Privatization of play: Opening gated playgrounds improves access but deepens inequalities

Play environments are crucial for children's healthy development and growth. Childhood physical activities often occur in local environments, such as parks, schoolyards, and playgrounds, emphasizing the need for well-designed, accessible play spaces that consider children's age and physical conditions. However, the prevalence of gated communities in South Korea has led to the privatization of playgrounds, resulting in unequal play opportunities based on socioeconomic status. This study explores the relationship between regional socioeconomic deprivation and playground accessibility and diversity, critical factors for fostering children's physical activity. It also examines the impact of opening playgrounds in residential complexes for public use on regional play opportunities. Spatial and regression analyses were conducted across 250 administrative units in South Korea, including a total of 76,476 playgrounds across the country. Our finding indicated that higher socioeconomic deprivation correlates with poorer playground accessibility and diversity. While opening residential playgrounds improved overall accessibility, it also intensified regional disparities, as private playgrounds amplify inequalities in physical activity opportunities. These findings underline the need to address inequality by establishing public playgrounds with diverse designs in marginalized areas, ensuring universal welfare in children's play environments. Delegating children's play opportunities to the private sector has deepened social inequalities, even though these opportunities should ideally be universally accessible. Therefore, public initiatives to establish playgrounds with diverse spatial designs in marginalized areas are essential to mitigate inequities. These findings underscore the need for balanced policy measures that address both public and private responsibilities in providing equitable play facilities. • Opening Playgrounds in gated communities boosts accessibility and diversity. • Opening gated complexes may widen the play gaps between deprived and non-deprived areas. • Reliance on private playgrounds deepens regional inequalities in play opportunities. • Children's right to play should be a welfare, not left to the private sector. • Public efforts are needed to develop diverse playgrounds in marginalized areas.