Play

Open Streets

The Role of Play in Public Space Design

'Playable' public spaces can be a powerful tool for creating vibrant, communal, and equitable cities.

October 5, 2021 - StreetsBlog NYC

Little League

Field of Dreams Coming to L.A.'s Chinatown

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Dodgers Foundation will renovate an unplayable ballfield into a new Dodgers Dreamfield, which will serve almost 3,500 youth in the surrounding community.

October 23, 2020 - L.A. Downtown News

Coronavirus and Public Health

Designing Play Streets for Social Distancing

What happens to Play Streets when playing together is a danger?

September 3, 2020 - Next City

Baseball

Legalizing Street Play

A Baltimore city councilmember thinks the city has misplace priority on parking by making it illegal to play in the street.

February 12, 2020 - WYPR

Pittsburgh Public Space EVent

We Need More Words for Play

Could cities harness the power of play to build more healthy, resilient, and equitable communities, if only we had the words for it?

April 25, 2019 - Sarah Siplak

Utah Winter

Utah Legislation Would Allow Children to Play Outside Unsupervised

After passing both houses of state government, a "free range kids" law to allow children to walk to school and play outside unsupervised is headed to the governor's office in Utah.

March 3, 2018 - USA Today

Child's swing made out of a tire and rope hanging from a tree in

Wealthy Maryland Enclave Goes to War Over a Swing Set

Some code violation controversies must be reported by The Washington Post to be believed.

May 12, 2016 - The Washington Post

The Power of Play in the Public Square

Paris represents the best of grand architecture and city planning, from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Elysées. Yet, underneath these places, are small parks that bring together Paris' diverse populations through the power of play.

March 23, 2015 - Common Place

Seattle Turns Streets to Play Areas

Seattle Department of Transportation launches "Play Streets" program to encourage some fun in the streets.

June 8, 2014 - Streets Blog

Friday Funny: Japan Cracks Down on Fun

Apparently the kids in Japan are just too darn loud. In a country where the old increasingly outnumber the young, crotchety old folks are cracking down on the sounds of childhood.

June 7, 2013 - The Japan Times

Playgrounds Pop Up in New York

Neighborhoods in New York City have built temporary "pop-up" playgrounds in an effort to encourage more physical activity among children.

August 16, 2011 - The New York Times

The New Way to Play

New playground designs are shaking up public parks around the world. So long, slides, hello interpretive playscapes.

July 12, 2011 - Dwell

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.