Conduct an internet search on the definition of play and you find to “engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” Sounds entertaining and fun, but play is much more important than that. In fact, it has shaped our lives and development as human beings and can make the difference between being a successful, contributing adult or a life behind bars.  

 

Play is part of a biological process that enables children to develop into normal, functioning adults and it’s essential that children engage in it, and engage often. It is involved in nerve growth and the development of the brain’s cortex and cerebellum. Learning how to discriminate between information, organize thoughts and plan, and the development of feelings and decision-making skills all evolve through individual and group play activities.

Biologically, “It has evolved over eons in many animal species to promote survival. It shapes the brain and makes animals smarter and more adaptable. In higher animals, it fosters empathy and makes possible complex social groups,” say authors Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan in their 2009 book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Children who don’t engage in play activity suffer developmental setbacks and may lack some basic functions for normal adult life. For example, Baylor University researchers observed children with 20-30 percent smaller brain sizes as a result of insufficient play. 

The impact of a lack of play can also present itself psychologically with abnormal behavior. Astoundingly, in a study of Texas prison inmates, conducted by Joe Frost, Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas, it was shown that “90 percent of the murderers showed either the absence of play as children or abnormal play such as bullying, sadism, cruelty to animals and extreme teasing. Seventy-five percent of the drunk drivers had play abnormalities.” These staggering statistics alone illustrate the importance and critical nature of play in developing adolescents.

 

According to Frost, “On no other educational or child development issue is the body of evidence clearer — play is essential to the healthy development of children and to their adaptation to their culture, society and world.” Play is considered so crucial, in fact, that the United Nations High Commission recognized play as a “Human Right” of every child. 

Yet, “a variety of factors have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centered play,” says Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd, a professor of pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, in some underserved communities across the nation, play opportunities aren’t readily available.

The park and recreation community can greatly affect children’s lives by meeting children’s play needs where they can, especially in underserved communities. Whether through a traditional park, nature center, pool or trail system — encouraging and enhancing play is paramount. However, meeting these needs does have some challenges.

Since their introduction in 1821 in America, playgrounds and their equipment have gone through an evolution of design changes. The increasing cost of materials and maintenance as well as the constant threat of litigation over safety issues has stifled creativity of design. In response, professionals across the industry are working hard to enhance design and encourage diverse play, while maintaining a safe environment.

“Creating inventive, boundary-pushing play equipment and believing in the transformative power of play are central to who we are as a company,” says Greg Harrison, chief marketing officer for Playworld. “We understand the importance of bringing kids together with open-ended play experiences, allowing them to experience meaningful play on their own terms and in their way. There is beauty in the freedom of interpretation, completely embodying the idea of free play.” 

Providing a variety of opportunities for individualized play as well as group play is important to creating an enriching recreational environment. “Unstructured play is key to a child’s development, and basketball provides a variety of ways to enjoy the game, from shooting hoops in your backyard to a game of horse to a three-on-three tournament,” says NBA Vice President, Youth Basketball Development, David Krichavsky. “The Jr. NBA helps develop youth by teaching the game’s fundamental skills as well as its core values, like teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.”

“Play that is beneficial to children is play that is active, creative and social, engaging the body in fine and gross motor development and the mind in negotiation, problem solving, imagination and flexibility,” says Frost. However, in many communities, children lack recreation opportunities close to home. In some cases, parks are in areas that are deemed unsafe and children must be under close adult supervision.

The NRPA Parks Build Community initiative has been working since 2009 to revitalize or establish parks in areas of high need. The Parks Build Community projects have provided play opportunities for youth as well as gathering places for families and communities across the nation. Each year, a park is chosen in the city hosting the NRPA Annual Conference, and members donate time and materials, working together to design and create a safe, enriching play facility for that community.

This year, NRPA is partnered with Great Rivers Greenway to create Trojan Park in Wellston, just north of St. Louis, Missouri. One of the poorest cities in the state, Wellston was greatly impacted by the recession and is working hard to promote community engagement and return to the vibrant, close-knit city that it once was. Trojan Park will be located on the St. Vincent Greenway, which will extend from Forest Park to the University of Missouri — St. Louis campus. The St. Vincent Greenway will provide walking and biking access to Wellston residents as well as access to public transportation.

For Elizabeth Simons of Great Rivers Greenway, it’s all about play in the community. “Play is powerful! It brings people together, makes them healthier and fosters understanding. This is why I am so excited that the residents of Wellston, Missouri, will soon have a vibrant new park where they can all play together! The soon-to-be-constructed Trojan Park will transform a vacant lot into a community gathering space where people of all ages can build relationships through games, picnics, festivals and imaginative play on the new playground.” 

The community of Wellston has been very involved in the creation of Trojan Park, from the initial discussions on needs, to the design and construction process. “Trojan park will provide a safe, engaging space for residents to be active and interact with one another. Most importantly, the community voice resonates throughout the park from the design to the color of the equipment, which further empowers the community to own this space. We heard loud and clear from the residents that they want safe spaces for the children and youth in their community to be able to congregate and be part of productive activities,” says Vontriece McDowell from Beyond Housing.

 

“The power of play for this park means much more than physical activity,” McDowell adds. “This space is an asset to the city of Wellston and is a true representation of what comes from an active, engaged community voice that is heard. This will be a vibrant hub for community connectivity and programs that will benefit generations and engage people beyond the city of Wellston.” A tour of Trojan Park will be offered during the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference in October.

Actually no — the beneficial health effects of play continue to adulthood. While our brains are fully developed as adults and we may not need as much play as a child, the benefits go beyond childhood. “Many studies have demonstrated that people who continue to play games, who continue to explore and learn throughout life, are not only much less prone to dementia and other neurological problems, but are also less likely to get heart disease and other afflictions that seem like they have nothing to do with the brain,” Brown and Vaughan point out.

“Life without play is a grinding, mechanical existence organized around doing the things necessary for survival. Play is the stick that stirs the drink. It is the basis of all art, games, books, sports, movies, fashion, fun and wonder — in short, the basis of what we think of as civilization. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively,” they add.

So, whether you are a parent or a park and recreation professional, remember, play is essential for a child’s development, and, furthermore — is not just for kids. Play is important for adults as well. As Brown and Vaughan explain, “It energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.”