The Coronavirus has caused cities and states around the United States to take a look at many different types of businesses and places and determine what may be essential. While some cities have stated playgrounds and parks are essential, others have stated they should not be considered as such.
Fortunately, most cities and counties are changing their stance, with many recognizing the benefits of playgrounds, and in turn, deeming them essential. Here are three key reasons why playgrounds are essential.
Playgrounds Help to Build Important Skills in Children
One of the reasons why playgrounds are essential is because playgrounds help children develop and build important skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. While at a playground, children will be running, jumping, climbing and balancing. This helps to improve their cardiovascular health, help control their weight and help them develop both upper- and lower-body strength. Playgrounds have also been shown to help children improve their hand/eye coordination, work on their agility, improve their balance and can help children set goals and accomplish them.
Playgrounds Give Children a Safe Place to Be Outside
Another reason why playgrounds are essential is because playgrounds provide children with a safe place to be outside. Not every home has a backyard or an area where children can run, jump or play. And unfortunately, it may not be safe for 
children to play outside of their home, as there can be traffic. Being able to play outside is important for children, as being outside has been shown to help boost someone's mood, help improve the immune system, reduce stress, increase happiness and satisfaction and help someone to sleep better at night. Children may not be going to a physical classroom, and if they are, they may not be getting recess. Playgrounds help children get outside play time during the pandemic.
Playgrounds Promote Imaginative Play in Children
The final reason why playgrounds are essential is because they promote imaginative play in children. While a playground may be a great place for a child to let out some of the energy they have and get in physical activity, their mind is often working just as much as their body is. Many children create scenarios while they are at the park. They may be an astronaut playing on a space ship or a princess exploring her castle. Imaginative play provides stress relief to a child, encourages free thinking and is important to their overall creativity and can strengthen parts of the brain that ultimately help children with task execution and problem-solving skills.
Playgrounds play a key role in the overall development of children, physically, emotionally and cognitively. if your city is considering building a new playground or renovating an existing one, you may wonder if now is the time to move forward. Here at May Recreation, we speak playgrounds, and we want you to think about all of the children in your area and how beneficial playgrounds are to them. The pandemic should not shut down playgrounds, nor should cities or counties put building or remodeling playgrounds on hold. Reach out to us today if you are looking to purchase new playground equipment.
