In April, the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands hosted the US Play Coalition’s 2025 National Conference on the Value of Play, themed “Create, Explore, Inspire!”. Drawing nearly 300 attendees from around the world over three days April 15-17, the event celebrated play for its ability to fuel creativity, encourage exploration, and inspire individuals and communities—of all ages, all abilities, and across the lifespan.
The conference brought together a vibrant mix of play researchers, educators, health professionals, park and recreation leaders, landscape architects, designers, planners, psychologists, physicians, and parents. Highlights of the event included keynote presentations, a research symposium, a public library forum, educational sessions for practitioners, an outdoor track, networking events, play breaks, and evening socials.
Keynote speakers included Cas Holman, who is an internationally recognized toy designer of the Rigamajig and founder of Heroes Will Rise. Cas is also known for her work fostering creativity through open-ended play. Rick Erwin, Creative Director & Curator of City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, presented the Wednesday keynote. The City Museum is an eclectic, interactive playground for all ages, featuring repurposed architectural and industrial objects transformed into tunnels, slides, sculptures, and climbing structures across multiple whimsical floors. It has been ranked one of the "Top 50 Greatest Places in the World for Kids."
