Kid-Designed Playground Opens At Suitland Community Center In Prince George's County

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A kid-designed playground has opened to the public in Forestville. Built at the Suitland Community Center in Forestville, the playground was designed by kids in the STEAM-themed summer camp offered at the community center. The playspace, yet-to-be installed multisport court, gaga pit and moonwalk concepts were taken from designs drawn by the campers.

“Suitland Community Center is an important space in this community. Allowing the children and families to design this new play space has created excitement in the neighborhood,” Bill Tyler, director of the M-NCPPC, department of parks and recreation, said. “Additionally, integrating STEAM learning concepts into the playground design is in line with the department’s other programming initiatives and reinforces kids’ learning through play.”

Gaga is a game played in a large fenced-in area or gaga pit that's usually shaped as an octagon or hexagon. The gaga pit usually is filled with smooth dirt, turf, sand or a rubberized surface. The gaga ball can range in size from a foam dodgeball to a rubber kickball.

The kids were thrilled to play a role in creating the very playground they'll be frequenting.

“This amazing experience allowed them to come together, make new friends, share ideas and interact with each other all while creating a new place for play,” Claire Worshtil, M-NCPPC strategic park planner, said. “They are so excited to come back and see their vision come to life.”

Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, one of the playground's supporters, said that the importance of playgrounds, staying active and spending time outdoors became all too clear during the pandemic.

"We know disasters and crises often exacerbate the inequities that communities are already experiencing, and in many communities, kids won’t have a playground to go back to once the COVID-19 crisis is over,” she said. “We must stop the playspace inequities from becoming even deeper after we get through this pandemic, giving every kid the chance to play and just enjoy being a kid.”

Playground project partners are The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, department of parks and recreation, Prince George's County, BGE, Pepco and KABOOM!