Copyright

Anna Beresin

Published On

2026-03-05

Page Range

pp. 133–156

Language

  • English

Print Length

24 pages

100 Languages Spoken Here

The Playground as Sanctuary

  • Anna Beresin (author)
Chapter of: Make/Unmake: Play at the Centre of Culture Change (pp. 133–156)

In this chapter the staff of the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground discuss their complex history of creativity in the face of violence, offering ways to address diversity as celebration. Like the previous two chapters, the key players are passionate about their community and its assets. This section ends with a quote saying that if the process can work there, it can work anywhere.

Contributors

Anna Beresin

(author)
Professor Emerita of Psychology and Folklore at University of the Arts
https://www.annaberesin.com

Anna Beresin is professor emerita of psychology and folklore from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She co-edits the International Journal of Play and researches children’s folklore, primate physical play, language play, and the connection between play, culture and art. Her books include Play in a Covid Frame: Everyday Pandemic Creativity in a Time of Isolation, which she co-edited with Julia Bishop, and Recess Battles: Playing, Fighting, and Storytelling. Both books earned the Opie Prize in Children’s Folklore from the American Folklore Society. Currently working on her first children’s book, Anna can be found at www.annaberesin.com.