Playground Designs Could Make Okanagan Children Healthier

In a world where child obesity remains a big issue, Okanagan College is working on ways to make play healthier for kids.

Two researchers, the Director of Learning and Teaching Dr. Beverlie Dietze and North Okanagan Regional Dean Jane Lister, have received a grant worth $23,530 from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). This grant will fund their research on designs for outdoor playscapes and equipment as well as study on the effects of such environments on child development.

“More than half of Canadian children under five years of age spend less than 10 hours per week playing outdoors versus 20 to 30 hours per week in sedentary activities,” says Dietze. “We know we have to find a way to make the best use of the outdoor time they do have and find ways to encourage more.”

“Research shows a direct correlation between the increase in childhood obesity, depression, ADHD and heart disease with the decrease in outdoor play.”

Along with Outland Design Landscape Architects, the researchers will attempt to apply principles of play to new playground designs. Outland will then make prototypes on these principles, and children at the North Okanagan Child Care Society will do the field tests. At the end of the project, the company will have at least five designs for their purposes, while the daycare gets a new play space.

Two students will be hired with part of the grant money to help with the project, one to help Dietze with the research and the other to help Lister manage and market the project.