Olivia's state-of-the-art inclusive and interactive playground. Installed by Lark Industries

Public spaces - create a healthy environment for everyone

A healthy environment for children, young people, adults, and seniors positively influences the quality of life in neighborhoods. This also encourages those who may have difficulty moving on their own to get outside, play, exercise, and socialize with others.

But how can you organize your outdoor areas so that play and sports promote health and well-being? Are there any inspiring design concepts for public recreational spaces?

Play brings generations together

At Lappset, we recognize the importance of play in bringing people of all generations together, providing opportunities for children of all abilities, engaging young people, and promoting the health benefits of exercise for older adults. We take pride in helping communities create inclusive, active, and entertaining environments that challenge and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

Children playing in a dinosaur playground equipment

Designing and furnishing unique play landscapes

Unique and modern playgrounds are not just playing areas but also future cityscapes that cater to all our senses. They combine architectural elements and intriguing structures to create an unforgettable playground experience. With interactive and unique elements, children and adults alike can let their imaginations run wild.

Consider this: many of us use well-designed playgrounds as recognizable landmarks to give directions or inform people of our location. These places, although not originally intended to serve this purpose, create somewhere a community can come together and share in the enjoyment of the great outdoors. They also serve as notable points of interest in the community. By creating an interactive, energetic park and playground that is also an easily recognizable communal meeting place, you provide your community with additional fun elements and features that strengthen its identity.

Interactive play in your city

We all know that the younger generation is digitally orientated. They don’t go outside to play and have fun. But we have developed interactive sports and play equipment that reaches and rechallenge this target audience.

For the young and the elderly, abled and less abled, opportunities to play and let off steam should be provided everywhere. The interactive playsets invite everyone back to the playground, no matter their age or ability.

Positive aspects:

Vandal- and weatherproof
Motivate your children to go to public playgrounds
Barrier-free play floor – fully accessible for all
It’s an iconic landmark in your city
You motivate all ages and abilities to go outside and play together
Reconnect and socialize

Children and adults playing tag on the Memo

Colorful Lappset playground with a Halo Cubic and Sona in Speelhof Park, Belgium

Modern compact playgrounds

Children learn the value of healthy behavior as they grow up – and public spaces can have a truly positive impact! To ensure that as many children as possible benefit from outdoor play, it is important to organize any available space effectively.

Fortunately, Lappset has you covered with compact playground equipment that lets young minds explore: offering a stimulating environment for physical growth alongside cognitive and social development in even the smallest areas. Growing up and pushing boundaries in exciting ways can be the goal for many playgrounds. Lappset provides playground equipment with play values instead of play functions that are challenging for different ages and skill levels. When adding interactive playsets to playgrounds, you get an inspiring play area for the whole neighborhood, stimulating both younger children and teenagers alike!

Inclusive playgrounds and sports areas

Embracing the outdoors should be a source of joy accessible to all, regardless of age or ability. At Lappset, our commitment to inclusivity is steadfast, ensuring that both the young and old, those with diverse abilities, and the non-disabled can share the delight of play and exercise together. We recognise that having fun is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, and engaging in outdoor activities that bring joy fosters a sense of safety and belonging. Simple adjustments to a 'typical' playground can transform it into an inclusive space. Lappset's inclusive design approach caters to individuals with diverse abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate in the pleasure of playing together. Our vision has always been to unite people in shared experiences rather than segregating them into separate groups, promoting a genuinely inclusive and enriching environment.

Children playing with their grandparents under the Sona Interactive dance and play arch

Nature play

Children spend most of their time indoors, so it's important to encourage them to play outside as much as possible. Playing in nature helps to develop children’s cognitive, physical, and mental abilities. However, in urban areas, nature can be scarce for children, making it difficult to play outdoors. With Lappset’s wooden playground equipment, nature is easily accessible and within reach.

Our northern pine timber is incredibly durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions, from frostbite to sun scorch – this sturdy yet soft material ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for children regardless of the weather. Not only is it resilient, but with an eco-friendly carbon footprint, you can trust that these products are helping preserve our environment for future generations!

Only the best parts of the tree are used in the playground equipment. Furthermore, we offer non-painted options for all our wooden playgrounds and fitness equipment.

See our Flora nature playground equipment

Interactive parks

We are increasingly aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and all of us would like to sport and exercise more. How can you organize the scarce outdoor space as optimally as possible so that as many people can enjoy sports?

Lappset interactive sports solutions are precisely what you’ve been looking for! By adding, for example, the Lappset Toro Interactive sports arena or Lappset Sutu Interactive ball wall, you create an innovative sports area where individuals can play solo or in a team. Our products also have a small footprint with a large capacity!

Learn more about the Lappset Interactive playground and sports equipment

Children playing on the Lappset Sutu Interactive play pillars

Dash Parkour spot in Den Haag, The Netherlands

Urban sports for public spaces

Urban sports areas for young people and adults are becoming increasingly popular. Working out in an outdoor gym and freerunning in public spaces is immensely popular, and we see new pump tracks popping up all over the place. Lappset’s Dash Parkour is designed and tested according to safety standards and can be installed in public areas. Our Fitness equipment can be utilized to create an adult obstacle course or street workout spot.

Urban sports are a great way of motivating and activating people. Cities should promote a healthy image by highlighting these facilities in their marketing efforts and encouraging people to exercise together. To make sports facilities more appealing and engaging, especially for young people, consider incorporating exciting interactive devices that motivate and inspire them to express themselves. This can also help create a greater appeal toward physical activity.

It is important to finalize all public spaces

When people gather to socialize, play or exercise, it is important to support their healthy lifestyle by offering opportunities to arrive while jogging, cycling, riding a kick scooter, or anything other than a car. For this, public spaces need adequate facilities for securing bicycles, disposing of snack wrappers in a litter bin, and placing your jacket on the bench or a table for your water bottle.

Minimum requirements for a public park:

Two benches (one in the sunshine, one in the shade)
One litter bin to discourage littering
One bicycle stand accommodating at least four bicycles

A good set of benches in a public park can also serve as a pathway for elderly residents in residential areas. This connection between exercise areas and daily activities is important. In addition to promoting physical activity, social gathering places can also encourage the use of sustainable transportation, such as walking, cycling, or skating to and from these areas.