Outdoor Play Trends

Children playing on playground equipment during Ultimate Play Day 2022

Pittsburgh has a great deal of interactive greenspaces – approximately 165 parks. But when you think of what’s trendy when it comes to outdoor spaces, what comes to mind? We explored some online conversations, and we made some discoveries. So what’s trending? Inclusive play equipment for people of all abilities, as well as equipment that makes room for playful intergenerational possibilities rank high on the list. Also trending are ziplines, rope based equipment, and towers kids can climb. If you’re interested in exploring the full scope of play equipment trending outdoors right now, check out some of the articles we uncovered.

Current #PlayfulTrends in Playgrounds 

• Top 5 Playground Trends (Park Planet)

• Top Five Park and Playground Trends (Game Time)

• Focus on Fun and Playground Safety (Playground Guardian)

• Planning Your Back to School Playground (PlayWorks)

• Will the McDonald’s PlayPlace Go Away for Good? (The Takeout)

Great Outdoor Places to Play Around Pittsburgh

• Activity Sheets for Pittsburgh Parks (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)

• Explore Parks Tool (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)

• Liberty Green Park (Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh)

• 12 Parks and Playgrounds (Kidsburgh)

• Best Activities for Kids in Pittsburgh with Mobility Impairments (Pittsburgh Magazine)

• Pittsburgh's End of Summer Pool Schedule (TribLive.com)