Where everything begins: Children's play spaces vanished.
Back in 2015, a group of mothers noticed that the iconic stone slides were being dismantled, and parks were being filled with standardized plastic play structures. While appearing safe, these playgrounds lacked appeal for children over five years old.
So the mothers decided to take matters into their own hands
and launched a revolution to create the most fun playgrounds across Taiwan!
We surveyed playgrounds, attended park renovation briefings, stayed up late studying design plans, took regulatory courses on weekends, and carefully nurtured each new playground into existence. Opening up the parks, observing children's reactions, the Public Parks for Children Coalition is not just a petitioner, but a group aiming to assist in making things better together.
Park renovation is just the start;
PPFCC keeps building cities where kids can play freely.
After years of effort, we've contributed to renovating over 400 park playgrounds across Taiwan, taking the first step in playground renovation!
Moving forward, we will continue advocating for children's play rights from various angles, speaking up for kids through action.
Unveiling the Multiverse of Parks
Not just limiting to generic designs, we continue to advocate for diverse park experiences. From nature play areas to parkour, pump tracks, traffic-themed parks, water play, and adventure playgrounds, we aim to enrich children's experiences across Taiwan. By diversifying park designs, we enhance the quality of childhood for all, fostering a more child-friendly environment in our everyday spaces.
Reimagining Public Play Spaces
"Let Children Free Play" still requires ample space. In recent years, the Special Public League has been advocating for a return to street games and seeking suitable locations for constructing water-friendly facilities, rethinking the relationship between public spaces and their users. The goal is to restore the freedom for children to run and play in the city.
Civic Spirit Cultural Inheritance
The changes in playgrounds across Taiwan are attributed to many designers and public servants who are willing to embrace new ideas, gradually changing the culture. However, with each change in mayor, department head, or staff, experiences may not always be passed down. It's important for us to communicate again to ensure that children's right to play is truly implemented in every corner of Taiwan.
Children become the protagonists of play.
Our vision is for children to be at the center of play, where they become the protagonists. We aspire to witness the day when children confidently express their opinions, Taiwan's local design and DIY culture lead globally, and the government establishes optimal citizen participation mechanisms. On that day, Taiwan will no longer require organizations like ours.
Organization Members
PPFCC (特公盟) was officially registered as a non-profit organization in 2017. Despite financial constraints and the lack of a fixed office, members voluntarily take on responsibilities and dedicate their efforts to promoting the value of children's play rights. In addition to the core action team members, we also extend our gratitude to all local mothers and team partners, as each one is an indispensable part of the Special Public Alliance.
Milestones
2015.11.27
Launch a petition at Taipei City Hall for unique children's playgrounds.
2016.9
First international exchange! New Zealand landscape architect Catherine Hamilton shares practical methods for child participation.
2016.12.20
Taiwan's first child-participation-designed playground inaugurated at Rongxing Garden (榮星花園).
2017
Action brings change; Taipei City announces the establishment of 8 inclusive playgrounds.
2017.1
Expanding influence, actively petitioning the Mayor of New Taipei City.
2017.5
Exchange ideas with Japanese landscape architect Ryo Yamazaki (山崎亮)! Implementation of "King of Play (遊戲孩子王)" concept and community participation practices.
2017.12
"Taiwan Parks & Playgrounds for Children by Children (PPFCC)" established.
2017.11
Awarded "La Vie 2017 Taiwan Creative Power 100 (La Vie 2017 台灣創意力 100)" Best Social Practice Award.
2018.1
Taiwan's first! Participated in the 2018 Taipei City Children's Playground Seminar.
2018.4
Beyond Taipei! New Taipei City's handmade child-participation-designed playground, Sanxialongxue Park (龍學公園) Beetle Playground inaugurated.
2018.8
First international media coverage! Bloomberg CityLab's Playground Revolution, Taiwan keeps up.
2018.11
Published a voting guide ("支持兒童遊戲權的候選人投票指南") for mayors and councilors of the six major cities supporting children's right to play.
2018.12
Promoting the "Children Return to Street Play (兒童重返街道遊戲)" fundraising campaign, broadening the issue.
2019.1.2
Featured on British Broadcasting BBC, gaining international attention.
2019.3.30
Hosted Taiwan's first street closure street play in front of Taipei City Hall.
2019.6
Taiwan's community building book "Reconstructing Together: Urban Symbiosis (反造再起：城市共生 ing)," PPFCC is one of the 12 cases.
2019.6
First international publication! "City at Eye Level for Kids," featuring two cases from Taiwan.
2019.9.10
Taipei City issued the first national "Child Street Play Activity Execution Review Plan (兒童街道遊戲活動執行審核計畫)."
2019.10
Continued international presence! Participated in the Child Friendly Cities European Union International Seminar.
2020.5
Taiwan's gaming achievements presented! Main speaker at the World Metropolitan Parks online forum (世界都會公園大會線上論壇).
2020.12
Published "Park Play Power (公園遊戲力)," revolutionizing children's playgrounds across Taiwan.
2021.10
PPFCC's first public fundraising – "Only by playing enough can children grow well (玩得夠，才能好好長大)" project.
2021.12
Awarded by CP Yen Foundation the third Dialogue Impact Award with gold medal
2022.3
First collaboration with Hong Kong's Playright (香港智樂) to co-author "Engaging Children and Community in Play Space Development (兒童參與實作工作手冊)" handbook.
2022.10
Pushed mayoral and councilor candidates to sign the "Sustainable Play City for Children (許兒童一個永續的遊戲城市)" policy pledge.
2023.6
Invited to participate in the International Play Association (IPA) 2023 Global Conference.
2023.10
Co-hosted the "New Taipei Play Landscape International Forum," invitingMONSTRUM 's CEO and Creative Director.
2023.11
First invitation for children to jointly propose Taiwan's first exclusive "Children's Play Manifesto (兒童遊戲宣言)."