Resources on Play in urban Communities

Play and playgrounds have been the foundation of the parks and recreation movement. However, the decay of our urban play structures and the negative impact of play elements have created the necessity to take action. Discover the importance of play and the best practices for creating play environments as we re-introduce play to the urban community. With the emerging epidemic of obesity, chronic diseases, and lack of physical activity, it is time for us to respond to the crises that is facing our youth.

 National Report Developed with the Expertise of Urban Park and Recreation Leaders

 The Power of Urban Play: Unleashing the Role of Play Environments as Community Assets is a national report that was developed with the expertise of urban park and recreation leaders from across the country and sponsored by PlayCore.  The report identifies the unique characteristics of urban communities and defines best practices that address their unique needs and challeges.  Launched as a Hot Topic at the 2009 National Recreation and Park Association Congress and Exposition, this report is one component of an ongoing initiative by PlayCore to promote the value of urban play by providing urban leaders with valuable resources and benchmarks, affecting public policy, and informing professionals through training and collaboration.  To request a copy of The Power of Urban Play report, click here to fill out form.

City Park Facts Report

Through the annual survey and City Park Facts report, the Trust for Public Land Center for City Park Excellence maintains the nation’s most complete database of park facts for the largest 85 U.S. cities. With the help of CCPE data, readers can track national trends and understand how cities of various population densities compare in their provision of recreation resources. 

PlayCore is committed to building communities by providing people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with rich, research-based play experiences. For the second year, PlayCore has proudly sponsored the important City Park Facts initiative.  Click here to download a copy of the report. For additional detailed reports by topic, click here to visit the CCPE website. 

PlayCore Resource Series: Urban Play

Play provides children with valuable and enriching experiences of self discovery and opportunities for healthy development. Tragically, many children living in urban areas face barriers and disparities for play. The following resources describe the important role of play in urban communities, provide information on trends and unique characteristics of urban areas, and explore best practice strategies for developing and maintaining wholesome play environments as community assets.  Click here to download The Urban Play Resource Sheet.

Annotated Bibliography

Download the Annotated Bibliography to review the body of research and literature about play in urban communities.  This bibliography was developed as a companion to the report entitled The Power of Urban Play.  Click here to download a copy of the annotated bibliography.

Legislative Update

Prepared by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Legislative Update details funding opportunities that may be available for parks and playgrounds in urban communities and describes the bills before congress that have the potential to impact play in our largest cities.  NRPA is a major advocate at the national level for incorporating federal funding opporutnities for urban play into exisitng and new legislation. Click here to download a copy of the legislative update.