Free play was seen as having little value. Recreational land was single purpose, like football ovals, or unadorned open spaces used for adult-led activities. Children's physical activity was limited to competitive sports, which discouraged those less able. The first play equipment reflected this, with single purpose galvanised pipe structures set apart from each other and from the rest of the park. They were designed not to interact with each other, rather to elicit specific physical movements.
Multifunctional structures allow for more developmental exercise and social interaction.
However, some studies indicate that children find streets and backyards more interesting than playgrounds. It may be children are interested in the same environments as adults and so rather than segregating children's spaces, adult spaces could be made more accessible to children. Small, centred around the home, in view of parent. 450 - 1000 m path length. One survey indicated that although individual girls may roam as far as boys, in general fewer girls played away from home.