Children’s Hospital Celebrates Playground Rejuvenation

by Lisa Reisman

A quiet swing on a swing set. A game of hopscotch. H-O-R-S-E. It all sounds simple, and it is. Its impact, though, can be profound, particularly for a young person who’s struggling.

That was the message at a ribbon cutting of the re-imagined behavioral health playground on a rainy Thursday morning at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

“Physical space, being outside, is really important for children’s mental health,” YNHCH Chief of Child Psychiatry Linda Mayes told a group of 35 assembled near a kindly-looking deer and bear on vibrant panels. “We can provide a lot of treatment, but this is an essential toolkit for us.”

Four square? Hop scotch? Maybe a swing? The new behavioral health playground at Yale New Haven Childrens’ Hospital. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo

The Children’s Psychiatric Inpatient Service is a 16-bed inpatient hospital for children ages four to 14 that serves as an intensive care unit for pediatric mental health crises. It provides a highly structured, safe, and supportive milieu, combining the pediatric resources of YNHH with the experts at the Yale Child Study Center.

Beth Heinz, YNHH senior vice president for women’s and children’s services, said the 20-year-old bi-level playground space — which is enclosed on two sides by the Winchester and Hunter buildings — needed an infusion of energy and purpose.

“It wasn’t great for all ages,” she said. “So it was very intentional to design a space appropriate for very young kids and also older kids, where you can choose to be active, playing basketball or another of the games on the lower level, or quiet, on the swings.”

She thanked the Friends of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, a volunteer organization that has as its mission to improve the health and well-being of pediatric patients. The Friends, led by co-presidents Mark Potocsny and Karen Sinclari, raised $140,000 for the project.

Mayes, also the director of the Yale Child Study Center, likewise acknowledged the support of the Friends of YNHCH, calling it crucial. “The mental health needs for children are increasing across the area,” she said. “This is one of the places in the state where we provide integrated care, physical and mental health together.”

She pointed out the playground’s biophilic color palette — emulating the hues and calming effects of the natural world — affording a sense of harmony and well-being. “The swing, too, which is a very rhythmic activity that even adults like to be involved with,” she said. “But it’s a safe activity, a restful one. A child can be up there if they want that. They can be down on the lower level if they want to be more active.”

Bear sighting (with curious raccoon) on York Street. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo

Heinz sounded a similar refrain. “This is a place for the children in our care to move, play, and reset,” she said, highlighting the contributions of the hospital’s facilities team, particularly executive director Mario Vieira, in making the design a reality, and Andres Martin, medical director of the children’s psychiatric inpatient service, and his team in selecting the appropriate equipment.

“That might mean swinging to calm their bodies, climbing to build confidence, or simply getting fresh air between groups and appointments,” she went on. “All that can add up to reinforcing the skills these kids are learning and strengthening their ability to cope outside the hospital.”