A restored connection to the environment is child’s
playFACILITIES, Operations Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 Become a
better steward by incorporating playgrounds into the natural
world. By Rachel Beach Many of us first began to grasp the idea
of a world much larger than ourselves as youngsters. We wandered
in the woods, stuck our noses into rose blossoms, and gazed at
the stars in wonderment. Hundreds of studies have shown that
discovering the beauty of nature is necessary for a child’s
healthy development. Spending time outdoors often means taking
risks such as climbing trees or walking near a cliff, and in
turn encourages children to practice good judgment and be alert
to their surroundings. According to the Consumer Product Safety
Commission guidelines for playground safety, “A risk is a
challenge we are willing to do.” Unstructured play helps develop
a child’s cognitive thinking skills, the ability to learn, and
stimulate one’s imagination. Unfortunately, statistics show that
outdoor play has decreased by 75 p