Making Space for Play: Play for Life

PLAY FOR LIFE Encouraging play for all ages

MAKING SPACE FOR PLAY: Volume Three

ANNA C. VERNA PLAYGROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA

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WHO WE ARE STUDIO LUDO is a 501(c)3 woman led non-profit founded in 2015 whose mission

is building better play through research, advocacy, and design.

We are architects, landscape architects, city planners, and social scientists who have collected user demographics, physical activity, and play behavior data on over 60,000 people in 100 play environments in the US and UK. This dataset is the most current picture of behavior and user preference in play environments in the world, and directly influences all of our play space designs, from rooftops, to schoolyards, to neighborhood parks, to large scale destination playgrounds.

WHY PLAY “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

- George Bernard Shaw Play is one of the primary ways that humans learn, grow, and connect.

Playing fosters tolerance, connects across generations, and helps us learn to live in community together. Play builds grit, prevents burnout, ignites joy through movement, and encourages us to become our best selves.

In a world that is increasingly disconnected, play helps us find each other again.

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OUR RESEARCH Our research asks a simple question - what makes a great space to play?

We have studied play behavior around the globe, and collected data on over 60,000 people in 100 different play environments. Our most significant finding is that half of those people are not children, but teens, adults, and seniors.

People crave movement, joy, and connection. That instinct does not go away once we leave childhood. We need to rethink what play is and who it is for.

OUR FINDINGS In the late 1800’s, when playgrounds were first being built in US cities, 40% of the population was under the age of 18. In 2035, we will reach a tipping point - there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 18.

We know that play evolves as we age, but we do not make enough space or time for it in our everyday lives. Playgrounds are built for the young, but teens, adults, and seniors need play, too.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT SPACE TO PLAY (FOR ALL)?

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ANNA C. VERNA PLAYGROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA

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CORRELATION TO DEVELOPMENT

MENTAL

PHYSICAL

SOCIAL

EMOTIONAL

INFANCY (0-2)

BRAIN GROWTH

GROSS MOTOR

CAREGIVER CONNECTION

MEET NEEDS

EARLY CHILDHOOD (3-6)

BRAIN EFFICIENCY

GROSS/FINE MOTOR

COOPERATION

EMOTIONAL GROWTH

MIDDLE CHILDHOOD (7-9)

BRAIN PRUNING

BONE & MUSCLE GROWTH

SENSE OF SELF

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

LATE CHILDHOOD (10-12)

CONCRETE TO ABSTRACT THOUGHT

RISK TAKING

COLLABORATION

SELF CONFIDENCE

EARLY ADOLESCENCE (13-15)

CRITICAL THINKING

SENSATION SEEKING

PARTNER/FRIEND PAIRING

IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

LATE ADOLESCENCE (16-19)

COMPLEX PROBLEM SOLVING

STIMULANT SEEKING

PEER RELATIONSHIPS

INTROSPECTION

EARLY ADULTHOOD (20-40)

CREATIVITY & PLANNING

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

BUILDING COMMUNITY

RELIEVING STRESS

MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (41-65)

WISDOM & EXPERTISE

MILD EXERCISE & CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

MAINTENANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

REFLECTION & CONTEMPLATION

LATE ADULTHOOD (65+)

COGNITIVE STIMULATION

MAINTENANCE, NO IMPACT

COMBATING LONELINESS

SENSE OF PURPOSE & KNOWLEDGE SHARING

PLAY FOR LIFE Play is an instinct that helps humans learn and connect in a low stakes environment, fostering connection, building community, and helping us thrive.

We play from birth to develop healthy brains and build strong bodies. But play does not stop after childhood, it just evolves.

The Play For Life chart (left) demonstrates how play supports mental, physical, social, and emotional development at every stage of life. This booklet expands on each section of the chart using one of our large-scale, intergenerational design projects - the Anna C. Verna Playground at FDR Park, created in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy, WRT, SPEC, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Play gets people to move more, connect more, and spend more time outdoors, laying the foundation for a lifetime of health and happiness. Our studies show that playgrounds serve more people per square foot than almost any other public space amenity.

It is essential that we invest in and design for play for all ages, in order to support everyone in our communities to be happy and healthy throughout life.

LET’S INVITE ALL AGES TO PLAY! 7

EMBANKMENT SLIDES

WISHBONE LOGS MEGASWING

LAWN LOG SCRAMBLE

NATURE PATH PAVILION

EMBANKMENT SLIDES TOWER

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PLAY AT FDR

TOWERS

LOG CLIMBER

The Anna C. Verna Playground at FDR Park is the first destination playground in Philadelphia.

On either end of the playground are three monumental climbing structures.

Between 20-30’ tall, The Towers reach into the mature tree canopy with slides spiraling to the ground. The transparent enclosure gives users the thrill of being up high and visually connected to their surroundings.

At the center of the site is the largest swing set in North America, the Megaswing, with enough room for 30 people to swing together. The elliptical shape was built for socializing, connecting people swinging with those on the lawn and seating in the middle.

The Lawn and Pavilion ensure spaces for visitors to comfortably relax, gather together, and watch the nature of play.

An accessible Nature Path winds around the planted perimeter berm, providing views of the surrounding lagoon and spaces for quiet reflection.

MENTAL

The Anna C. Verna Playground supports Brain Growth for toddlers and young children with short embankment slides, boulders, and log scrambles in the tot area. Teens gain Critical Thinking as they challenge themselves on the tall towers, slides, and swings.

Older adults receive Cognitive Stimulation as they socialize and play at the logs and swings.

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BRAIN GROWTH Young brains grow best in sensory-rich environments

CRITICAL THINKING Teen brains need space to strengthen executive function & problem-solving

COGNITIVE STIMULATION Aging brains stay plastic with mental stimulation & social interaction

PHYSICAL

The Anna C. Verna Playground develops Gross & Fine Motor Skills for young children at the open-ended log and boulder scrambles scattered around the park. Older children foster Bone & Muscle Growth as they leap off the log climbers or climb the nets.

Adults fight the Battle of the Bulge as they challenge themselves on wishbone logs and spinners.

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GROSS & FINE MOTOR Play helps toddlers & young children to refine their motor skills

BONE & MUSCLE GROWTH Young bodies need impact activities to grow strong

BATTLE OF THE BULGE Being active through play keeps adults fit & provides an endorphin rush

SOCIAL

The Anna C. Verna Playground helps foster Caregiver Connection for young children with the varied seating options located at each play area. Older children gain Sense of Self as they play solo or with others at the megaswing.

Adults Build Community as they socialize with family and friends on the lawn, at the picnic tables, and in the pavilion.

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CAREGIVER CONNECTION Young children need caregivers nearby to feel secure while playing

SENSE OF SELF Playing in middle childhood helps us discover who we are & what we care about

BUILDING COMMUNITY Play continues throughout life, fostering community & connection

EMOTIONAL

The Anna C. Verna Playground supports Emotional Growth for young children as they challenge themselves on the different spinners and various log scrambles. Older children gain Self Confidence as they achieve great heights on the log climber and the towers. Adults can find Stress Relief solo or socializing with others on the megaswing.

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EMOTIONAL GROWTH Play is a low stakes environment for young children to try, fail, & try again

SELF CONFIDENCE Achievements in play lay the foundation for confidence in other aspects of life

STRESS RELIEF Teens & adults need play for emotional regulation & stress reduction

ANNA C. VERNA PLAYGROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA

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IMAGES COVER Anna C Verna Playground, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo PAGE 2 Anna C Verna Playground, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy PAGE 5 Anna C Verna Playground, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee PAGES 8/9 Anna C Verna Playground, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Safety Turf PAGE 11 Top Center- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Top Right- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center Left- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee Lower Left- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo Lower Right- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo PAGE 13 Top Left - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Top Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee Lower Left - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo Lower Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo PAGE 15 Top Left - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee Top Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee Lower Left - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Albert Yee Lower Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Studio Ludo PAGE 17 Top Left - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Top Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center Left- Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Lower Center - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy Lower Right - Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy PAGE 18 Anna C Verna Playground at FDR Park, Philadelphia PA, Photo Credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy

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RESOURCES National Study of Playgrounds: The Influence of Design on Use and Physical Activity, in 60 Playgrounds in 10 US Cities, ISSUU, 2022. Studio Ludo, Cohen D, Talarowski M, Han B, Williamson S, Galfond E, Young D, Eng S, McKenzie T. Playground Design and Physical Activity, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2022. Cohen D, Talarowski M, Han B, Williamson S, Galfond E, Young D, Eng S, McKenzie T. Innovative Playgrounds: Use, Physical Activity and Implications for Health, Public Health, 2019. Talarowski M, Cohen DA, Williamson S, Han B. The First National Study of Neighborhood Parks: Implications for Physical Activity, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016. Cohen D, Han B, Nagel C, Harnik P, McKenzie T, Evenson K, Marsh T, Williamson S, Vaughan C, Katta S. Playground Design: Contribution to Duration of Stay and Implications for Physical Activity, Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023. Cohen D, Talarowski M, Han B, Williamson S, Galfond E, Young D, Eng S, McKenzie T. Playground Locations and Patterns of Use, Journal of Urban Health, 2023. Young D, McKenzie T, Eng S, Talarowski M, Han B, Williamson S, Galfond E, Cohen D. 2017 National Population Projections, United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2017/ demo/popproj/2017-summary-tables.html

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“WE ARE NEVER MORE

FULLY ALIVE THAN WHEN WE ARE

PLAYING.” CHARLES SCHAEFER

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© STUDIO LUDO 2025