A Call for More Organic Recess and Playgrounds in Washoe County

While recess and shaded structures were on everyone’s minds at this week’s Washoe County School Board meeting, with related puns from the mouths of many trustees, and a ban on new swings dating from 1999 unanimously revoked, one of the public speakers Zoe Bray, an artist, educator, parent and local thought leader went much more organic than most, lamenting how too often trees are slashed when creating new school playgrounds, and outdoor time for our kids fails to include enough interactions with natural environments.

“Children need access to spaces that feel alive, engaging and connected to the natural world rather than dominated by dead surfaces,” she said calling for more unstructured play in natural settings. “Trees for shade, natural landscapes and herbicide free grass should be the standard not the exception," she continued.

Bray said observing insects and helping with outdoor maintenance such as pulling weeds were examples to foster this type of essential curiosity and learning.

“When children explore, imagine and problem solve outdoors they develop critical thinking, creativity, resilience and social awareness,” Bray explained bemoaning ongoing trends toward reduced recess times on asphalt or DG.

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