Age-friendly planning and play: the Study of Older Adult Play Spaces (SOAPS) observation tool

Maxwell Hartt and Marley Gryfe

Planning Practice & Research, 2025, vol. 40, issue 1, 24-40

Abstract: The Study of Older Adult Play Spaces (SOAPS) observation tool assesses the environmental quality of public space for supporting older adult play. Naturalistic observations were conducted using the SOAPS tool at three play spaces in an age-restricted community in Florida, USA. We found that the most effective play spaces have opportunity for structured, cooperative, rule-based play with flexible surrounding space that allows users to adapt it to their own desires. Integrating these overarching design principles allows space for creativity and bespoke focused use, sedentary and vigorous physical activity, individualized and group socialization, and impromptu as well as organized activity.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/02697459.2024.2404744

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