Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the accessibility of open space playground and understand the impact of children’s motivation to outdoor play activities. Thus cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma town administration focusing on specific eight Kebeles. Data was collected purposively from Kebele sport committees (n=88) children’s from different sport projects (n=50) and stake holders (n=10), total of 148 respondents through questionnaire’s, focus group discussion and field observation. Based on the above 3 methods qualitative data was analyzed through descriptive narration & descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency table, mean, median and standard deviation graph were employed. In addition to these demographic characteristics were analyzed through mean, median and standard deviation. The result of the study revealed that, due to inaccessibility of open space playground, children’s are confined at home, lack of motivation to outdoor activities, run sedentary life and inclined to media indoor entertainment. The major factors that children alienated from outdoor activities include unplanned development plan, less attention to children outdoor activities intensive construction and population pressure. The information from the finding of the study helps to balance the urban development trends and the chance to children to play open space playground, which can foster strong child outdoor experience
