Children's Play in Multifamily Housing

Abstract

Using formal and informal interviews and systematic and casual observations, children's play facilities in seven multifamily housing developments for moderate and low income families were evaluated. Adult satisfaction with the facilities was related to the number of playgrounds available, and the amount and type of equipment in them. Children liked more responsive equipment like swings and slides, but used all areas of the development for play, particularly hard paved surfaces such as sidewalks which supported bicycle and tricycle riding. Residents wanted age-separated play facilities, and both adults and teenagers wanted a community room to be used only be teenagers. The way in which children and adults interpret and attribute meaning to environmental configurations and activities is discussed. It was suggested that if people's responses to their dull and uninteresting environments are seen as rational adaptations rather than misguided behavior, then some movement toward finding out the actual source of a problem and solving it becomes possible.