Congratulations to the Class of 2025, representing 96 accredited landscape architecture programs across the country! (See page 65) LASN is excited to see you grow in the profession with us as we approach our 40th anniversary issue.

As summer arrives with longer days, warmer weather, and more time spent outdoors, it is a perfect moment to reflect on how the spaces you design come to life. Whether you're deep into drafting master plans or finally stepping away from the computer, this season offers a chance to experience the spaces and designs you've long envisioned.

 

One recurring theme during summer, especially in campus and school design, is play. This issue highlights play through both our Product Focus section (page 18) and within the featured projects. These include playgrounds on elementary schools and sports fields in high schools and universities, as the natural evolution from imaginative play leads to organized sports. What's interesting about play is its vital role in the learning process, but not necessarily how you would expect...

Years ago, LASN reported on findings from brain research and child development studies that revealed the importance of unstructured, physical play, not just for physical exertion, but also for cognitive recharging. Activities like climbing, running, or inventing new games help children reset mentally between periods of learning. These moments allow the brain's executive function - the part responsible for focus and concentration - to rest, making way for creativity, memory formation, and emotional balance.

We've seen a growing trend of incorporating natural topography into the built spaces to create rich, naturalistic play experiences. Ropes, hillside climbers, and other nature-inspired features provide physical challenges while also encouraging a different kind of problem-solving than what traditional playgrounds offer.

Research by Robin Moore and Nilda Cosco at North Carolina State has shown that combining natural and constructed elements in play environments leads to higher levels of energy expenditure among children. Their studies suggest that these hybrid environments engage children more deeply (both physically and cognitively) than spaces that are just natural or built. These ideas reinforce the idea that playgrounds do more than provide a recreational space, they actively support students' ability to learn.

God Bless . . .
Aaron Schmok, Editor