June 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 65

adventures. It is important to also address the limitations of the study. The
data suggests a selection effect: Most
of the respondents were Caucasian,
highly educated and relatively affluent. Visiting the Natural Playscape
takes a concerted effort. Because of
this, it is clear from the data that getting children outside and involved in
nature is important to this specific
demographic of users. Although the
data highlights how the Forest Preserve is filling a need for those who
already have high motivation to seek
outdoor opportunities, it does not yet
provide information that supports attracting different types of people or a
" new generation " of parents who are
not already motivated and interested.
Overall, it's clear that the Natural
Playscape is a place that allows kids
to be kids. It's a place where they
can manipulate the environment,
" ...When
create dams, skip rocks, change the
Self-Perceived Benefits of Using
we're
out
at
Homer
direction of a stream, play in the
the Natural Playscape
Lake, there are logs and
sand, and feel the texture of logs
More than 88 percent of surbeneath their bare feet and the
vey respondents indicated that
sticks and rocks and water,
hard surface of a boulder on
the Natural Playscape is betbut you have to kind of make
their chests. It's a place where
ter than most other outdoor
your
own
situation,
and
so
I
think
it's actually OK to get dirty
parks or play areas in promotthat they get to explore creativity
and manipulate their world.
ing a connection with nature.
and be more verbal with each
It is also a place for parents
Additionally, more than 69
to
get respite and relax - to
percent of survey respondents
other and create scenarios that
be able to enjoy seeing their
also rated it as better than most
they don't do in a built play
kids having fun from a distance.
in promoting fun, imaginary
structure. "
It fulfills their need to engage in
play and quiet reflection.
-
35-year-old
mother
of
family experiences that they value
The Natural Playscape is a unique
and
hope will be a legacy for their
outdoor environment that fosters chilthree children
children. One man from a participant
dren's development in a different way
observation sums it up best in saying,
than they are exposed to at home,
" It's amazing how such a simple idea
school and traditional playgrounds.
can be so successful. "
For newcomers and regulars alike, the
Interviewees reported that compared
Natural Playscape meets people halfto other playgrounds, the Playscape
way between an experience in a compromoted imaginary play, exploration,
Dina Izenstark, M.S., CPRP, is a Ph.D.
student in Human and Community
pletely natural space and a familiar
creativity, physical activity, learning
Development at the University of Illinois at
play environment. For some visitors,
and socialization with new friends.
Urbana-Champaign (izenstar@illinois.edu).
this is as much nature as they will
Aaron Ebata, Ph.D., is an Associate
ever feel comfortable experiencing,
Barriers to Using the
Professor of Human Development and Family
while others will use it as a stepping
Natural Playscape
Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbanastone to embrace other wilderness
Although participants indicated that
Champaign (ebata@illinois.edu).
Value Sharing
Another reason why families visited
the Natural Playscape was to pass on
their nature values. Using the Natural Playscape as a family encouraged
some participants to reflect on their
own childhood experiences in nature. Analyzing the interview data
revealed that the Natural Playscape
was not only beneficial for children
but parents as well. When asked,
" What is your favorite part of the
Playscape? " many interviewees commented how using the Natural Playscape allowed them to relive some of
their own childhood memories.
Many interviewees also indicated that
going to the Natural Playscape together
as a family was purposeful with the goal
of exposing their children to nature in
the same ways they experienced the natural environment as a child.

spending time at the Natural Playscape was important for their family,
there were also barriers many families experienced that limited how
often they could visit. Most interviewees indicated that weather, travel time and distance were important
factors in deciding whether or not to
visit the Natural Playscape.
Because of these barriers, some families chose to reserve visiting the Natural Playscape for special occasions
when the whole family could go.
These findings illustrate how the
Natural Playscape is more than just
a park - it's also a tool to get families excited about nature. It's clear
that the Natural Playscape has the
potential to be an effective vehicle
to help bridge the nature-deficit gap.

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June 2014 - Parks & Recreation

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