HOw do I start an adventure playground?
We love this question! First of all, know that we support you! There are many factors to consider, and many things will depend on where you are, but the first thing we would recommend is to build a team or community that can work together towards building an adventure playground. The second thing is - go for it, take a chance! Email us or start with some resources we have compiled here.
We also recommend contacting Pop-Up Adventure Play. They were the organization we initially contacted and they gave us some of the most useful advice and put us in touch with a global network of people involved in self-directed play.
What are loose parts?
Loose parts are key to the success of an adventure playground - they are items that can be moved altered and used for whatever intentions the users might define.
What is an adventure playground?
How do I become a playworker?
An adventure playground is like a junkyard for youth. The youth have ownership over how the space is built, altered and enhanced. It is filled with materials (usually removed from the waste stream) over which the children have complete control - to build, destroy, enhance. An adventure playground is staffed by trained playworkers.
New playworkers undergo an immersive three day training with our head playworker, covering the theory and practice of playwork, with the opportunity to work on site at The Yard or at citywide pop-ups. Returning staff have the opportunity to deepen and develop their skills via annual professional playwork development courses and at national conferences. Our playworker training weekends are held in New York City each spring.