Exploring the Relationship between Design Approach and Play Value of Outdoor Play Spaces

TLDR

The study assumes that Kit, Fence, Carpet (KFC) style outdoor spaces offer fewer play opportunities than more natural designs, but this paper does not further discuss those spaces. The study investigates how different design approaches to outdoor play spaces affect their play value by developing an evaluation tool based on academic literature. The authors created a tool comprising three dimensions—Play Value, Physical Characteristics, and Environmental Characteristics—and applied it to 10 East Midlands sites. Findings reveal a continuum from KFC to natural spaces, with composite spaces in between, and show that play value rises along this spectrum while equipment type and loose part usage differ across categories. Keywords include outdoor play space design, play value, Kit, Fence, Carpet, playground, and notes on adventure playgrounds developed in England after the Emdrup model.

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports research that explores the relationship between approaches to the ‘design’ of outdoor play spaces and the play value of these spaces. The paper starts by explaining that there is an assumption that an outdoor space in the Kit, Fence, Carpet (KFC) style provides fewer opportunities for play than spaces designed in a more natural way. To test this hypothesis an evaluation tool is developed that draws upon a range of academic literature. The tool includes three dimensions of Play Value, Physical Characteristics of the site and the Environmental Characteristics of the site. This tool was tested on 10 sites in the East Midlands in England. The results indicate that there is a continuum between KFC and more natural spaces with a mid-category of ‘composite’ spaces. Play value increases along this continuum between the two styles while characteristics such as the amount and type of fixed play equipment and the use of loose and moving parts also vary between the types. Key Words: Outdoor play spacedesignplay valueKit Fence Carpet playgroundplay Notes Adventure playgrounds were developed in England following the example of Emdrup in Copenhagen. They are not the focus of this research and so will not be discussed further here.