Whether you’re creating a brand new play space, adding a new feature or hoping to update what you have, there’s a lot to think about.

This article outlines:

• outdoor play space options to consider for your school community
• how to get started on your outdoor play space project
• some key points to keep your play space safe and functional for years to come

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What Kind of Play Space is Right for You?
As mentioned, a play space can take many shapes and forms. The following are some general categories to consider in choosing what’s right for your school:

• Playgrounds. Traditional—think slides, wooden structures, swings and monkey bars—or designed (fewer prefabricated structures and created with the help of a professional designer to meet the needs of a particular school community).
• Natural features. Can include small wooded areas, walking trails, ponds and fountains to splash in, hills for rolling or sledding down, boulders to climb on and more.
• Trails. Basic walking trails or fitness trails that encourage kids and adults to walk or run between a variety of stations set up to improve strength and flexibility. Stations can be simple, like a bench to stretch on, or more complex, like a series of logs to balance on.
• Tarmac. A large piece of asphalt or concrete provides multiple opportunities for physical activity and socialization. Traditional games like hopscotch, four-square and double dutch are well-suited to these spaces. Paint some lines here and there and get ready to play!

Getting Started
The first step is to get people involved—a school play space is a community affair. You need:

• school staff
• students
• parents
• community league members
• municipal staff

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Be sure to involve students, because if they don’t like it, they’ll never use it.

Next, consider how the current features of your play space might fit into your new plans. And before you get started on a design, check the safety standards and requirements for your school district and municipality.

Make sure your design is multi-use. Can your play space be used after school? By community members? During phys-ed class? On the weekend?

Next, seek out funding sources and get a handle on the budget. There are lots of provincial and municipal grants available for the development of outdoor play spaces.

Finally, make a plan! Set timelines and goals, and assign responsibilities to your team members.

Keep it Going
To be sure that your play space will be around for years to come and provide countless hours of joy, consider this additional information:

• Be sure your play space is accessible for all needs and ages. It’s okay to have areas designed for different ages. It’s also important that there are opportunities for people of all abilities to play successfully.
• Consider how the play space will be used during each of our wonderful Alberta seasons. A one-season facility is not nearly as useful as one that be enjoyed all year long.
• Consider what maintenance will be needed to keep the play space safe for all users, including those with physical challenges.
• Bring your play space planning group back together from time to time to celebrate your accomplishments and share feedback on the play space.

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Outdoor play spaces come in many shapes and sizes. When you choose and build the right design for your school community, it’s easy for kids and adults to come together and play.

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Learn More
Community Facility Enhancement Program
Financial assistance from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for expanding and upgrading Alberta's community facilities.

Community Initiatives Program
Financial assistance from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for Alberta project-based initiatives in areas such as health and recreation.

Development Initiatives Program
Support from Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation for Albertans working on projects and programs in the areas of sport, recreation, parks and wildlife.

NatureScape Alberta Certification
If your school is naturalizing its school ground, get in touch with NatureScape, a non-profit organization that certifies your naturalization project and provides you with resources to make the job easier.

Positive Playgrounds
Remember the games you used to play? Hopscotch, tiddlywinks, skipping rhymes… they’re all here at this website that provides game resources for children, teachers, parents and leaders.

Grounds for Action: Promoting Physical Activity through School Ground Greening in Canada
This is a report from Evergreen, a charity that strives to connect communities with nature.