Enhancing caregiver engagement in public playgrounds: Inclusive design strategies for intergenerational play

Traditional public playground design often centres on children’s needs, positioning caregivers in predominantly passive supervisory roles. However, active caregiver involvement not only enhances children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development but also strengthens family bonds and fosters community cohesion. Addressing this gap, this study explores caregiver play behaviours in public playgrounds and the spatial characteristics that influence these interactions. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research combines an on-site questionnaire survey to assess caregivers’ willingness to engage, systematic behavioural observations via the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), and spatial activity mapping to delineate zones within playgrounds. The analysis identifies four caregiver behavioural roles: (1) active player, (2) guided play partner, (3) passive supervisor, and (4) leisure parent. Based on these findings, the study proposes five design strategies to enhance intergenerational play environments: shared-use intergenerational play equipment, family-friendly interactive zones, diversified rest environments, improved spatial connectivity, and multisensory experiences. These strategies aim to transform public playgrounds into inclusive, intergenerational learning environments, thereby contributing to social integration, equitable play opportunities, and overall community well-being in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4.