Playgrounds for All: Building Connections, Not Just Spaces with Cody Goldberg
Cody Goldberg is a designer and visionary who is redefining what it means to create spaces that connect, inspire, and empower.
As the founder of Harper’s Playground (a nonprofit dedicated to building inclusive playgrounds) Cody has devoted his career to creating spaces where all individuals, regardless of their background or abilities, can play, connect, and thrive together.
Harper’s Playground was born from Cody's personal journey as a father. His daughter, Harper, faced significant physical challenges after birth, and at the age of four, her first independent steps were met with the frustration of being unable to navigate the traditional playground in their neighborhood. This moment of powerlessness sparked a lifelong mission to create spaces that are truly accessible to all. What began as an effort to eliminate wood chips from playgrounds has evolved into a global movement for inclusion, connection, and play.
Under Cody’s leadership, Harper’s Playground has grown from its humble beginnings to complete 19 inclusive playground projects across the United States and globally. These projects are not just playgrounds, they are spaces where children, parents, and communities come together, regardless of physical ability, to experience the joy of connection.
Cody’s approach to design is rooted in empathy, listening, and the belief that everyone deserves to be part of the community.
His work challenges the conventional notions of design by focusing on what truly matters - human connection. Cody is not just a designer, he is a strong advocate for the transformative power of play, and strongly believes that play is essential to our emotional, social, and physical well-being.
Through his work, he is bringing play back into the world, showing that it is not just a tool for development but a source of resilience, joy, and connection.
Cody’s dedication to play and inclusion is rooted in a simple, yet powerful belief - when we create spaces that allow everyone to participate, we all benefit.
Key Takeaways
1. Design for Connection, Not Just Function - True inclusivity starts with the intent to connect people, not just create functional spaces. Design with everyone in mind, and the rest will follow.
2. The Power of Play - Play is essential for emotional, physical, and social development. It's more than just fun and it’s a crucial tool for building resilience and connection.
3. Inclusivity Benefits All - Designing for inclusion isn’t a sacrifice, but is an opportunity to create spaces that benefit everyone, making our communities stronger and more vibrant.
4. Empathy Drives Great Design - Ask the right questions and listen with empathy. Designing spaces with a deep understanding of different needs leads to better, more adaptable spaces for all.
5. Build for Spontaneity - Great spaces invite spontaneous connections. It’s not about planning every interaction but creating environments where connections can naturally happen.
6. Inclusion is a Movement, Not a Trend - Inclusion isn’t an add-on; it’s the foundation of great design. Lead with inclusivity, and watch as it transforms both spaces and lives.
Quotes.
1. "When we design for connection, we’re not just designing spaces; we’re designing opportunities for people to truly belong."
2. "Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a powerful tool for building resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to face life’s challenges with joy."
3. "Inclusion isn’t an add-on to design, it should be the very core of it. When we lead with inclusivity, we create spaces that benefit everyone."
4. "The smallest details in design make the biggest difference. It’s not about creating something flashy. it’s about making spaces where everyone can feel seen and valued."
Connect with Cody
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-cody-qj-goldberg-a879343/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/codygold22/?hl=en
Website - https://www.harpersplayground.org/