Young people nowadays have a lot of choice when it comes to leisure activities, but outdoor space can play a much larger role in this than is often the case now. Traditional playgrounds with a slide and a swing hardly appeal to teenagers, and that is understandable. Fortunately, there are increasingly more outdoor sports facilities that truly challenge young people and are simultaneously suitable for multiple age groups. In this article, we list the five most original playgrounds for youth, so that you, as a municipality or recreation park, can make a good choice.
Why young people deserve different playgrounds
Young people do not get enough exercise. That is nothing new, but it remains a challenge that municipalities and recreation parks can actively address. The only question is: which facility truly gets young people outdoors? The answer does not lie in more of the same, but in playgrounds that align with what young people enjoy: challenge, freedom, social interaction, and a touch of street culture.
The best outdoor sports facilities They are accessible enough for young people to welcome everyone, but challenging enough to keep coming back. They encourage physical activity without being compulsory, and that is exactly what works. Below you will find five facilities that achieve this.
1: The asphalt pump track for all ages
Create a asphalt pump track It is a closed course of hills and curves that you ride without pedaling, relying purely on strength and balance. That sounds technical, but it is surprisingly quick to learn and incredibly addictive. It is precisely that combination that makes it so popular among young people.
What sets a pump track apart from other facilities is its wide range. Toddlers on balance bikes, teenagers on BMX bikes, adults on mountain bikes, and seniors on e-bikes can all use the same track. The facility is also suitable for skateboards, scooters, and inline skates. That makes it one of the most versatile. outdoor sports facilities that you can install on a relatively small surface area.
It is also practical for municipalities: an asphalt pump track has a long lifespan, low maintenance costs, and meets legal safety requirements. Would you like to see what is possible in practice? View our completed projects for concrete examples from across the Netherlands.
2: Calisthenics and street workout parks
Calisthenics is a form of strength training in which you use your own body weight as resistance. Think of pull-ups, dips, muscle-ups, and handstands. Street workout parks provide the infrastructure for this in public spaces, and they have rapidly become popular among young people aged 14 to 30.
The appeal lies in the social aspect: you train together, learn from each other, and show what you can do. This fits well with the street culture that attracts many young people. A well-designed street workout park requires relatively little space and has a recognizable appearance that suits urban environments. Municipalities are increasingly utilizing this type of facility as a supplement to existing sports infrastructure.
3: Multisport courts with varying disciplines
A multi-sport court is an enclosed field where multiple sports can be played: basketball, football, tennis, volleyball, and sometimes even padel. Smart line markings and movable elements make it easy to switch between sports. This makes such a court flexibly usable for various ages and groups.
What makes multi-sport courts interesting for young people is the social dynamic. You don't need to come with an organized team; a spontaneous game of basketball or street football is enough. Municipalities looking to make optimal use of scarce land benefit from the versatility of this type of facility. It is also a good addition to a pump track or street workout park if you want to create a complete sports zone.
4: Skate plazas inspired by urban environments
A skate plaza is different from a traditional skatepark. Instead of a combination of individual obstacles in a concrete bowl, a skate plaza mimics an urban environment: stairs, railings, benches, raised platforms, and floor patterns that invite creative use. The design is inspired by how skaters use the city.
Skate plazas appeal to a broad group of young people, including those who do not necessarily skate but simply hang out and seek out the atmosphere. The facility has a strong visual identity and is increasingly being utilized by municipalities as part of broader redesigns of squares and park areas. The disadvantage compared to a pump track is that the reach of the target group is more limited: skate plazas are less accessible to very young children or the elderly.
5: Adventurous climbing and balancing routes
Climbing structures and balance courses are not just for toddlers. Modern versions are designed for children and young people up to their teenage years, featuring higher structures, longer routes, and more challenge. Think of climbing nets, high walkways, balance beams, and ziplines that together form an adventurous course.
The major advantage of this type of facility is the low barrier to entry: you do not need a vehicle or equipment; you simply use your own body. This makes it accessible to a broad target group. For recreation parks and campsites, this is a popular choice because it offers a clear experiential value that attracts guests and retains them longer.
Which playground suits your municipality or park?
A outdoor sports facility It depends on a number of factors: the available space, the budget, the target audience you want to reach, and the existing facilities in the area. Below you will find a brief overview to help you make your choice.
| Provision | Best for | Target audience | Space use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt pump track | Wide range, all ages | 2 to 60+ years | Compact to large |
| Calisthenics park | Young people and young adults | 12 to 35 years | Small |
| Multisport court | Team sport and social activity | 8 to 40 years | Medium size |
| Skate plaza | Urban environment, street culture | 10 to 30 years | Medium to large |
| Climbing and balancing route | Recreation parks, experience | 4 to 16 years | Variable |
If you want a single facility that reaches as many people as possible, from young children to adults, an asphalt pump track scores highest on almost all criteria. However, the best choice always depends on your specific situation and the people you want to reach.
How Velosolutions helps choose the right outdoor sports equipment
We at Velosolutions specialize in designing, building, and maintaining asphalt pump tracks that are accessible to everyone. We guide municipalities and recreation parks from the initial consultation to completion and the annual inspection. This is what we offer:
- Custom design that aligns with the available space and the budget
- Fully certified according to WAS legislation and NEN-EN 14974, including certificate
- 5 year warranty and a lifespan of 8 to 12 years
- Annual maintenance to keep the pump track in top condition
- More than 100 pump tracks realized in the Netherlands, with concrete references
Read more about us and discover how we have been helping municipalities and recreation parks with high-quality sports facilities for over ten years. Would you like to know what a pump track can mean for your municipality or park? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
