July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and countless Americans will enjoy taking their children to neighborhood playgrounds for fun outdoor activities this summer. In fact, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition recommends playing outside with your children as a top way to set a positive example for a healthy lifestyle.

Across the Chicago area, several home building companies have taken note and are debuting new playgrounds this summer.

"Today's busy families want to live near a variety of recreation options, including playgrounds for their younger children," said Bob Meyn, spokesman for Talamore, a master-planned development in Huntley. "So it's only logical that builders start incorporating new playground designs and locations to bolster kids' exercise and make playtime easier to schedule."