Summary of Senda's Play Structure pp. 11-43

In Play Structure, Senda begins by explaining that play structures, such as jungle gyms and other play equipment, are only a small part of a child's overall play environment. After clarifying his definition of the play environment, Senda then breaks a child's play environment down into four elements; a place to play, time to play, friends to play with, and methods of play. Senda then breaks the play space into six distinct types; nature space, open space, street space, anarchy space, hideout space, and a play structure space. Senda then expresses a desire to see more nature spaces in cities as play spaces.

Expanding on the play structure space, Senda goes on to describe the developmental stages of play with equipment; first a "functional play" stage, followed by a "technical play" stage, and ending with a "social play" stage. Senda also notes the challenges with designing for each stage.

Senda concludes by outlining the major types of play behavior with play equipment: resting, challenging, thrill play, and game play.