Playgrounds are often the first line item labeled a “nice-to-have” in public budgets, yet they function as much more than an amenity — they are a critical part of the community infrastructure. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces strengthen neighborhoods, support better health outcomes and shape a community’s long-term vitality.
Beyond the obvious joy they bring to children, families and communities, outdoor spaces deliver often overlooked returns. From boosting property values to improving holistic health, these spaces create measurable impact while cultivating belonging and joy.
Here are seven meaningful ways playgrounds strengthen communities from the ground up.
1. Where Play Meets Property Value
According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), there are property value gains when living close to outdoor public spaces. This impact extends well beyond individual homeowners. Playgrounds attract families, families attract businesses and businesses reinforce thriving neighborhoods. It’s a positive loop that starts with something as simple (and fun!) as creating spaces for kids, families and communities to gather and play.
2. Preventive Healthcare in Motion
The National Library of Medicine reports that the United States spends a staggering $173 billion each year on obesity-related healthcare costs. Childhood obesity alone contributes billions and its long-term effects follow children into adulthood.
Physical activity patterns formed early in life directly influence adult habits. Kids exercising and moving with adults helps them develop physical literacy. Physical literacy, the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to engage in physical activity for life, helps kids grow into healthier adults with significantly lower lifetime healthcare costs. A regional study showed that helping just 15% more youth reach recommended activity levels could save more than $262 million in healthcare expenses.
Outdoor public spaces offer places for everyone to be together outdoors and move, play and exercise together.
3. A Free, Multigenerational Fitness Hub
Speaking of exercising and moving together… gym memberships are great, but they can be costly, especially for families. Depending on the region, the cost can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per person each year.
Playgrounds, outdoor obstacle courses and trail-side fitness equipment with multigenerational components create accessible opportunities for strength, cardio and mobility for everyone from kids 5-12 to adolescents and adults 13+.
Outdoor obstacle courses like the Burke ELEVATE® Fitness Course are designed for varied ability levels and invite community members to build balance, strength and cardiovascular fitness together. They turn movement into something shared, fun and interactive — a space where families and communities stay active side by side. Unlike many gyms, these outdoor spaces allow kids, families and community members to move in the same environment, offering more than just physical benefits.
4. A Competitive Advantage for Communities
Families consider parks and playgrounds when choosing where to live. Employers consider them too. Communities with high-quality recreational spaces send a clear message: This is a place that invests in people.
Playgrounds and outdoor spaces signal vitality. They show that leaders care about livability, wellness, connection and family-friendly design. They provide evidence that a community supports growth and values its residents' well.
5. The Play-to-Learning Connection
Academic success is one of the most important indicators of a community’s long-term strength. A systematic review published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing found that access to outdoor green space is linked with improved attention, memory and self-discipline — and even higher standardized test scores.
Outdoor play especially benefits children with ADHD, who show improved attention and reduced symptoms after time spent in outdoor spaces. Activities like climbing, balancing and navigating complex play structures support executive functioning — the same mental skills kids use to organize their thoughts, solve problems and learn.
Investing in quality play environment is an investment in cognitive development and school performance. Play isn’t time away from learning — it’s a critical part of it.
6. Strengthening Bonds Across Generations
Beyond the data is what we know about humans. They want to, and need to, connect and be present with each other. Multigenerational playspaces create environments where everyone can engage together. Play events like MOVMNT® Xtreme and MOVMNT Inclusive offer a game everyone can play, while Novo® Playful Furniture brings seating and play together within the playspace.
7. Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
Children who spend time outdoors build stronger connections to the natural world and are more likely to develop a lasting commitment to the environment as they grow. Playgrounds that combine nature and play — the Burke NaturePlay® Collection is a good example of this — introduce kids to nature in joyful, memorable ways that help shape how they value green spaces and advocate for them. These early experiences influence the people they become — ones who champion parks, invest in conservation and prioritize a healthier, greener place to live.
What It All Adds Up To
These seven benefits capture only part of the impact. The rest of it is in the people…the confidence they build, the friendships they form and the pride they feel in their outdoor spaces.
Your Next Step
At Burke we create opportunities for communities to move, connect and thrive together. The right outdoor space designs can amplify every benefit you’ve read about and more.
Connect with your Burke representative to discuss your goals or explore our design resources to see how imagination, research and innovation come together to create spaces that deliver value for years to come.