Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is unveiling its new Kids Play Area today. The previous play area, known as Kidsport, was one of the first airport spaces designed for children when it opened in 1983. The decision to move it closer to the center of the terminal and expand its footprint by about 30 percent provided PIT’s Experience and Design team the opportunity to reshape the space with a focus on universal access, creating environments that are comfortable, convenient and welcoming to all. It was constructed by members of PIT’s Field and Facilities Maintenance teams.
Siri Betts-Sonstegard explained that the airport conducted extensive research to understand the needs of families traveling with children and used that research to thoughtfully design the Kids Play Area to meet those needs and reduce barriers for travelers.
PIT has the distinction of being the first airport or transportation center to receive the innovative solutions for Universal Design certification (isUD) from the University at Buffalo’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center).
“We wanted to not just move the physical space but actually think about what is the service we are providing to passengers traveling with children. What are their needs? What is our opportunity to serve them?” said Betts-Sonstegard, senior vice president of Experience and Design.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh collaborated on the new space, just as it did with previous versions of the play area.
The space offers plenty of opportunities for play, including the SPUN Chair, which allows kids (and adventurous parents) to twirl around, to the WillyGoat Climbing Mound. There is even a custom “runway” rug that encourages kids to take off and burn off energy. Children’s Museum exhibit designers Nick McClintock and Toby Fraley helped develop two custom pieces for the Kids Play Area: scenic wallpaper with aviation themes and an interactive art installation with the moon and stars.
The Kids Play Area is part of the overall goal of the Experience and Design Team to make travel easier, calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.
“Not a lot of people know this, but Presley’s Place was designed for children with sensory issues, but also for any child who is having a meltdown. It is a place to take them to chill out and calm down. So now we have these two spaces that serve different needs: Kids Play Area to get ‘the wiggles’ out and the sensory room with reduced stressors and stimuli to chill and calm down,” Betts-Sonstegard said.
