03. Outdoor Space - Playgrounds

Provide access to outdoor playgrounds

Rationale: Playgrounds with creative, cooperative, and physical play elements create opportunities for children to socialize, exercise, and learn — lowering the risk of developing obesity and emotional and behavioral disorders.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Requirement Guidance

For buildings with multiple entrances, identify a main building entrance that is used to access a common area within the building such as a lobby, reception area, or main circulation pathway.

A playground area may qualify for more than one building. A combination of multiple playground areas that meet the below requirements may qualify for the strategy.

Demonstrate compliance with the option below:

Option 1 - Outdoor Playground (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Identify an outdoor playground that incorporates elements for a minimum of two of the following types of play:
   • creative or imaginative play (such as colorful ground markings, moving elements, or other equipment that allows children to imagine scenarios)
   • cooperative play (such as sand boxes, building blocks, or other equipment that requires at least two children to play)
   • physical play (such as monkey bars, climbing walls, or other equipment that requires children to exert physical effort).
2. Ensure that the identified playground is free of charge to all residential occupants.
3. Locate the identified playground within a 1/2-mile or 800-meter walking route from a main building entrance of each building within the project.
4. Ensure the playground is open and functional year-round.

Option 2 - Outdoor Playground Nearby 51% of Buildings (Partial Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Identify an outdoor playground that incorporates elements for a minimum of two of the following types of play:
   – creative or imaginative play (such as colorful ground markings, moving elements, or other equipment that allows children to imagine scenarios)
   – cooperative play (such as sand boxes, building blocks, or other equipment that requires at least two children to play) 
   – physical play (such as monkey bars, climbing walls, or other equipment that requires children to exert physical effort). 
    
2. Ensure that the identified playground is free of charge to all residential occupants.
3. Locate the identified playground within a 1/2-mile or 800-meter walking route from a main building entrance of 51% of buildings within the project.
4. Ensure the playground is open and functional year-round.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or photographs showing the planned elements that support the listed types of play.       
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground will be accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.       
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map showing the planned distance between the playground and a main building entrance of the furthest building within the required distance.       
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground will be open and functional year-round.        

Option 2

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or photographs showing the planned elements that support the listed types of play.
• Requirement 2: 
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground will be accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.
• Requirement 3: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map showing the planned distance between the playground and a main building entrance of the furthest building within the required distance.
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground will be open and functional year-round.

Built Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or photographs showing the elements that support the listed types of play.      
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground is accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map showing the distance between the playground and a main building entrance of the furthest building within the required distance.       
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground is open and functional year-round.        

Option 2

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or photographs showing the elements that support the listed types of play.      
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground is accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map showing the distance between the playground and a main building entrance of the furthest building within the required distance.       
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the identified playground is open and functional year-round.