Playgrounds have long acted as social hubs for both adults and children. They bring people from all walks of life together, and they promote health in many ways. Now, however, they are advancing into the future as the environment demands. More citizens are insisting their parks are clean, green, sustainable spaces. And of course, eco-friendly playgrounds have a huge role to play in this movement. Here are the top ways in which these playgrounds are reshaping community green spaces for the better.
They Act as Outdoor Classrooms
Children are struggling to learn more now than ever. More children are diagnosed with learning disabilities, and many others find it difficult to sit still. Much of the reason for that has to do with being stuck inside a classroom. For thousands of years, human children ran and played in their early years. It makes sense that they would learn better in spaces that encourage this kind of movement regularly.
One of the most obvious ways in which these eco-friendly playgrounds transform green spaces is by acting as learning hubs. Because the playground equipment is typically made from recycled rubber, plastic, and wood, it integrates well into the natural environment. There, children can learn about the ways their playgrounds are good for the earth and what recycling looks like in real-time. And they can run, jump, and play all the while.
Sustainable Materials Minimize Costs
The next, and perhaps most obvious way eco-friendly playgrounds impact community spaces is through cost savings. Many cities are on tight budgets and are even under-resourced. They can barely make ends meet when it comes to roads, streetlights, and emergency services. They’re unlikely to be able to spring for a brand new, state of the art playground plus the surrounding park trails, plants, and water features.
An eco-friendly playground goes a long way toward saving the city money. This is obviously also true for schools and churches that want to create new play spaces for the kids. The equipment can come in at a lower cost because the materials have been repurposed. They’re also usually cheaper to maintain because the equipment is designed to last in a natural environment over time. Thus, the entire green space ends up being a good investment for the community.
Energy Efficient Materials Reduce the Carbon Footprint
Sadly, landfills and trash have become overwhelming on the planet to the point of microplastics running through virtually every space. This includes in our water and even in our bodies. There are islands of floating trash in virtually every ocean, and humans continue to buy and dispose of items every day. The best move municipalities can make is to encourage citizens to reduce, reuse, and recycle, And the best way to do that is by example.
That’s where recycled materials for playgrounds come in. When eco-friendly playgrounds are made from recycled tires, old wood, bamboo, and hemp, the spaces have a much lower carbon footprint. They last much longer, manufacturing them doesn’t harm the environment, and even when they do end up outliving their purpose, they can be recycled and reused again for a new product. The carbon footprint of a playground like this is incredibly low.
Eco-Friendly Practices Conserve Natural Resources
The cost of a playground is only one way in which it impacts the community. It also has a lasting effect on the surrounding environment. Maintaining the park’s lights after dark is a hefty cost. Running water to splash pads and restrooms also takes its toll on natural resources. Oh, and the plants need to be watered regularly as well. While most communities have long considered playgrounds and parks worth the drain on the environment, there’s no defying their carbon footprint.
Until now. Eco-friendly playgrounds can provide myriad solutions to stressed resources. Cities can install sun shades that act as surfaces for solar panels. Any energy used to run the entire park can be provided by those panels. The Parks and Recreation Department can also practice rainwater harvesting and recycling. That way, splash pads, fountains, and features never waste water. And the sprinkler system can run on harvested and stored rainwater to water drought-resistant plants when necessary.
Increased Interaction with Nature Promotes Health
Finally, the entire purpose of these eco-friendly playgrounds is to be green. If there’s anything Americans need more of, it’s time in green space. People in the United States of all ages are more stressed out, more depressed, and more anxious than ever. It’s no coincidence that those same citizens spend less time outside, less time exercising, and less time in social settings than ever before.
These playgrounds encourage people to spend more time in nature. Kids can get ample exercise scaling wooden structures, building forts, rolling in the grass, and climbing trees. Meanwhile, parents can walk around a pond, play pickleball on a court, or just relax on a bench while their kids play. And those without kids can meet new friends, have a picnic date, and more. All of these activities and more promote mental, physical, and emotional health of everyone involved.
In the end, eco-friendly playgrounds are an ideal answer to the problems of climate change and exhausted resources. They both reduce their cities’ carbon footprint and save the cities money, and promote the health and well-being of the members of the community who visit. And as a bonus, they offer an opportunity for kids of all ages to start learning about the important role of environmental stewardship. They’re heartwarming, welcoming spaces that serve the greater good.
