The Potential of Safe, Secure and Accessible Playgrounds to Increase Children’s Physical Activity was published by Active Living Reseach (a RWJF program) in February 2011. The report summarizes research on the importance of playgrounds for children’s physical activity. Some highlights of this report are:
Playgrounds present an opportunity for children and adolescents to be physically active. By developing publicly accessible neighborhood playgrounds, designing them to maximize active uses and maintaining their spaces and equipment to ensure safety and reduce the risk of injury, playgrounds can be a benefit to children and communities. Well designed and maintained playgrounds can support more physical activity, better health and greater social involvement for children, families and the community. Low-income and mostly minority communities tend to have less access to playgrounds and parks, but renovating school playgrounds, maintaining parks and recreational spaces, and developing new resources for play are promising remedies.
