DISTANCE MATTERS

Compared to the impact of playground features and design, playground location of the playground is the most important determinant of use.

Playgrounds located within a half-mile of residents increased use by five times and visitors were four times more likely to visit more than once a week. Additionally, people living within a half-mile of a playground had a six fold increase in walking or cycling than those living further away.5

Destination playgrounds were more frequently visited via car, but local playgrounds were visited mostly via active transport. Those that walked or biked visited more often, although their visits were shorter than those going by car, possibly due to proximity and the frequency of repeat visits

Choosing where to build and invest in playgrounds is crucial to public health. We found that for every additional 10,000 people in the half-mile radius of a playground, there were 60% more visitors and 47.7% more MVPA. Currently only 20% of homes in the US are located within a half-mile of a park. City planners, urban designers, and parks departments should consider the importance of playground locations, as well as active transport networks, safe sidewalks, and bike lanes when creating new or reconfiguring existing neighborhoods.

Siting playgrounds within one-quarter to one-half mile of every resident should be a goal for all major cities.

5 Playground Locations and Patterns of Use, Journal of Urban Health, 2023