Play Streets
Ages 6 – 14 Years
A neighbourhood program to reduce exposure to stress
Reduces stress through access to play in safe spaces
Play Streets is a community-driven program that temporarily closes streets to traffic to create safe spaces for children and families to engage in outdoor play and physical activity. These closures typically last a few hours and are organized by local governments, schools, or community groups.
Evidence Base
Built environment neighbourhood characteristics are crucial determinants of physical and mental health (Yue et al., 2022), and programs that encourage play reduce stress in children (Henniger, 1995). The Play Street intervention is a neighbourhood block that residents apply to temporarily close to car traffic and transform into a place where neighbours of all ages can gather and play in their favourite ways. From a systematic review of the impact of Play Streets (Umstattd Meyer et al., 2019)researchers found that providing safe places for child play increased a sense of community, and when measured, data suggest increased physical activity overall and during Play Streets (Umstattd Meyer et al., 2019).
Implementation
Program implemented by a local neighbourhood group
Materials
Manuals, protocols and checklists for the group
Scope of Work
Neighbourhoods without access to open spaces