Kids of all ages love to flock to destination playgrounds where their imagination can run wild from riding the bow of a pirate ship to storming the gates of a castle to cruising to the rescue on a big red fire truck.

This playground design trend provides families with opportunities for play and fun in their neighborhood instead of taking an expensive trip to a theme park.

“These days, kids and their families are looking for experiences — even on the playground. Another top playground trend is the appearance of destination or “themed” playgrounds,” says Miracle Recreation. “Destination- and theme-based playgrounds offer unique and exhilarating play experiences by incorporating unique and traditional elements.”

Designed not just with children in mind, but entertainment for the entire family, these destination playgrounds are attracting all generations, from those who live nearby and even those visiting your area.

“Destination playgrounds are also a good option for communities looking to attract tourists to their area. When parents plan vacations, they typically look for places that offer entertaining family attractions,” says Miracle Recreation.

From themed play equipment to delight children to shade structures, benches and picnic tables for parents to even a spot for Fido to run loose, destination playgrounds are a trend with something for everyone.

What Makes a Playground a Destination Playground

While traditional neighborhood playgrounds are much needed as they offer children not only physical exercise and activity but help improve their social skills and mental health.

Destination playgrounds, however, are designed with more in mind as they are multi-generational spaces created to become a community hub and attract tourists.

“There’s nothing wrong with a basic playground. Plop most kids into a space with a slide, a few swings, and some run-of-the-mill monkey bars, and they’ll be happy as can be. But everyone needs a little magic now and then. These jaw-dropping playgrounds throughout the United States promise to wow kids of all ages and perk up little ones after a long day of sightseeing,” Judy Sutton Taylor writes in “9 Travel-Worthy Playgrounds the Whole Family Will Love” for Travelocity.

So, what makes a playground a destination playground? Here are some elements to look for:

• Unique Design and Theme: A destination playground does not happen by accident! They are carefully created with a unique design and theme in mind. The theme can incorporate local history, culture, or natural surroundings or can add imagination elements such as pirate ships, castles, fire engines, trains, farms and other memorable play spaces.
• Multi-Generational Appeal: Destination playgrounds are not just for young children or specific age groups but offer a wide range of opportunities from toddlers to grandparents. Fitness equipment, quiet areas, climbing walls, walking trails, and inclusive equipment can help ensure that visitors of all ages find fun at a destination playground.
• Inclusive Play: For a playground to truly be a destination playground it not only needs to offer opportunities to those of all ages, but also to those of all abilities. ADA compliance should be just the start as a destination playground should offer sensory-friendly elements and a variety of wheelchair-accessible play structures.
• Variety of Experiences: Destination playgrounds do not focus on one element but offer a variety of experiences to encourage imaginative, physical, and social play. From water features to climbing nets, destination playgrounds can offer fun and challenging play.
• Comfort and Convenience: Destination playgrounds understand that there needs to be amenities for parents, caregivers and the entire family. Shade is essential as well as a variety of seating options and picnic spots. Parking, restrooms, and trash receptacles are all essential items that need to be designed into the playground plan.
• Community Space: Destination playgrounds need gathering spaces to invite the entire community and large groups to utilize the playground. Designers should add open spaces and pavilions that make event planning easy. You don’t have to have children to visit a destination playground as they can be gathering spots for everyone from dog owners with fun dog parks to senior citizens looking to stay active.
• Wow Factor: Destination playgrounds need that “wow factor!” so designers should focus on visually appealing features such as giant slides, unique sculptures, and other aesthetically pleasing elements.
• Work with the Environment: Destination playground designers should work with the environment and natural space that will become their new space. Incorporate as much as possible already existing water features and other natural topography.
  
  

Why Your Community Should Build a Destination Playground

Building a destination playground takes time, effort and resources, but the pay off can be rewarding for your community and those that visit.

“When we are traveling, one of our kids’ favorite activities is playing at a local playground,” says the Our Whole Village travel site. “From a cultural immersion standpoint, it doesn’t get much better than letting your kids run, play and make friends with local kids. Whether visiting another country or just another town or city, a playground romp is a great way for kids to interact with other kids who may look or sound different.”

Here are some reasons why your community should design and build a destination playground:

• Economic Boost and Tourism Appeal: Much like in the movie “Field of Dreams” … build it and they will come. Your unique themed playground can attract visitors which in turn will boost revenue at nearby businesses such as restaurants and shops, and it can even raise the property value of those homes nearby.
• Community Hub: A destination playground is just not for out-of-towners but can be a source of community pride and a hub for events such as festivals. Those playgrounds that incorporate local history and culture can be great teaching tools for area residents.
• Health and Well-Being: Like all playgrounds, a destination playground offers an opportunity for children, and adults, to move and exercise, thus improving their physical health. Playgrounds not only are a panacea for childhood obesity, but they offer children a chance to reduce stress and improve their mental and social skills.
• Nature Play: In today’s increasingly digital-first world, destination playgrounds offer children of all ages the opportunity to escape “screen time” and reconnect with nature.

Destination playgrounds can be cost-effective in the long run as they boost local tourism.

“The outdoor recreation sector will increase its share of the national tourism economy as population growth pressures elevate national consciousness about the value of our remaining wild places and rural areas, bringing the link between parks and recreation and tourism into clearer focus,” says the National Recreation and Park Association (NPRA) .

According to The Urban Parks Foundation, the NPRA estimates that parks and the programs run by parks and recreation departments generate more than $1.5 billion in economic activity in the U.S. while supporting over a million jobs.

“Concerts. Festivals. Farmers Markets. Food truck rallies. Art shows. Across the country, parks provide a welcoming space for community events that can provide an important showcase for small businesses and local makers. As events grow, they can even attract visitors from beyond city limits, driving more dollars into the local economy,” says The Urban Parks Foundation.

Themes Your Destination Playground Can Choose

Miracle Recreation says that the theme your destination playground can choose has no limits, but some typical play spaces incorporate the following:

• Pirate Ship: Inspire kids to imagine sailing the seven seas as they crash through the waves on their very own pirate ship.
• Farm: Play equipment that looks like tractors, barns, and other farm implements can help create a play space with animal themes.
• Castle: Will your playdate have a storybook ending? Your child can be a knight, dragon, or many more characters in castle play.
• Fire Engine: Firefighter play is a child favorite, and they can mimic real life heroes as they “ride” fire engines on the playground to the rescue.
• Train: Most kids have never been on a train, but they can take a trip on one at the local playground where they can be an engineer, conductor, or a passenger along for a thrilling ride.

“When you design a large-scale themed playground, it creates a place for kids in the community to engage their imaginations to have adventures without going anywhere,” says Miracle.

Keep in mind that the themes above are just templates as you can design your playground to highlight essential local elements.

If you are looking to incorporate a play space into a cultural or historical attraction, you can design the look and elements of the playground to incorporate into your attraction,” says Miracle. “For example, if the playground will be located near a transportation museum, incorporating trains and other modes of transportation into the elements of the playground can make the exhibits come alive.”

Remember, there are many winners in designing a destination playground from the children and those of all ages in your local community to tourists and those families visiting from out of town to the local economy.

Contact May Recreation in the Houston area today for help in designing a destination playground that will enrich your entire community.