A traditional children's playground is an amenity no real estate investment should be without. You can easily find children's playgrounds in parks, shopping centers, children's hospitals, schools and even restaurants. They appear wherever children tend to gather. A modern playground, though, has to do more than meet children's play needs; it also has to look good. Above all, the play equipment should blend with its surroundings and the natural landscape. We can simply call this a play landscape, a new trend of our time.
What is the difference between a traditional playground and a play landscape?
For many people, a traditional children's playground is a man-made environment. It may occupy a patch of ground outside a school building, fitted with colorful play equipment. The playground may or may not be fenced, and it may be shaped like a house or animals that children know well, with slides, swings and ladders around it. These playgrounds are clearly zoned and designed to be attractive and eye-catching, a place that is fun, useful and full of joy.
A play landscape, of course, is different from a traditional playground. A play landscape connects strongly with the wide space around it, and it opens up room for free play equipment that breaks away from the usual structures. It is built entirely within nature and can be improved with different plants and terrain, creating a fresh, engaging overall design. In particular, the play equipment can move and interact with natural elements. This helps children learn about nature and the living environment, exercise their bodies, and develop creative thinking; it also helps them connect socially and stay open to new experiences. Playing among natural elements without any barriers, children naturally grow attached to nature and form good habits of protecting the living environment.
Many studies show that giving children access to outdoor play spaces improves their concentration, lowers the risk of depression and some attention-deficit symptoms, and brings many physical benefits. In fact, human instinct always drives children to immerse themselves in green spaces, because that helps them feel relaxed and refreshed. Is that not why we adults always feel drawn to public parks, to places that smell of grass and fields, back to the childhood of playing in the woods?
How to design a truly wonderful play landscape for children
At WINAM, we are often asked to design play spaces that meet two goals at once: a modern urban feel and a natural touch. Here is our best advice.
Plan the play landscape carefully. Think through every entrance, exit and boundary. Ask whether the current design can grow later with more play features.
Use plants to soften the style of an ordinary playground. Bushes, lawns or rows of willows can bring many interesting sensory experiences. They become a place for creative games, or a home for living creatures. Plants add variety in color, scent and scenery, and they also provide cool shade in the harsh summer sun and shelter for birds in winter. It is a lovely spot for family camping trips.
Make use of what nature already offers. If your equipment is for climbing, sliding and gripping, it is best placed on a hillside or mound, because that gives children a more real sense of adventure and role-playing.
Build several different settings and a journey between them. This works better than making a single large play area. The storyline plays an important part in developing children's imagination and attention, giving them varied and interesting experiences.
Think about using different materials. This matters for carrying out the design ideas suggested above. Combining natural and man-made elements makes them support each other better.
Choosing equipment well brings real value to a play landscape. Consider the number of pieces carefully and arrange them sensibly so each one is used to its fullest.
WINAM designs and installs children's playground equipment, sports and fitness equipment, and premium EPDM safety flooring. For advice on designing and installing play equipment, please call our hotline at (+84) 9 6161 0202.
