Family-Friendly Communities Start with Play: A Guide to Better Shared Outdoor Spaces

The idea of shared outdoor spaces isn’t new. In the most charming, older European cities, plazas and town squares are recognized as shared spaces. These gathering spots invite everyone to come together, whether it’s for a leisurely coffee during the workday or a cocktail in the evening. Public squares made their way to the United States, acting as vital community hubs for markets, events, meetings, parades, and recreation.

Serving so many purposes, communal areas are particularly popular in metropolitan cities, where having a private garden or backyard is often difficult to come by. Apartment complexes can have a shared courtyard, rooftop, community garden, or dog park for residents. Public parks and playgrounds are other well-known shared outdoor spaces that are just as prevalent in larger cities as they are in suburbia.

For families looking to buy or rent a new home, shared outdoor spaces are always going to be in the “pro” column. Having access to nature without the need to manage or upkeep it yourself can truly be a blessing. Shared outdoor spaces bring communities together, allowing neighbors to socialize casually or residents to invite friends and family over for a more formal occasion. Kids’ birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and even an impromptu dinner party can all take place within a public outdoor space.

Whether you’re looking to design a public park with playground equipment or looking to renovate an apartment rooftop fit for family BBQing, there are a few ground rules or principles to keep in mind. Consider this your designer’s guide to building better shared outdoor spaces fit for families.

Purpose and Vision

With any project, it all begins with a purpose. Ask yourself why you want to construct this outdoor communal space. Who will it serve, or who are you trying to attract? How will it better the community, and what types of activities do you envision occurring within the space? These types of questions can lead you down a path that keeps the intended audience and focus top of mind.

For instance, while including an adult-oriented deck meant for serving alcoholic beverages may not be necessary within a community complex looking to attract more families to the building. Instead, designing an inclusive playground with multiple play zones may be better suited for future residents.

Within this brainstorming phase, it’s a good idea to monitor the area and ask questions. Be in the space and ask questions of the residents and neighbors. You may start to see different patterns in how people behave within the space, such as how people gather in a local park. Put forward your initial thoughts on what you see the space being, and gather feedback. This can ensure the final design meets the needs of those who will be enjoying it.

Design with Intention

After gathering different inputs, it’s time to go to the drawing board. The overarching goal should be to get the most use out of the space — a principle that can only happen if you design with intention. While you may be excited about one idea and jump into it headfirst, it’s important to take a step away and go back to the overall vision and how different families can be within the same space at once.

The layout should be functional, meaning that it should incorporate different play zones or activity areas for shared interests. A basketball court is going to be enticing, but only to those who play basketball. The same goes for a playground built for toddlers. Once a child outgrows the equipment, the space isn’t suited for them.

Having multi-functional zones can address various needs and ensure the area is used optimally. A playground with different zones, such as an activity area with slides and swings, a sensory panel wall, and a sandbox or water area, can be enticing to numerous families. In terms of seating, create an open concept so one family can have an intimate moment or open up the circle for other families to join.

Inclusivity and adaptability should be of primary concern throughout the design process. To create a truly welcoming environment, families with children of varying ages and abilities should feel accepted. On a playground, this means wheelchair-accessible equipment, transfer stations, adaptable bucket swings, and wide, sloping paths. In a community pool area, a kiddie pool alongside a larger pool can create different shared spaces. Think about adding a lift or ramp for wheelchair use, as well as sturdy handrails on the stairs and textured, non-slip flooring, too.

Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Being outdoors is known to boost mental health, improving mood and reducing stress. That said, a communal space that takes away from nature isn’t going to be as beneficial. A large, concrete plaza with artificial turf and non-native plants is doing more damage than good. That’s why during the design and construction phase, it’s essential to prioritize the environment and sustainability.

A well-thought-out green space that incorporates eco-friendly design principles will give back to the families who utilize it and be advantageous to Mother Earth. For public parks, look at the area and see if any large trees can provide natural shade instead of installing a manmade shade structure. Think about keeping large boulders instead of digging them up within a play area. The organic landscape can add to the theme and provide children with the chance to learn how to balance and climb.

Choose materials with low environmental impact, such as recycled plastic or metal equipment, rubber mulch, or tiles made from post-consumer waste. For landscaping, select native plants that will thrive easily, as opposed to exotic flowers that may not last more than a few weeks. Families can appreciate the beauty of the shared communal space knowing that it’s contributing to environmental health, not taking away from it.