Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) Playgrounds help enhance children’s cognitive functions and build important creative thinking and problem-solving skills that contributes to their emotional and physical well-being. (2) Playgrounds are critical to children’s physical and mental health, and every child in America deserves access to a safe and quality place to play. (3) Local green spaces can reduce surface heat temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees, which has become the number one weather-related killer in the United States. (4) Safe and accessible playgrounds are proven public health infrastructure that promote physical activity, reduce chronic disease risk, support social-emotional development, and strengthen community cohesion.