Shiloh Park Playground Recognized for Implementing Evidence Based Design

Shiloh Park Playground Joins Network of Best Practice Sites to Receive Recognition and Outcomes Data

 Zion, IL – PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research and Education (CORE) awarded its National Demonstration Site® Designation to Shiloh Park Playground for thoughtfully aligning with evidence-based design best practices to promote inclusive play for all abilities and youth physical activity.

This Inclusive Playground applies a comprehensive design philosophy by utilizing the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design™ in an outdoor play environment where both physical and social inclusion can occur to the greatest extent possible.  Moving beyond minimum accessibility guidelines, this park intentionally addresses the development of the whole child, aligns with evidence-based design principles of the whole environment, and ultimately, benefits the whole community by providing a meaningful destination for individuals of all ages and abilities to play together. A robust and balanced assortment of playground activities can be found to support the physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communicative needs of all children, including those with disabilities.

As a Play On! site Shiloh Park Playground promotes fitness and fun by implementing the Play On! design best practices to intentionally promote physical activity through active play and encourage the developmental progression of skills through healthy movement.  This outdoor play destination incorporates six key elements of play-balancing, brachiating, climbing, spinning, sliding, and swinging to promote fitness opportunities that support national physical education standards and efforts to combat childhood obesity.

Shiloh Park Playground will be listed on the PlayCore National Demonstration Site Map at https://www.playcore.com/nds/map. As a National Demonstration Site, CORE’s Data Service Lab will be working with Zion Park District to provide data translation reports on this site’s contribution to overall Community Vitality. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the research by scanning the QR Code on the National Demonstration Site sign located at Shiloh Park Playground. To learn more about turning research into practice, visit playcore.com/nds.