredibly popular with teens. 90 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Victoria Park is 86 hectares (213 acres) of open space that opened in 1845. It is located in the East End of London, bordered by Bethnal Green, Hackney, and Bow. The park is within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The Park was restored and improved through a £12 million ($19.76 million) project funded by Tower Hamlets Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BLF). The master plan by LDA Design included a new cafe and rangers building, upgraded landscaping and ponds, and restoration at Pools Playground and Victoria & Alexandra Playground. The upgrade at the 1.42 hectare (3.5 acre) Pools Playground included interactive fountain jets and new playable landforms in the water play area.The concrete climbing terraces on the rear of the concrete slide berm were restored and a new slide was added to the face of the berm. Loose gravel and sand were installed over the degraded rubber surfacing. Other play equipment and features included giant swings, a rotating disc, small spinners, ropes course, rope tower climber, wood tower and slide, scales swings, trampoline and other wooden bouncers, balancing logs, and musical steppers. Visits to and usage of the play areas have increased dramatically since the restoration. A key component in the success is that the metal boundary fencing was removed, creating larger playable areas and new boundary planting was introduced. This makes the playground feel expansive and like an extension of the larger park. People feel free to come and go, have picnics, spend time in one area or another, without being constrained by a fenced area. The loose parts nature and feel of the playground also contributes to its popularity. There is a large quantity of sand, with water and digging areas, as well as manipulatives, like sand tables and ferries. The sand also helps make the slide faster, which every kid (and kid at heart) takes advantage of.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN* 19

6 17

3 10

8 13

17 17

21 18 1

0’

*POOLS, PRINCESS DIANA, TUMBLING BAY AND V&A ARE AT 1:100 SCALE, ALL OTHERS ARE AT 1:50

92 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

50’

100’

200’

SURFACES

1 GRAVEL

FEATURES

2 CONCRETE

ASPHALT

SAND

POURED IN PLACE GRASS RUBBER

4 5

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 FENCE

7 SHADE

BOULDER

TABLE

8 9

POURED IN PLACE BENCH RUBBER

ROCKING

WALKING

PUMPING

PASSIVE

MANIPULATING

BALANCING

JUMPING

SPINNING

SLIDING

SWINGING

CLIMBING

STEPPING

14 17 20

15 18 21

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

94 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS H

N C EN

B C H

B LE

C H

B EN

160

100

120

180

140

100

120

160

180

120

100

160

180

100

120

RO R C O K W IN CKIN AL G W G A KI PU N LKIN M G PU G PI N MPIN M AN PA G SED G IP SSI MA ENTA U V NI RY BA LAT E PULA LA IN B TIN N G ALA G C N JU ING CING M JU SP PIN MPIN IN G S G P N IN INN SL G ING I SW DIN SLIDI IN G SW NG C GIN INGIN LI M G CL G ST BIN IMBIN EP G S G T PI N EPPI G NG

TA B LE

TA BL E BE N

U LD ER

B O

A D E

C E

FE N

LD ER

BO U

AD E

140

RO R C O K W IN CKIN AL G W G KI ALK PU N IN M G PU G PI N MPI M AN PA G SED NG IP SSI MA ENTA U V NI RY BA LAT E PULA LA IN B TIN N G ALA G C N JU ING CING M JU SP PIN MPIN IN G S G P N IN INN SL G ING I SW DIN SLIDI IN G SW NG C GIN INGIN LI M G CL G ST BIN IMBIN EP G S G PI TEP N PI G NG

TA B

FE N

180

RO R C O K W IN CKIN AL G W G KI ALK PU N IN M G PU G PI MP N I M AN PA G SED NG IP SSI MA ENTA U V NI RY BA LAT E PULA LA IN B TIN N G ALA G C N JU ING CING M JU SP PIN MPIN IN G S G P N IN INN SL G ING I SW DIN SLIDI IN G SW NG C GIN INGIN LI M G CL G ST BIN IMBIN EP G S G PI TEP N PI G NG

TA B

FEATURES

RO R C O K W IN CKIN AL G W G A KI PU N LKIN M G PU G PI N MPIN M AN PA G SED G IP SSI MA ENTA U V NI RY BA LAT E PULA LA IN B TIN N G ALA G C N JU ING CING M JU SP PIN MPIN IN G S G PI N IN NN SL G ING I S SW DIN LIDI N IN G SW G I G C IN NGIN LI M G CL G ST BIN IMBIN EP G S G PI TEP N PIN G G

TA B

U LD

100

U LD

200

100 100

140

200 200

100

A D

200

100 100

140

200 200 C

0 N

100

200

100 100

160

200 200

GG RARA SSSS

SAS NAND D

PAHS PH ALA TLT

00 C

00 N

GG RARA SSSS

ANN

SAS

SEDENTARY 100

MODERATE 200

100 100

C E

VIGOROUS 200 200

FE N

ACTIVITY LEVELS GG RAR SASSS

WHITE

RGARA SSSS

BLACK

MIDDLE EASTERN

SAS NAN DD

OTHER

SASA NND D

ETHNICITY H AALL TT

600 600

PAHSP

700 700

FEMALE

MALE

LATLT

900 900

PAH

GENDER

PAHS

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

O NCO CNC RER TETEE

TEEN (13-18)

AS PAHSP AHLAL TT

RA VBAER LK

ADULT (18-64)

OC NO CNC RER ETT E

RA BVA ER

SENIOR (65+)

NCO CN RCER TETEE

RA VBAER LK

AGE

OC NO CNC RER TETEE

RA VBAER LK

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

900 900

800 800

700 700

600 600

500 500

400 400

300 300

200

100

180

140

160

100

120

800 800

500 500

400 400

300 300

200

100

180

140

160

100

120

900 900

800 800

700 700

600 600

500 500

400 400

300 300

200

100 160

180

120

140

100

0 80

900 900

800 800

700 700

600 600

500 500

400 400

300 300

200

100 180

140

160

100

120

0 60

CONCLUSIONS We observed 2567 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass was by far the most popular area and was almost half of the playground surface. On high use days, the grass was almost not visible under the blankets, towels, and people covering it.

•

The sand was the second most popular area and was only 8% of the playground surface.

•

The concrete and asphalt were almost tied for third most popular area. This included the water play area, which was not on during the study. However, the space was still very active and being used for soccer/football, cycling, skateboarding, and scooting.

•

There was a fairly equal distribution of males and females across the playground.

•

The top five play activities were stepping, climbing, swinging, sliding, and spinning. As much of the stepping activity was part of the queuing for the slides, those should be considered as a combined use, which puts them on equal footing with the sand.

•

The play activities more mostly active, with the exception of the stepping behaviors, which included people resting on the way up the concrete mountain and sitting on the boulder steps on the backside.

•

Children were most attracted to the grass, sand, climbing, asphalt ,and concrete.

•

Teens were most attracted to the steps and the grass. Of all of the playgrounds in the study, this park had the highest number of teens, and they were primarily located in the concrete boulder steps where they would gather and socialize with friends.

•

Adults were most attracted to the grass, benches, asphalt, and concrete.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the grass and concrete.

Sand makes everything better (and slides slipperier). Think outside the fence. Let play happen everywhere. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

PRINCESS DIANA MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA SIZE: .8 HECTARE (1.98 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2000

DESIGNER: LAND USE CONSULTANTS EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE, TIMBERPLAY COST: £1.7 MIL. IN 2000 ($3.97 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground designed after the Peter Pan story, complete with pirate ship in a large sand area, stone alligators to scramble over, a look out with a treasure chest, and boulder fountain for splashing. 96 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is a memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales in Kensington Gardens, in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The playground is located next to her Kensington Palace home and was built after her death at a cost of £1.7 million ($3.97 million) on the site of the existing Peter Pan children’s playground. Over 1,000,000 visitors visit the .8 hectare (1.98 acre) playground each year. It was designed by Land Use Consultants and inspired by the Peter Pan story. The most prominent feature is a full-scale wooden pirate ship surrounded by sand. Other play features include slides, swings, teepees, and play sculptures, as well as a sensory garden designed for those with disabilities, including fragrant plants and sound features. The space is divided into a number of play ‘rooms’, each with a distinctive character and play opportunities. The primary space contains the pirate ship and other smaller boats and vessels, as well as numerous boulders and places for caregivers to sit. Adjacent to the entry is a younger children’s play area, with a smaller sand area, boats, and climbing structures, as well as an area for swings. Just past the central sand area is a concrete water play mountain, with imprints and sculptures of mermaids and crocodiles. The fountain was not on during the study, but provided plenty of climbing opportunities. The sensory garden is in the rear of the playground and adjacent is a wooden fort area, with slides and wooden wobble bouncers that were very popular for getting parents moving. Just past that, on the way back to the pirate ship, is another small room with basket swing and slide. Threaded throughout the playground are lush plantings that encourage exploration and adventure.Three grassy areas and two canopies encourage adults to gather, while various art elements, like carved wooden totems, enliven the space and foster discovery.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

SITE PLAN*

18 7

24 19 4 21

13 3

12 23 16

5 11 2 8 12 22

0’

*POOLS, PRINCESS DIANA, TUMBLING BAY AND V&A ARE AT 1:100 SCALE, ALL OTHERS ARE AT 1:50

98 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

50’

100’

200’

SURFACES

1 PLANTING

FEATURES

2 BARK

GRASS

SAND

POURED IN PLACE CONCRETE RUBBER

3 4 5

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 TREE

7 ART

PUMPING

CRAWLING

JUMPING

SPINNING

BUSH

SHADE

SEESAWING

SLIDING

BOULDER

TABLE

ROCKING

MANIPULATING

BALANCING

SWINGING

PASSIVE

CLIMBING

10 11 12

POURED IN PLACE BENCH RUBBER

20 23

21 24

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

100 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 0

H CH

100

400 400

300

200

100 100

300

200

100

0 0

400 400

300

200

100

PU M PU RA PINMPIN W CRA G G L W JU INGLING M S SE PI TEPP ES S NGING AWEES A I W SL NGING ID S SP INLIDIN IN SP G G N IN M RO INGNING AN C RO IP MAKINCKI U NI GNG L BA AT PULA LA B INGTIN N AL G SW CI ANC N IN SW GING G ING IN IN PA SED G G E C SSIVNTA LI C E RY M L BI IMB N IN GG C

BE N

TA T BL ABL E E

LD OUL ER DER

200

PU M PUM RA PC INPING W RAWG L L JU SINGING M T SE PI EPPI ES SE NGNG AWESA W I ING SL N G ID SL SP INIDIN IN SPI G G N NN M RO INGING AN C RO IP MANKINCKIN U IP G G L BA AT ULAT LA BA INGING N LA SW CI NCIN N IN SWI G G G NG I I S N N PA EDE G G N C SSIVTAR LI C E Y M LIM BI B N ING G C

TA B BE

BO U

300

PU M PU M PI RA PIN N WCRA GG LIWL JU NIGNG MS SE PTIEPP ES SE NIGNG AWES A I WIN SL NG G IDSL SP INIDIN IN SP GG NINN M RO INIGNG AN C RO C IP MA KIN IN U NI KG G L BA ATPULA LA BA INTG IN N LA G SW CINC NI INSW GNG G ING ININ PASEDE GG C SSNIVTA LI C ERY M LI BIMB NIN GG C

C ENCH H

LE BLE

TA B BE

SH BUS

AD SHA E DE

400 400

PU M PUM RA CPINPIN W RAW GG L L JU SINGING MT SE PI EPPI ES SE NGNG AWESA W I I SL SNGNG ID L SP INIDIN IN SP GG N INN M RO INGING AN C RO IP MANKINCKIN U IP GG L BA ATULAT LA BA INGING N LA SW CI NCI NN IN SW GG G ING IN IN PASEDE GG N C SSIVTAR LI C EY M LIM BI B N ING G

H CH

LE ABLE

TA B

LD OUL ERDER

SH BUS

AR A T RT BU

FEATURES

100

100 100

200

200 200

300

250

300 300 BO

100

100 100

200

U LD

200 200

300

AD SHA E DE

300 300

AD SHA E DE

WHITE

150

400 400

SHBUS

250

BLACK

200

200 200

AR A T RT

300

250

300 300

AR A T RT

100 EE REE

OC NO CNC RER TETEE

100 100

EE TREE

200

AR T ART

00 TR

100 100

EE REE

NCO C NC RER TEETE

SA S NAN DD

OC NON CC RERE TTEE

SA S NAN DD

RGAR SASSS

200 200

BU SH BU

SEDENTARY 300

EE TREE

MODERATE G

250

300 300

VIGOROUS

OC NON CC RERE TTEE

ACTIVITY LEVELS

MIDDLE EASTERN

SASA NND D

OTHER

SASA NND D

ETHNICITY RGAR SASSS

FEMALE

MALE

GG RAR SASSS

GENDER

GG RAR ASS SS

UNDER 5

BAB RAKRK

CHILD (5-12)

BAB RAKRK

TEEN (13-18)

BABA RRKK

NPLA TNI T NIN GG

PL A

ADULT (18-64)

RKK

TINT NIN GG

ANP

SENIOR (65+)

TI T NING G

ANPL

AGE

BAB

TIT NING G

APNL

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

800 800

700 700

600 600

500 500 500 500

400 400

200 200

300 300

150

100 100

800 800

700 700

600 600 600 600

500 500 500 500

400 400

150

200 200

300 300

100 100

800 800

700 700

600 600 600 600

500 500 500 500

400 400

200 200

300 300

100 100

800 800

700 700

600 600 600 600

500 500 500 500

400 400

150

200 200 300 300

100 100

CONCLUSIONS We observed 3814 users in the playground and discovered: •

Concrete was the most popular area. This included the mounded water play area, the entry with the picnic tables, and the rear plaza at the sensory garden.

•

Sand was the second most popular area. This included the central area with the pirate ship, as well as the smaller space for younger children.

•

Climbing was the third most popular area. This included the pirate ship, the wooden play mound, and certain elements of the wood fort, such as ladders.

•

Gender was fairly equal throughout the playground.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, passive (which included the stationary play boats, playhouses, wooden truck, and teepees), swinging, balancing, and manipulating.

•

The play activities included a lot of sedentary behaviors, such as sitting in swings and perching on the pirate ship.

•

The grass was primarily sedentary and contained mostly adults and children who were seated for snacks/food.

•

The sand was an incredibly active space, with children climbing onto and leaping off of the pirate ship, rocking the smaller boats, dumping sand tables, and scaling boulders.

•

The most active play occurred on the pirate ship, the rocking boats, the wooden truck, and the swings.

•

Children were most attracted to climbing, sand, and concrete. The pirate ship and its adjacent sand area were by far the most popular element for children.

•

Teens were most attracted to climbing and concrete, primarily the mounded water play area.

•

Adults were most attracted to the concrete, grass, sand, bench, and bark.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the benches, tables, and passive play activities, like the playhouses.

A boat can launch a thousand adventures. Give parents a variety of places to sit. Create places to get lost. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

101

SPA FIELDS PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON SIZE: .17 HECTARES (.42 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2007

DESIGNER: PARK LIFE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: BESPOKE/CUSTOM COST: £175,000 IN 2007 ($342,000 IN 2017)

A playground that is a popular hangout for teens, who were happy to be on the same climbing structures as the younger kids, with a fountain and stone runnel to collect and direct water. 102 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

In 2006, the Islington Borough Council asked Park Life to prepare a Framework Plan for the regeneration of this important, but neglected park in the heart of Clerkenwell. Participatory design was the core of the process, and children and teens were involved from the beginning. The involvement of teens was particularly important as they had been the source of many problems on the site. The .17 hectare (.42 acre) playground was created to bring the whole community together, including hard to reach groups like older teens and young adults. The path through the existing park was relocated through the play area and the constant flow of commuters and neighbors helps make the playground feel safe. The design includes a complex arrangement of mounds, ditches, hollows (inspired by the drawing of a local schoolchild) and paths, edged by planting and walls at seat height, to help enclose the site, provide ample seating, and screen traffic noise. The equipment is custom and designed to be non-prescriptive, allowing flexibility of use and giving children’s imaginations free rein. It has the appearance of risk and danger, while still meeting safety parameters. This appearance, as well as the variety of perches and overlooks it affords, is attractive to kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. More standard, off the shelf equipment include a swing for younger and older children, a teeter totter spinner, dish spinner, balance ropes, water play area with cobble paving, and boulders throughout for climbing and sitting. There are plenty of places for adults and caregivers to sit. The playground is also used by adults without children, on their lunch break or passing through. The adjacent grass area supports a wide variety of uses, from pickup games of soccer/football, to picnics and date nights. It is refreshing to see a playground being used by such a wide array of users, encouraging play for all ages.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

103

SITE PLAN

11 21

9 8

15 6

16 1

19 3

21 14

0’

104 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

PLANTING

ASPHALT

TREE

METAL

STONE

WALL

3 5

CONCRETE

4 6

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER GRASS

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

BOULDER

BENCH

9 10 11

CRAWLING

MANIPULATING

SPINNING

SLIDING

PUMPING

STEPPING

BALANCING

SWINGING

SEESAWING

19 21

CLIMBING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

105

106 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 35

30 30

00 R

C RA C AN W RAW LI M IP LIN N A U NG G LA IPU TI LAT N SP G ING IN SP N INN IN IN SL G G ID SLI IN DIN PU G G M PU PI MP ST NG ING E ST BA PPIN EPPI N LA BG G N ALA SE CIN NCIN ES G G AW SEES A SW IN WIN IN SGW G G ING IN IN C G G LI M CLI BI MB N IN G G

50 50 45 45

40 40 40 40

25 25

20 20 20 20

15 15

10 10 10 10

50 50 50 50

40 40 40 40

30 30

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

60 60 60

50 50 50 50

40 40 40 40

30 30 30

30 30

20 20 20 20

10 10 10 10

00 00 0

50 50 50 50

45 45

40 40 40 40

0 LI M AWL U NANG ING LA IPU TI LA SP NG TING IN SP N INN IN IN SL G G ID SLI IN DIN PU G G M PU PI MP ST NG ING E S BA PPIN TEPP IN LA BG G N ALA SE CIN NCIN ES G G AW SEES A SW IN WIN G IN G S G WIN IN GIN C G G LI C M LI BI MB N IN G G

RA W

50 50

C ENC HH

LD OUL ERDER

BE N

BO U

W AL BUS LH

LI M AWL U NANG ING LA IPU TI LA SP NG TING IN SP N IN IN NIN SL G G ID SLI IN DIN PU G G M PU PI M P ST NG ING E S BA PPIN TEPP IN LA BG G N ALA SE CIN NCIN ES G G AW SEES A SW IN WIN IN GSW G G IN IN GIN C G G LI M CLI BI MB N IN G G

RA W

C ENCH H

LDOUL ERDER

W AL BUS LH

EE REE

N BEN C C HH

LDOUL ERDER

W ALBU L SH

RSA SSS

RGA

FEATURES

C RA C AN W RAW L IP LIN M A G ING U N LA IPU TI LA T N SP G IN IN SP G N INN IN IN SL G G ID SLI I D PU NG ING M PU PI MP ST NG ING E S BA PPIN TEPP IN LA BG G N ALA SE CIN NCIN ES G G AW SEES A SW IN WIN G IN G S G WIN IN GIN C G G LI C M LI BI MB N IN G G

N BEN C C HH

10 10

U BO LD UL ERDER

20 20

W AL BU L SH

30 30 EEREE

10 10

EETREE

20 20

GS RAS S

ETM AETLA

ST OSTO NN EE C O NC CON RCE RTE ETE RU BRBU BEB RER

EETREE

GS RAS S

ST OST NON EE C O NC CO RNEC TREET E RU BRBU EBBR ER

ETM AETLA

PHAS APHLA TLT

30 30

SEDENTARY

SSS

MODERATE

RSA

VIGOROUS

RGA

ACTIVITY LEVELS

WHITE

ST OST NON EE C O NC CO RNCE RTE ETE RU BRBU BEBR ER

BLACK

ST OSTO NN EE C O NC CON RCE RTE ETE RU BRBU BEB RER

MIDDLE EASTERN

OTHER

ETM AETL

ETHNICITY

FEMALE

MALE

ETM AETLA

GENDER AS

UNDER 5

PHAS APHLA TLT

CHILD (5-12)

TEEN (13-18)

SA PH LATL T

NPLA TINT NIN GG

PL A

ADULT (18-64)

PHA

TIN NTIN GG

ANP

SENIOR (65+)

INNTI GNG

LTA

ANP

AGE

ANPL TAINT NIN GG AS PHAS APHLA TLT

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

10 5

90 90

80 80

70 70

90 90

80 80

70 70

60 60

30 40

20 30

10 25

0 5

CONCLUSIONS We observed 354 users in the playground and discovered: •

Grass was the most popular area, used by all ages for ball games, picnics, and gatherings.

•

The rubber surface and mounds was the second most popular area.

•

The concrete and benches almost tied for the third most popular area. The concrete included the paths through the site, utilized by a variety of local neighbors, not just playground users. The benches included seatwalls around the perimeter planters intended for seating.

•

The playground attracted a fairly equal gender distribution.

•

The top five play activities were climbing, swinging, seesawing, balancing, and stepping.

•

The climbing structure supported an array of activity types. Most children were active on the structures, while most teens used it for sitting and socializing. The ‘lifeguard stations’ were also popular climbing elements, for children who needed a quiet moment away from the small, but intensely programmed site.

•

The concrete was predominately active, as it contained mostly commuters passing through. Children also used it for walking and running loops through the site.

•

The rubber surface and mounds supported a wide variety of activities. All ages took advantage of the space for both active and passive play, climbing up and sliding down, while also perching and socializing with friends.

•

Children were most attracted to the rubber, climbing, grass, and concrete.

•

Teens were most attracted to the grass, climbing, swinging, and seesawing.

•

Adults were most attracted to the grass, bench, concrete, and rubber.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the bench.

Hills are comforting and great for naps. Active and passive areas work together. Toddlers and teens can use the same spaces. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

107

TUMBLING BAY PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF NEWHAM SIZE: .85 HECTARES (2.1 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2013

DESIGNER:LAND USE CONSULTANT, ERECT ARCH EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE, ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND ENGINEERS COST: £1 MIL. IN 2013 ($1.59 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground famous for its giant custom treehouses, huge net climbers, and woven willow nests, it was always full of kids and families, with adults sneaking in to play in the early morning hours. 108 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Tumbling Bay Playground was part of the transformation of the site of the 2012 Olympic Games into usable community space. Land Use Consultants (LUC) designed the master plan, in partnership with Erect Architecture. The landscape was designed as a continuation of the Olympic Park development, with large-scale buildings, massive landforms, and huge swathes of plantings. The vision for the .85 hectare (2.1 acre) playground was based around the story of plant lifecycles, from early woodlands, culminating in forests. The play elements relate to these ecological themes. The first play space is a lawn surrounded by woodland plantings, with seed pod shaped dens made of woven branches. The next space reflects the timeline of the River Lea, and explores water, through pumps, runnels, wier,s and dams, salvaged boulders, and slab remnants from the Olympic development. It has a sand play area, interactive play feature that relates to the docks, a slide, and bridge for running and climbing. The final play space evokes a pine forest. Giant treehouses made from salvaged logs and massive net climbers elevate the play experience, and brings risky play to all ages. The nets span a valley, utilized for stormwater management and drainage, that contains small swings for younger children, while the older ones climb above. The towers are connected via a net tunnel, from which a large swing hangs, pulling the tunnel users above for a dynamic play experience. This space also has a slide, talk tubes, and climbable art elements embedded in the landscape. Amenities for adults and caregivers are well placed throughout the site. Benches have clear site lines, and many features are large enough for adults to play along with their children. While there is no clearly defined age ranges within the spaces, children and adults self select their play based on ability level and bravery.Younger children gravitate towards the sand/water play areas and woodland, while older children, teens and adults tackle the more challenging treehouse and net structures.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

109

SITE PLAN* 9 17

19 4

14 11 16

6 17

11 3

14 13 14

11 2 19

18 16 15

11 5 8

1 18

12 12

*POOLS, PRINCESS DIANA, TUMBLING BAY AND V&A ARE AT 1:100 SCALE, ALL OTHERS ARE AT 1:50

110 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

0’

50’

100’

200’

SURFACES

1 WATER

FEATURES

GRAVEL

ART

PLANTING

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

BOULDER

SAND

BARK

3 5 7

CONCRETE

4 6

GRASS

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

10 11

BENCH

SEDENTARY

JUMPING

BALANCING

MANIPULATING

STEPPING

SWINGING

PUMPING

CLIMBING

18 20

SLIDING

19 21

WALKING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

111

112 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 200 200

50 50

150 150 160

100 100 100 100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

120

100 80 100

60 60

40 40

20 20

00 TA DEN T JU RY ARY M RO PI CK BA N IN G B M LAN G A AN C LAN INM CI IP AG NG U N LA IP T UL ST ING ATIN G EP P ST SW INGEPPIN G IN G SLI I D PU NG ING M SW PI ING N IN SL G G ID PU IN MPI C G NG LI M CL B IM W ING BING AL W KI AL N KIN G G

100

50 50 SE

150 150 160

120 120

100 100 100 100

100

80 80

50 50 60 60

40 40

20 20

00 00 0

TA DEN T JU RY ARY M PI ROC BA K N I M LAN GBA NG AN C LAN IN M CI IP A NG U G N LA I T PUL ST ING ATIN G EP PI STE SW NG PPIN G IN S G WIN I G PU NG ING M PI PUM N PIN SL G G ID SL IN IDI C G NG LI M C B LIM W ING BING AL KI WAL N KIN G G

C ENC HH

60 60

40 40

20 20

TA DEN RY TAR Y M PI ROC BA K N I M LAN GBA NG AN C LAN IN M CI IP N U LA GANIP G T UL ST ING ATIN G EP P ST SW ING EPPIN G IN S G WIN I G PU NG ING M PI PUM N PIN SL G G ID SL IN IDI C G NG LI M C B LIM W ING BIN G AL KI WAL N KIN G G

SE D EN

CENC HH

LDOUL ERDER

BE N

BO U

TA DEN T JU RY ARY M RO PI CK BA N I M LAN GBA NG AN C LAN INM CI IP AG NG U N LA IP T UL ST INGATIN G EP P ST SW INGEPPIN IN SW G G IN I G PU NG ING M PU PI M N PIN SL G G ID SL IN IDI C G NG LI M CL B IM W ING BING AL W KI AL N KIN GG

100 B

120

100

LDOUL ERDER

FEATURES

SE D

150

NBEN CC HH

200

180 200

150

N BE CNC HH

200

U BOU LD L EDRER

200 200

AR A T RT

RSA S

RGA

BAB RAKRK O NCO CN RCER TETEE

AR A T RT

SSSS

RGA

50 50

ARA TRT

RAS SSS

BAB RAKRK NCO CN RCER TEETE

100 100

SEDENTARY 100 100

U BO LDUL EDRER

MODERATE 160

VIGOROUS 150 150

ARA TRT

ACTIVITY LEVELS RGA

WHITE

BLACK

RAS SSS

MIDDLE EASTERN

RGA

OTHER

ETHNICITY O

FEMALE

MALE

BAB RARKK NCO CN RCER TETEE

GENDER

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

BAB ARR KK N C OC NR CE RET TEE

200 200

TEEN (13-18)

250 250

SA S NAN DD

WW ATAT ERER G RAGR VAEVE LL PL ANP LA TNI T NIN GG RU BRUBBB ERER

300 300

ADULT (18-64)

SAS NAN DD

WW ATAT ERER G RAGR A VEVE LL PL ANPL TANI T NIN GG RU R BUBBB ERER

SENIOR (65+)

SAS NAN DD

WW ATAT EERR G RGAR VAEV ELL PL AN PL ATN IN TI NG G RU RU BBBB EERR

AGE

SAS ANN DD

WW ATAT EERR G RGAR VAVE ELL PL APN LA TNIT NIN GG RU RU BBBB EER

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

350 350

200 200 180

140

100

120

100

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200 180

140

100

350 300

300 250

250

160

140

120

100

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200

180

140

120

100

0 0

CONCLUSIONS We observed 1442 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass was the most popular area. It served as a buffer between the play area and the rest of the park, providing space for families to relax after playing.

•

The concrete was the second most popular area. The concrete category encompassed the porch next to the building, the water play area, and the paths through the site.

•

Benches were the third most popular area, primarily for parents and caregivers. Benches came in a variety of types, from manufactured to custom wood linear benches, as well as gabbion walls with wood caps.

•

There were slightly more females than males, particularly in the grass and on the bench. This is a direct reflection of the gender of the caregivers present in the playground, which were predominately female.

•

The top five play activities were walking, climbing, sliding, pumping, and swinging.

•

The play activities more mostly active, with the exception of the walking category, which was focused on the bridge over the playground. Children used the bridge for a variety of behaviors, from laying, crawling, walking, jumping, running, and climbing.

•

The concrete supported the widest variety of play behaviors and physical activity levels for all ages. It had numerous affordances for play, from boulders to climb and sit on, to water pumps and runnels, to splash areas that could be mixed with sand.

•

Children were most attracted to the grass, concrete, climbing, and bark.

•

Teens were most attracted to balancing, walking, and grass.

•

Adults were most attracted to the grass, concrete, and various benches.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the benches and concrete.

The right plants set the stage for play. Water is the ultimate loose part. Adults need treehouses too. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

113

VICTORIA AND ALEXANDRA PLAYGROUND

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS SIZE: .85 HECTARES (2.1 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: 2012

DESIGNER: LDA DESIGN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE, EIBE COST: £700,000 IN 2012 ($1.15 MIL. IN 2017)

A playground very popular with young kids, particularly the water play area, which could be used even in the off season, with kids spending hours moving rocks back and forth between catch basins and streams. 114 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

Victoria Park is 86 hectares (213 acres) of open space that opened in 1845. It is located in the East End of London, bordered by Bethnal Green, Hackney, and Bow. The park is within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The Park was restored and improved through a £12 million ($19.76 million) project funded by Tower Hamlets Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BLF). The master plan by LDA Design included a new cafe and rangers building, upgraded landscaping and ponds, and restoration at Pools Playground and Victoria & Alexandra Playground. The renovation at the .85 hectare (2.1 acre) Victoria & Alexandra Playground includes a sand play area with numerous playhouses and climbing tower with a slide. Surrounding the sand area are boulders and benches for parents to sit, as well as a few larger boulders for climbing and scrambling. An adjacent water play area with a pump and water tables overflows into a small stream bed, under a bridge, and into the sand play area. The material around the water play area is pea gravel, which extends the play value through the winter, when the water is off. Timber steppers are located throughout the playground, providing a united feel, and opportunities for active play. Numerous balance areas provide paths from one section to another. A large swing area, with swings for younger and older children, as well as a giant viking swing are near the south edge of the playground. A whirlwind spinner and seesaw scales provide more play opportunities to the north, near a large grass area, perfect for soccer/football, or family picnics. Many mature trees were retained, and new ones planted as part of the renovation, providing tree climbing and plenty of shade throughout the playground. Initially built without a fence, one was installed around the perimeter at a later date due to safety concerns from parents and caregivers.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

115

SITE PLAN

1 5

13 5

19 9 4

10 11

5 6

14 18

6 15 17

17 12 15 8 8 19

0’

*POOLS, PRINCESS DIANA, TUMBLING BAY AND V&A ARE AT 1:100 SCALE, ALL OTHERS ARE AT 1:50

116 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

50’

100’

200’

SURFACES

FEATURES

1 ASPHALT

GRAVEL

SAND

GRASS

2 3 4

5 TREE

BOULDER

TABLE

BENCH

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

6 BUSH

7 8 9

PUMPING

MANIPULATING

STEPPING

SEESAWING

SLIDING

PASSIVE

SPINNING

CLIMBING

16 18

BALANCING

17 19

SWINGING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

117

118 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS 100

100

200 200

150 150 140

100 100 10080 10080

120

100

00 60

LA UL TI AT ST NG ING EP STE SE PIN PPIN ES G G AW SEES A IN WIN SL RGO G ID C IN KIN SG G PA EDE SS NTA IV RY SP IN SPEI BA NIN NNIN LA BAG G N LAN C C C ING ING LI M CLIM SW BIN BIN IN SWG G G IN IN GI G NG

IP U

M PUM PMI PI AN NG N G LA IPUL TI AT ST NG ING EP ST E SE PIN PPIN ES S G G AW EES A IN WIN G SL RG ID OC IN KIN G G S PA EDE SS NTA IV RY SP IN SPIE BA NIN NNIN LA BA G G N LAN C C C ING ING LI M CLIM SW BIN BIN IN SWG G G IN IN G G ING AN

LA PU TI LAT ST NG ING EP ST SE PIN EPPIN ES G G AW SEES A IN WIN SL RG G ID OC IN KIN G G PA SPI SS NNI IBV NG SP IN ALAE BA NIN NCI LA G NG N SEDE C NT C ING ARY LI M CL SW BIN IMBI IN SWG NG G IN IN G G ING

120

PMI

140

200 200

100

100 100

G I

100

120

140

200 200

PMI

BE N

100

BE N

TA BL TAB E LE

100

LD BOU ER LDE R

120

SH BUS

140

P UM M IN PI U ANIP GNG LA U TI LAT ST NGING EP ST SE PINEPPIN ES S G G AWEES A INWIN SL R G G ID OC IN KIN GG PA SEDE SS NTA IV RY SP IN SP E BA NININNI LA BA GNG N LAN C C C INGING LI C M LIM SW BIN BI IN SW GNG G IN IN G GING

TA B BE

ER ULDE

BO U

200 200

PU M

TA B

ER LDE

SH BUS

EE TREE

RAGR SASSS

NSAN DD

FEATURES

C ENC HH

LE BLE

TA B

50 50

U BO LD U ERLDE R

00 H

50 50

SH BUS

100 100 EE

150 150

00 TR

50 50

EE TREE

100 100

RGAR SASSS

SA N DND

150 150

SHBUSH

SEDENTARY SA

MODERATE 50 50

VIGOROUS 100 100

EE REE

ACTIVITY LEVELS RAG VREAV LEL

150 150

WHITE

RAGR SSASS

BLACK

MIDDLE EASTERN

RGAR SASSS

OTHER

ETHNICITY

NSAN DD

FEMALE

MALE

SA SA N DND

GENDER G

UNDER 5

RAG VRAEV LEL

CHILD (5-12)

PHAS APHLA TLT

TEEN (13-18)

RAG VREAV LEL

ADULT (18-64)

PAHS APHLA TLT

SENIOR (65+)

RAG VRAEV LEL

PHAS APLHA TLT

AGE

AS PAHS APHLA TLT

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200 180

160

140

120

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200 180

100 100

160

140

120

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200 180

160

140

100 100

120

350 350

300 300

250 250

180 200 200

160

140

120

100

00 40

CONCLUSIONS We observed 1249 users in the playground and discovered: •

The grass was the most popular area in the playground, and was the predominant surface, at 93%.

•

The swings were the second most popular.The viking swing was a particular favorite. It was recently decomissioned due to wear and tear, which is unfortunate because it, of all the swings, attracted the most people, and of all ages.

•

The viking swing also contributed to the most vigorous physical activity, as you had to stand and hold the ropes to use it most effectively. It also was a great team building exercise, for communication and working together was key to making it go higher.

•

Sand was the third most popular area, and constituted only 3% of the playground surface area. The sand was also where a majority of the play opportunities were, such as climbing and balancing.

•

The playground attracted slightly more males on the surfaces and more females on the site features.

•

The top five play activities were swinging, climbing, balancing, spinning, and passive (in the playhouses).

•

The play activities more mostly active, with the exception of a few children and adults that would perch on the climbing structure, swings, and at the top of the slide.

•

The sand and grass were almost equally split between sedentary and active, with many children running on the surfaces and adults sitting or standing, observing the play.

•

Children were most attracted to the grass, swings, climbing, and sand.

•

Teens were most attracted to the grass.

•

Adults were very attracted to the grass, with many picnics and blankets installed for several hours. They also were attracted to the swings, benches, and tables.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the benches.

Kids seek out sensory experiences. The most beloved play places are often the most worn. Loose parts can extend water play for all seasons. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

119

WELLINGTON BARRACKS PLAYGROUND (ALSO KNOWN AS ST. JAMES PARK PLAYGROUND)

LOCATION: BOROUGH OF WESTMINSTER SIZE: .1 HECTARES (.25 ACRES) DATE COMPLETED: UNKNOWN

DESIGNER: UNKNOWN EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER: RICHTER SPIELGERATE COST: UNKNOWN

A playground whose focal point is a sand and boulder area, an attraction for all ages as kids tried to maneuver their way up and across the boulders; scrambling, climbing, and jumping. 120 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

St James’s Park is 23 hectares (56.8 acres) in the City of Westminster in central London. The park is flanked by Buckingham Palace to the west, the Mall to the north, Horse Guards to the east, and Birdcage Walk to the south. Its central location mean that it is a magnet for tourists, and many diverse languages can be heard at any given time within the playground. The .1 hectare (.25 acre) playground is a well loved space that has not been renovated for some time. However, the simplicity of its design has stood the test of time. The playground is nestled into the lushness of St. James Park, right next to the pond. Large mature trees provide shade and only a short simple metal fence separates the playground from the adjacent park, providing plenty of sight lines both in and out of the space. The central play space is a sand area ringed with boulders, adjacent to the entrance and main path through St. James Park. It has a series of low slung brick steps that lead into the sand area, as well as a brick island connected to the paving with a massive rock slab bridge. The boulders are a variety of textures and sizes, and form several smaller zones within the sand, for all ages play, and climbing opportunities. The fence that seperates the sand area from the rest of the playground is a simple but crucial element that allows toddlers and seniors a support while climbing. The rest of the playground has traditional play structures, such as swings, slides, seesaws, and a few non-traditional riding snails. Each zone projects out from the path towards the pond, further immersing visitors into nature. There are plenty of adult support structures, such as benches, tables, shade, and an adjacent cafe, for caffeine and snacks. It is a relatively simple space, with a small footprint, but it demonstrates that play does not have to be complicated, and sometimes good materials and a natural setting are the perfect recipe for a successful and beloved playspace.

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

121

SITE PLAN

20 4 16

1 14

6 21

3 12

9 11 2

15 13

7 18 5

0’

122 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

25’

50’

100’

SURFACES

FEATURES

PLAY ELEMENTS (BY MOVEMENT)

PLANTING

CONCRETE

BUSH

TREE

ROCKING

BARK

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER

FENCE

TABLE

PASSIVE

ASPHALT

BENCH

BRICK

4 6

POURED IN PLACE RUBBER SAND

10 11

BOULDER

12 13

16 18

WALKING

STEPPING

15 SLIDING

CLIMBING

SEESAWING

17 19 21

SWINGING

LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

123

124 LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

G ING

SW IN G

IN G

G ING

A W

ES IN

LK IN

W A

G ING

SA W

SE E

W AL

SI NTAR VE Y

PA S

G ING

G N

SA W

W A

W AL

PA S LI

60 50 40 30 20 10 0

7070 6060 5050 4040 3030 2020 1010 00 RO

70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 00

IN INGIN GG

G SE

N EPPIN GG

EP IN

W A

G ING

IN AWI G NG

W AL

VE ARY

PA S LI

IN LIDIN GG

G NG

7070 6060 5050 4040 3030 2020 1010 00

KI OCK N IN G G

N BE C NC HH LDBOU ELRDE

TA BLTAB EL

N FE CNC EE

SHBUSH TR T EEREE

RO C K

G ING

SE D

BI CLIM N BI G NG

VE TARY

W AL W KI AL N KI N SE G G ES AW SEE IN SAW G ING ST EP S PI TEP N PI G NG SW IN SW G IN IN G G ING

PA S LI

ID SL IN IDI G NG

RO C

LDBOU ELRDE R

BE N BE C NC HH

TA BLTAB EL

BO U

NSAN DD PHAS APHLA TLT

FE N FEN CC EE

BR IBCRIC KK

70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 00

C ENC HH

LDBOU ERLDE R

LEABLE

TA B

C ENC E E

TR T EEREE

BU SH SH

RBAKR

RU BRBUB EBRER

FEATURES

LDBOU ERLDE R

N BE C NC HH

20 20 T

EE REE

20 20

40 40

SHBUSH

20 20

LATLT

PAH

SAS NAN DD PAHS

40 40

SA S NAN DD PHAS APHLA TLT

CIC KK

BI R

RU BRUBB EBRER

60 60

TA BLTAB E LE

40 40 BA

FE N FE C NC EE

SEDENTARY KRK

20 20

EETREE

60 60 BRA

40 40

80 80

MODERATE BA

60 60

BU SHBUSH

VIGOROUS

SA S NAN DD AS PHAS APHLA TLT

ACTIVITY LEVELS BR B ICRIC KK

WHITE

IBCRIC KK

60 60

80 80

BLACK

RU BRBUB ERBER

MIDDLE EASTERN

RU BRBUB EBRER

OTHER

ETHNICITY

RBAKR

FEMALE

100 100

KRK

MALE

BRA

120 120

GENDER

NCO CN RCER TETEE

UNDER 5

CHILD (5-12)

NCO CN RCER TEETE

NPLA TIN NTIN GG O NCO CN RECR TEETE

TEEN (13-18)

PL A

ADULT (18-64)

TNI T NIN GG

ANP

SENIOR (65+)

ANP TLAINT N IN GG C O NCO CN RECR TEETE

AGE

INTIN GG

LA TN

ANP

SURFACES PLAY ELEMENTS

120 120

100 100

80 80

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 60

80 80

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 60

120 120

100 100

120 120

100 100

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 60

CONCLUSIONS We observed 491 users in the playground and discovered: •

The asphalt was the most popular area, for walking, running, observing others, and socializing.

•

The boulders and sand were almost tied for the second most popular area. If viewed as one space, the combined sand/boulder area had an equal number of people as the asphalt area.

•

Swinging and the benches were almost tied for third most popular area. People seemed to self select and divide more equally among different areas in this playground than they had in others, where certain areas became overburdened while others remain empty.

•

The playground attracted significantly more female than male adults, but fairly equal distributions of gender in children and teens.

•

The top five play activities were swinging, stepping, seesawing, walking, and climbing.

•

The play activities were not consistently active. Many people sat in the swings and on the steps, which acted as a kind of ampitheater within the playground.

•

The sand was very active while all other surfaces were very sedentary. The sand had mostly children engaged in vigorous play, while the surfaces had mostly adults, standing or leaning against walls.

•

The swings provided the most opportunities for all ages to engage and play.

•

Children were most attracted to the sand, asphalt, swings, and climbing.

•

Teens were not a significant presence in this park, likely due to its lack of risky and adventurous play elements.

•

Adults were most attracted to the asphalt, boulders, benches, and brick paving.

•

Seniors were most attracted to the brick and asphalt.

Everyone loves boulders. Sand brings out the kid inside us all. Caffeine and a bench are keys to playground success. LONDON STUDY OF PLAYGROUNDS

125

London Study of Playgrounds

Articles inside

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY