Urban Improvement Through Child's Play

"The Wilsonville (Oregon) project is part of a burgeoning 'creative playground' movement-one that eschews the homogenous regulated space of contemporary recreational areas in favor of diverse open-ended 'playscapes.' Ranging from Modernist set pieces to bucolic panoramas, the new projects aim to move beyond gymnasium-style functions (crawling, swinging, climbing). Instead the goal is to stimulate kids' imaginations, encourage independent exploration, and-more ambitiously-incorporate the twenty-first-century playground into the fabric of community life."

"Much of the design momentum originates in Denmark, Holland, and Germany, where children are increasingly viewed as an indicator group for successful urban planning."

"Creating more inclusive spaces for children and families, so the logic goes, is one step toward making the entire city a safer and more welcoming place for kids."