Hope you enjoy this playful issue as we explore the things that make a playground great, starting with a qualified Practicing Landscape Architect (PLA). You know, play isn't just all fun and games . . . There's actually a lot of science in play . . . Go figure . . . Does that mean that if I had paid more attention in science class, I would have had more fun at recess? Maybe . . .

An interesting twist is that science says that play with science or any learning when in a school/recess environment is actually detrimental to the educational advancement of the player, while including science and learning in out-of-school play increases the absorption of knowledge in said player. In other words, if you want smarter kids, let them just play during recess and save the history, science, and learning themes for the public playgrounds.

And when you get older, play becomes exercise, which sounds a lot like work, but can actually be fun and entertaining, especially when the exercise equipment is in close proximity to the kids on the swings and slides. Even better if the kids are actually learning something interesting while at

 
the public playground.

The good news is that we are seeing more and more playgrounds that have something for all ages and skill levels. From 2 to 92 year-olds, playgrounds are including traditional 'TV' sports as well as pickleball, table tennis, bocce, and gym-quality exercise equipment immersed into the overall playground space.

So, as we hope you'll see in this issue . . . The fun reality is that you don't have to be a youngster to have fun at a playground these days, especially if it was designed by a PLA!

Go Get'em . . . Enjoy the last bits of Summer and . . . God Bless!





P.S. . . Congratulations to Bradley McCauley PLA, (F)ASLA as the recently elected President Elect of ASLA. We look forward to working with Bradley in 2026, as we did with this year's President SuLin Kotowicz PLA, FASLA and will for Kona Gray PLA, FASLA this upcoming year after he is installed at the Annual Meeting Washington, D.C. October 6-9.

P.P.S. . . There's a good chance the NRPA is going to add a Landscape Architect to their board of directors this month . . . Cross Your Fingers!

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2023.