National Demonstration Site Program

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Go Beyond the Minimums

Led by PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE), the National Demonstration Site (NDS) program recognizes outdoor play spaces that go above and beyond playground standards to ensure people of all ages and abilities can play, connect, and grow together.

Your playground can earn National Demonstration Site status in four distinct areas: Inclusive Play, Youth Physical Activity, Nature Play, and Outdoor Adult Fitness.

When your site is recognized as a National Demonstration Site, it can help your community:

- Build awareness and positive attention for your community,  park, or school

- Attract partners, grants, and other funding opportunities

- Share documented data to help defend your site and future developments as important, health-focused resources for the community.

Real Insights, Real Impact

National Demonstration Site awardees receive a Welcome Kit with marketing tools, details on benefits, and special signage highlighting their leadership in implementing best practices for their communities.

Each sign includes a QR code that makes it easy to collect real-time data about how the playground is used. These insights can help you secure additional funding and clearly demonstrate the socio-economic impact of your space.

To learn whether your upcoming project qualifies for National Demonstration Site status, or to start planning a project, contact your local Play Consultant.

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Join the Movement

Become a National Demonstration Site and lead the way in creating outdoor play environments that model best practices in inclusion, physical activity, nature integration, and adult outdoor fitness.

To help you get started, we’ve developed summary sheets for all four of PlayCore’s National Demonstration Site programs. Download the summaries that best fit your project by selecting from the links below.