‘Ultimately, kids learn through experiences. The more varied experiences we can provide from a design point of view, the better’
The next time kids hound you for a virtual reality headset or an electric scooter, remind them of this: The first playground was a sand pit.
https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?p=HEATE4635651943 More 412 Kids.
That innovation came during a movement, in the late 1800s, to protect kids, after an era when they were employed — perhaps abused — in factories.
“The kids were playing in freedom and safety,” said Bea Spolidoro, principal at Fisher Architecture in Pittsburgh. “There wasn’t much to do, but they were getting a kick out of it anyway.”
Playgrounds have evolved substantially since then, evinced by professionals like Spolidoro having a level of expertise in playground design. But that progress is ongoing, as one of the next frontiers is more routinely creating play spaces for all children, of all abilities, not only the kids who can shimmy through a tunnel or cross their arms and legs around a fireman’s pole.
“The most important portion of an accessible playground is dignity,” she said. “Wide paths are important, but you want to make sure there isn’t a step or obstacle that prevents someone in a wheelchair from accessing the space, and in particular, accessing the space without asking someone else for help.”
Inclusion is also achieved by engaging all five senses in playful ways, knowing that not every child will have use of every mode of perception.
“Ultimately, kids learn through experiences,” she said. “The more varied experiences we can provide from a design point of view, the better.”
Spolidoro, a native of Milan, also relies on fellow Italian and educational pioneer Maria Montessori, who viewed the environment as a “third teacher,” after parents and schoolteachers.
A focus on environment emphasizes safety, but also how kids — with any abilities — can take ownership over the playground space, express themselves appropriately (say, not with graffiti) and receive inspiration from the space without too much direction.
Those goals are echoed by the mission of The Miracle League, an international organization that invites children of all abilities to play baseball, while encouraging the construction of “special facilities” for Miracle League players and their families.
“Facilities” often means accessible playgrounds, like those seen at independently run Miracle leagues in the South Hills, Moon and Cranberry.
“This isn’t just an organization or a program or a playground for kids with special needs. It’s for everybody.” said Tim Gebhart, executive director of The Miracle League of the South Hills, based in Upper St. Clair. “It’s for everybody to come together, and share the love, and just know that no matter what we look like or who we are or where we’re from, everyone likes fun. Everyone likes to play.
“Tommy’s just Tommy. Tommy isn’t Tommy in a wheelchair.”
Aliens, a lunar rover and space slime await kids of all abilities at The Miracle League of Moon at People’s Park.(Abby Mackey/Post-Gazette)
Another universal among children — at least American children — is summer break.
It’s full of possibilities and a chance to make memories they’ll draw on forever. But designers like Spolidoro keep those periods in mind, knowing that the same kids may return to the same spaces over and over again, while also desiring novel experiences.
“I like to make sure a space is different, is unique,” she said. “But at the same time, not unique in a very over-designed way. I want it to be unique because you can uniquely interact with it.”
That’s why playgrounds might include low, nondescript windows on playground structures. The height accommodates kids of differing abilities to, one day, decide it’s a food truck. The next, it’s a house. The next, it’s a school.
“It’s very important to create spaces that kids can interpret themselves,” she said. “That will beat the boredom effect, because if you keep going back to the same park, that looks like the same park you could find anywhere else, with the same little plastic box, with the same colors, after a while kids are like, ‘I know this. I’ve done this before.’”
Beating the “boredom effect” is also accomplished with real, not imagined, novelty.
Tamari Morton, 1, from Monroeville, left, enjoys some sensory play with sisters Da-Layia Duck, 7, and Da-Rayia Duck, 3, both from White Oak, during the celebration of a 6-acre expansion at Allegheny RiverTrail Park on June 8.(John Colombo/For the Post-Gazette)
10 stellar Pittsburgh-area playgrounds
As both a tool to explore the region, and to explore some of the area’s most fun spaces, here are 10 to get you started.
1. Cross Creek County Park
1 County Park Road, Avella
Situated just up the hill from a boat launch, shoreline fishing spots, a trailhead and a park office is one of the area’s most unique play areas.
Sporting a knotted rope climbing structure, a spinning UFO-like ride-on, an impressive zip line and children’s bicycle park (complete with tunnels, bridges and hills to challenge their skills), this park is ready-made for a full day of fun.
(And don’t forget your rods, tackle and fishing licenses.)
2. The Miracle League of the South Hills Clubhouse Playground
1551 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair
This accessible playground lets everyone play — on one of the most entertaining sets of structures found in the area.
Much like in the city of Pittsburgh, the “Roberto Clemente Bridge” at this park is a perfect spot for observing the adjacent baseball field. A giant baseball glove forms a set of tube slides. A dinosaur and fossil-themed cliff invite climbing. Sawed-off baseball bats create a set of bells. A “Big”-like piano can be played with feet, wheels or other mobility tools. Two water features keep everyone cool.
And kids passively learn that kids are kids, regardless of how they get around.
3. Wightman Playground
5612 Solway St., Squirrel Hill
This playground is a climber’s paradise.
Multiple oversized hoops stretch climbing nets. A tightrope-like feature safely challenges balance (and guts). A rock wall offers a more traditional way to climb.
And for those seeking a less adventurous vibe, the park offers traditional play structures, metal and glass sculptures and a winding wooden walkway through a rain garden.
4. Mingo Creek County Park Pirate Playground
558 Mingo Creek Road, Eighty Four
Yes, it’s a giant pirate ship.
Those out of that stage, or who never sailed there in the first place, can focus on the ship’s unique features, such as a hydraulic “elevator.” Or walk about 30 yards to enjoy the creek and the wealth of critters visible along its path.
Much of this space is in the shade, making it a pretty perfect summertime play spot.
5. The Miracle League of Moon Township at People’s Park adaptive playground
1350 Joe DeNardo Way, Moon
Ground control to major fun: This playground, for all abilities, is out of this world.
Moon takes its moniker pretty literally, and the local Miracle League followed suit when designing its playground: A lunar rover, extraterrestrial slime and little green men greet small earthlings, for whom imagination is the only limitation to play.
Then, take a drive through the rest of the park for other out-of-this-world play spaces, including a splash pad that will wow, trails and a pond.
6. Blue Slide Playground, Frick Park
2005 Beechwood Boulevard at Nicholson Street, Squirrel Hill
Including this spot isn’t trite. It’s iconic, and can’t be ignored.
On a steep hillside is a molded cement groove painted blue. The expectation is that you bring a piece of discarded cardboard just big enough for your behind, sit on it, and slide on down.
There are also a few tunnels with pretty fantastic murals inside, and plenty of other play structures.
But it’s all about the blue slide, the cardboard and the unpretentious fun created by combining the two.
Sisters Madison Borkovich, age 23, left, and Mackenzie Borkovich, age 20, both from Indiana Township enjoying relaxing in the oversized lawn chairs during a celebration at Allegheny RiverTrail Park on June 8.(John Colombo/For the Post-Gazette)
7. Allegheny RiverTrail Park
285 River Ave., Aspinwall
The prospect of viewing fine art doesn’t appeal to many kids, but a sculpture, created by New York artist Tom Otterness, that just happens to hold a double slide? Well, that attracts a crowd.
In 2015, the Aspinwall community unveiled its new riverfront playground, anchored by a marionette doll-like figure, reclined and smiling, inviting kids to climb up its back or over its belly, and slide down its shins.
If novelty is the goal, Allegheny RiverTrail Park, previously known as Aspinwall Riverfront Park, is the solution. Earlier this month, the park celebrated the grand opening of an additional six acres.
8. Stoneridge Park inclusive playground
807 Dressel Road, Shaler
Proving that playgrounds for everyone is indeed a trend, Shaler unveiled a brand new and accessible playground just a few weeks ago.
Stemming from the generous donation of a resident, who chooses to remain anonymous, and his request for this new playground to welcome people of all abilities, the new structure pops with classic primary colors and includes a wide variety of ways to play.
9. South Park Children’s Playground
2406 Brownsville Road, South Park
This space has held a playground since before many current parents of little ones were born, but this iteration is brand new as of December.
All wooden, and with a vaguely tree house-like vibe, this playground will also speak to those enamored with princesses, knights and swords stuck in stones as a few turrets decorate main structure’s highest points.
With heaps of climbing nets and a zip line, this playground can entertain older siblings, too, not just the little guys and girls.
Highland Park’s Super Playground summons aspiring sailors, pirates and marine biologists with a nautical theme.(Abby Mackey/Post-Gazette)
10. Highland Park Super Playground
Reservoir Drive, Highland Park
Ahoy, mates and landlubbers. This imagination-stirring space, with a strong nautical theme, invites future ocean scientists, pirate-lovers and anyone thirsting to sail the seven seas with a large, artistic ship structure and bouncing sea animals surrounding it.
And before anyone walks the plank, be sure to first walk down the road to catch Highland Park’s Victorian-style Entry Garden.
ABBY MACKEY
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
amackey@post-gazette.com
JUN 12, 2024
Abby Mackey is a registered nurse, and can be reached at amackey@post-gazette.com and IG @abbymackeywrites.
First Published: June 12, 2024, 5:30 a.m.
Updated: June 12, 2024, 10:12 a.m
