Bright futures begin on the playground.
The Marian Coco Foundation champions safe outdoor play spaces for children and families. Because when our kids shine, our community thrives.
Marian Coco
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Outdoor play isn’t just fun. It’s foundational.
The research is clear—children who have regular access to safe outdoor play are healthier, happier, and better equipped to learn and grow across all areas of life.
Physical
Children who play outdoors get 27% more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than those who don’t, building stronger muscles, better coordination, and the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.
Social
Where kids play shapes how they play together. Green spaces bring out cooperation, language, and creativity, while traditional playgrounds tend to spark healthy competition.
Emotional
Active outdoor play has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in children. Just 20 minutes of free play in a green space can improve focus and emotional regulation.
Cognitive
Children exposed to green spaces from an early age show stronger brain development, better self-regulation, and cognitive benefits that compound over time.
Creative
Children who play freely in open spaces develop stronger problem-solving skills, richer creative thinking, and a greater sense of confidence in their own ideas.
Sources: UNICEF, UNICEF, NIH, NIH, Educational Psychology Review
Still, access to play isn’t equal.
Too many shared play spaces are aging, underfunded, and at worst, unsafe. When we invest in where kids play throughout our city, we strengthen neighborhoods and improve the long-term health of our community.
We promote safe play across Buffalo in three key ways:
Build
We fund physical improvements to outdoor play spaces. Shade structures, splash pads, safety fencing, playground renovations—it’s all fair game.
Educate
We promote safe play habits with free resources, guides, and community programming that help kids stay healthy and active outdoors.
Empower
Through scholarships and partnerships, we help all children in Buffalo access fun and foundational outdoor experiences, like swim lessons and summer camps.
We play well with others.
A big thank you to our community partners for helping create something lasting for our kids.

Are you also interested in teaming up? We’d love to hear from you.
Let us know at info@mariancoco.com.
More play-full materials and data to dig into.
By contributing to play spaces today, you’ll help build a better tomorrow for every child in our city.
Get Involved
Ground Breaker
Like recess, but better. Get outside and volunteer time to help build, maintain, and champion safe play spaces across all of our neighborhoods.
Donate Funds
Good Neighbor
Whether you live here or not, consider yourself a true-blue Buffalonian. Your financial gift directly funds play spaces and programs throughout Buffalo.
Major Gift
Game Changer
Olly olly oxen free! You like to think big about how to give, whether with a custom gift, in-kind support, or a tailored initiative. We’re here for that.
Buffalo’s future is as bright as its kids.
Let’s give them great childhoods and watch them soar.
info@mariancoco.com
phone number
address here
Marian Coco Foundation, Inc. (41-5304923) is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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