D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 910
910.1 Play is a universal experience that brings different people together, helps children learn, and promotes better physical and mental health for all residents. When play is thoughtfully designed into the public realm, it creates enriching, whimsical, and memorable public spaces and facilitates interactions and community-building among residents of diverse backgrounds and ages. Before the advent of the automobile, play largely happened on the neighborhood street, in the public square, and in the formal federal and ceremonial public spaces of the District, such as the National Mall. Over time, play slowly receded to private yards and public playgrounds. Today, play largely happens in safety-engineered playgrounds or the unique urban park with a splash fountain or playable sculpture.
910.2 Encouraging play in public spaces requires policies and actions that can address multiple challenges, both physical and regulatory. Structural barriers, such as the infrequent placement of public playgrounds, make it harder for 47 percent of District households to access playgrounds within a quarter-mile of their homes. Inadequate access is reinforced by social behaviors where many kids go to playgrounds only if accompanied by adults. Washington, DC has been addressing the structural challenges through the renovation and creation of more than 40 playgrounds in the last 10 years and the creation of new signature park spaces, such as Canal Park, with interactive, playable elements. The District will work further toward bringing play even closer to residents through a variety of local and small-scale play spaces that are built into the fabric of neighborhoods, streets, and schools.
Create appealing plaza spaces that incorporate play and welcome multiple generations, such as playable fountains, skateboarding facilities, climbable sculptures, chess tables, and other interactive elements. In particular, attention should be paid to elements that can encourage social play and interaction among community members, play between parents and children, and opportunities for engaging teenagers.
Encourage the use of formal public squares and parks as everyday play spaces and explore ways to incorporate design features that encourage play while respecting the park’s design and other purposes when redesigning signature public open spaces.
Encourage the creation of play spaces in or near public and private facilities where people gather and receive services on a routine basis, such as transit stops, community-serving businesses, medical offices, and government facilities.
910.6 Policy UD-2.3.4: Streets and Corners as Play Spaces Create mini-play destinations on neighborhood blocks to bring play closer to where people live and help encourage social interaction between neighbors. Encourage the installation of small-scale play features in landscaped public parking areas or along sidewalks in the tree zone.
910.7 Policy UD-2.3.5: Shared Play Spaces Promote the incorporation of play spaces in the common outdoor areas of new multi-family buildings, with a focus on spaces for less mobile infants and toddlers. Courtyards, terraces, and roofs can serve as outdoor spaces for children's play.
910.8 Action UD-2.3.A: Play Streets Guidelines Develop guidelines for resident and civic organization activation of streets and other public spaces as temporary or permanent safe play spaces and investigate regulatory changes necessary to enable play streets.
910.9 Action UD-2.3.B: Playable Art Complete permanent artistic play structures in small parks, street corners, or civic buildings to pilot the concept of playable streets.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).