July 2023 Newsletter
Barry Park Splash Pad, Lynn, MA
Image © Gregg Shupe
The Importance of Play
Summer is arguably the most popular season in New England. The destinations located within a short radius of Boston seem limitless; we can escape to the mountains for a hike and enjoy a refreshing ocean swim all in the same day. However, it's not always possible to spontaneously embark on an adventure. That's where local outdoor spaces come into play. Parks, playgrounds, trails, waterfronts, and splash pads are vital to communities and neighborhoods across Massachusetts. During the pandemic, these spaces became even more crucial, providing safe havens for socializing with friends, family, and neighbors. Now, over three years since the first lockdown, as life gradually returns to normal, our ongoing commitment to creating outdoor and play opportunities allows us to provide all communities, and especially the children within them, with invaluable opportunities for exploration, creativity, and personal development.
Bremen Street Park, Boston, MA
Image © BNAN
Successful community parks and playgrounds require significant community investment. Their design should be well-researched, responsive to community needs, and provide engaging, diverse, and inclusive experiences. By incorporating sensory play, children can learn important skills for success in the world. It's crucial to include various elements that stimulate different senses, allowing children to explore through touch, movement, vision, sound, and social interaction. When every child gets to enjoy the excitement of sensory play, a playground becomes a place where they can develop their bodies, minds, and self-confidence, setting the stage for a healthy and fulfilling life.
The Northern Strand, Lynn, MA
Image © Gregg Shupe
Jean Kennedy Playground, Quincy, MA
Image © Gregg Shupe
In the shadow of COVID-19 and the face of climate change, it is imperative to continue to invest in quality active and passive recreational areas. BRR is proud to have worked on many playgrounds and splash pads over the years, including recently opened play spaces such as the Barry Park playground and splash pad in Lynn, MA, the Taffrail and Jean Kennedy play spaces in Quincy, MA, and Northern Strand Linear Park and Playground in Lynn, MA. By investing in and prioritizing these locations and their potential impacts, BRR looks forward to assisting communities with creating valuable resources for children's growth, well-being, and environmental awareness. Where are you looking forward to visiting this summer?
Taffrail Road Splash Pad, Quincy, MA