Live / The Science of Sound: Music Play in Communities, Parks, and Playgrounds

Includes a Live Web Event on 12/16/2026 at 2:00 PM (EST)

Sound is one of the most influential yet underutilized elements in public space design. As landscape architects seek to create environments that engage the senses and foster meaningful community experiences, intentional soundscape design offers new opportunities to influence behavior, encourage social interaction, and enhance overall site performance. Drawing from a nationwide observational study of 60 playgrounds and a targeted intervention in a shared educational environment, this session examines measurable outcomes associated with musical installations and sound-based experiences, including increased social interaction, multigenerational engagement, and sustained physical activity. Through research findings and real-world case studies—including applications in inclusive environments serving children with hearing loss—participants will explore how sound functions alongside sight, touch, and movement to shape user experiences. Attendees will gain practical, data-informed strategies for integrating soundscape design into public spaces, creating cohesive, inclusive, and outcome-driven environments that move beyond ad hoc placement toward intentional design.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify at least three social and health benefits of incorporating musical play into public environments.
Evaluate research findings on the use and impact of musical play environments, including effects on social interaction, multigenerational play, and physical activity.
Analyze how design strategies influence user behavior and experience using real-world and case-based examples.
Apply data-informed design principles to create cohesive, evidence-based musical environments in public spaces.

Dr. Kimberly Clevenger, PhD, MPH

Director of Research and Resources and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science

PlayCore and Utah State University

Dr. Kimberly Clevenger, PhD, MPH is PlayCore’s Director of Research and Resources and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science at Utah State University, where she leads research on promoting and measuring children’s physical activity. Her research explores how built environments—like schoolyards and classrooms—influence free-play, specifically how play behaviors vary across time and space. With a PhD in Kinesiology from Michigan State University, an MPH in Quantitative Methods from Harvard, and postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute, she brings a rich interdisciplinary foundation to her work.

Mary Anderson

Co-founder My Mustic Start Here/Teacher/Ukulele Enthusiast

Mary Anderson received her master's degree in music education from Boston University and is an experienced early childhood educator, musician, and performer.

Mary's work centers around the intersection of early childhood brain development and the magic that happens when we participate in musical learning, exploration, and play together. As Founding Director of My Music Starts Here, Mary engages, supports, and inspires early childhood educators to harness the power of music in their classrooms to nourish their students' growth and development and foster a healthy classroom community where all children can thrive.

Mary is the producer and host of "Songs and Stories" for Virginia PBS and will release her first book in partnership with Gryphon House Publishers in 2027.

Mary lives in Virginia with her family and envisions a world in which every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired by the power of music.

This session will offer the following credits:


0.1 IACET CEU	1.0 AIA LU	1.0 LA CES PDH

CEUs for a total of 1.0 Professional Development Hours (0.1 IACET CEU / 1.0 AIA LU / 1.0 LA CES PDH) will be provided to learners meeting the following requirements:

Be present for 95% of the duration of the learning event;
Participate in activities and discussion throughout;
Complete assessment with 80% mastery of learning outcome;
Complete feedback/evaluation survey.

CEUs can be applied toward NRPA CPRP/CPRE renewal. To obtain your CEU, please visit the "Event Details" tab above to complete the associated components for this event.

Instructor(s) Disclosures:

The instructors of this training webinar are employed by PlayCore and disclose an interest in attendees partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.

Speakers Disclosures:

The opinions of the speakers in these events do not necessarily reflect the views of PlayCore and its brands.

Notes:

For any questions or to request a copy of the written transcript for this session, please contact [email protected]

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