The U.S. National Park Service is asking the public what changes can be made to improve the National Mall in Washington, DC.  Many Americans who have never visited the Mall still know this place from the news, movies, TV, books, and magazines.  It houses America’s Museums – the dozen or so incredible museums that constitute the Smithsonian – and it is home to reverent well-known monuments. So for the next year Americans can state their opinions about how to “tidy up the vast and grassy park in the center of the nation’s capital.”

How about using some of that vast space on the Mall for a showcase universal design, multi-generational, playground?  It makes perfect sense from a variety of perspectives.  From a very practical point of view, what's a better release than play for kids who are in the midst of spending all day indoors going to museums?  Properly landscaped, what better kind of a place for adults to sit and re-invigorate for the next round of seeing the nation’s shrines?  The Mall, by the way, has never been known for having many places off the ground to just sit and enjoy the outdoors.

The Mall already hosts a lot of playing fields where adults gather to play softball and volleyball and throw frisbees.  Why not have a place for kids, too?  America brings its children to Washington to see the monuments and the museums, so how about making the Mall super kid-friendly in the process – and what better, and more practical way, than putting up a huge playground for those kids to enjoy?

In addition to providing a good place to stretch legs and run around and release some pent-up energy, the symbolism of a playground on the Mall would not be lost.  We are a country that professes the importance of, and our love for, our children.  And what better way to honor our childhood on a national level than with a National Playground? And what better place to put a National Playground than, of course, on the National Mall?

The National Park Service is seeking public comments, and I encourage readers to suggest putting a fully accessible mega-playground on the National Mall.  Once there, you’ll see an invitation to make comments, and click on that to get a series of questions.  Note especially Question 5 – “What programs, activities, educational, and recreational opportunities do you want on the National Mall?”

The National Park Service wants our comments.  Let’s let them know that play is important – important enough even to erect a National Playground on the National Mall.