As I headed to work and read The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, I realized the importance of play. By the way this is a fantastic book that places human stories on great American sidewalks, housing developments, playgrounds, etc.

Jane Jacobs describes the importance of neighborhood parks in this matter:

"Even the same person comes for a different reason at different times; sometimes to sit tiredly, something to play or to watch a game, sometimes to read or work, sometimes to show off, sometimes to fall in love, sometimes to keep an appointment, sometimes to savor the hustle of the city  from a retreat, sometimes in the hope of finding acquaintances, sometimes to get closer to a bit of nature, sometimes to keep a child occupied, sometimes simple to see what offers, and almost always to be entertained by the sight of other people."

Our playgrounds are a power of symbolism that encompasses a glimpse of life, a renewed breath. If the importance of play continues to diminish, what will replace our picture frames – the snapshots of our children playing in sand or giggling?

I wonder what is stopping you from joining the Playmaker Network, or building with KaBOOM! or getting civically engaged in our communities to save play?

Maybe it’s the lack of belief in play. Well, I am glad I found it today and I hope you will too.

Let me know I’m not the only one.