Think back to your childhood memories. It’s safe to assume that everyone has memories of playing in the park with friends, siblings, and family. Competing with your friends as to who could swing the highest, going down the slide only to race back to the top to do it all over again, attempting to reach the next post on the monkey bar are all fond memories that we hold close to our hearts because it reminds us of a time when we experienced joy and happiness. These feelings however are not as fleeting as we may think; research shows that playgrounds are essential factors in our psychological and social well being. Time spent outside has beneficial effects on our moods, day-to-day effectiveness, cognitive functions, and ultimately better work performances. Playing is not all that goes on in the playground; it sparks our personal growth and development.
Winter’s Park located in Mahwah, NJ has been a peaceful haven for families to bring their children and grandchildren to enjoy the playground, possibly a picnic lunch, or even a stroll to the pond to watch the ducks. Twenty years ago, a group of Mahwah residents established the first Winter’s Park Playground committee. After two decades, Winter’s Park has become well-worn by love, use, and weather. Today, following in the steps of the first Winter’s Park Playground Committee, a group of Mahwah residents have met to discuss the much needed revitalization of Winter’s Park Playground in order to upgrade the play equipment for future generations of children to enjoy.
