It’s easy for kids and families to get outside in Boston

by Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland

Boston claimed the most splashpads per 100,000 children, meaning plenty of summer fun in the sun for local kids.

There’s lots to love about living in Boston, like safety, quality health outcomes and ample public transit options. And, as the weather warms up, residents can add another benefit to the long list — playability. Boston is the best city in the U.S. for outdoor play, according to a new study from ProCare.

The therapy company ranked the most populous U.S. cities based on walkability and access to parks, playgrounds, skate parks and splashpads using data from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.

Boston ranked No. 1, followed by Sacramento, Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon. Beantown’s walkable infrastructure helped boost its score. Plus, the city claimed the most splashpads per 100,000 children, meaning plenty of summer fun in the sun for Boston’s kids.

“Play is one of the most natural and important ways children learn,” says Meagan Weldon, former RBT and director of educational resources at ProCare. “It supports problem-solving, emotional regulation, communication, motor development and social confidence all at once. When children have safe, accessible places to play, they are building skills that support their growth well beyond childhood.”

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