Hello

This time, the keyword is children’s right to play, and the focus is on the Maple Leaf Playgrounds that Nexon and MapleStory have been opening on an ongoing basis as part of their social contribution efforts to support that right.

When news of the first opening appeared quite some time ago, I found myself wondering how long the initiative would continue, but it is encouraging to see that the project has already reached its third opening on the back of a positive response, suggesting that it is likely to continue steadily in the years ahead.

Children’s Right to Play

The Maple Leaf Playground is a project designed to help promote children’s right to play.

At its core, this means that children’s desire to run and play freely in large outdoor spaces such as playgrounds and parks should be guaranteed not merely as a recommendation, but as a right, and it is recognized internationally as a concept that is also set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Because the experience of running and playing with others in open spaces during childhood has a significant positive effect on later life, the issue has come to be defined as a right, going beyond the familiar textbook statement that “it is good for children to run and play outside.”

In Korea, childhood play itself is often viewed somewhat negatively, and as a result, children’s average playtime is said to rank near the bottom among OECD countries. It is worth hoping that greater awareness of this issue will lead to more children being able to run and play in healthier ways.

Alongside this issue of perception, the lack of physical spaces where children can run and play has also been identified as one of the underlying causes. The absence of playgrounds, which are among the most representative spaces for outdoor play, or the presence of aging facilities, can only have a negative effect on the promotion of children’s right to play, while also raising safety concerns.

To address these issues, Nexon and MapleStory have been carrying out the Maple Leaf Playground development project since 2024, beginning with the opening of Site No. 1 on December 11, 2024, followed by Site No. 2 on May 8, 2025, and most recently Site No. 3 on April 20, 2026, just a few days ago, continuing the effort on a steady basis.

The Development Process and Significance of Maple Leaf Playground

Maple Leaf Playground No. 1 : Naduli Children’s Playground, Seongnam-dong, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

Maple Leaf Playground No. 2 : Haneulbit Children’s Park, Singok-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do

The main characteristics of Maple Leaf Playground are as follows.

1) Existing aging playgrounds are transformed with new facilities and reorganized to be safer and more functional.

• No. 1 : Naduli Children’s Playground → Maple Leaf Playground No. 1

• No. 2 : Haneulbit Children’s Park → Maple Leaf Playground No. 2

• No. 3 : Seoul Children’s Grand Park → Maple Leaf Playground No. 3

2) During construction, a “Maple Leaf Heroes” group made up of children is formed, and the playground is developed together with children by collecting their feedback several times.

3) By pursuing large-scale playgrounds with wide spaces and a variety of facilities where many children can run and play, the project makes a broader range of activities possible.

Structures at Maple Leaf Playground No. 1

Track at Maple Leaf Playground No. 2

4) The playgrounds use MapleStory-themed designs featuring Pink Bean, Stone Spirit, and Orange Mushroom, which can still appeal to people unfamiliar with MapleStory, while hidden game elements enhance both visual interest and entertainment value. MapleStory BGM is also used to add an auditory dimension.

Thanks to these efforts, satisfaction surveys conducted after the original playgrounds were converted into Maple Leaf Playgrounds showed a notable rise in ratings, and Site No. 2 was also selected as an Excellent Children’s Play Facility by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for 2025.

News of the Opening of Maple Leaf Playground No. 3

Maple Leaf Playground No. 3 : Seoul Children’s Grand Park, 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

Building on this positive response, Maple Leaf Playground No. 3 opened at Seoul Children’s Grand Park on April 20, 2026, just a few days ago. On a site measuring around 750 pyeong, three carefully designed zones were created, each themed around one of the popular mascots known for their charming appearance: Pink Bean, Stone Spirit, and Orange Mushroom.

Image source : Nexon Foundation official Instagram

The site includes a large Pink Bean play structure, five slides, four swings, and five trampolines, providing enough space for many children to play at once. In addition, a Maple Leaf Rest Area has been set up so that guardians can relax while their children play, making it fair to say that the space has become an enjoyable destination worth visiting at least once for both adults and children during May, when the weather has become noticeably nicer, and over the Children’s Day holiday period.

Image source : Nexon Foundation official Instagram

As noted above, this positive impact is also reflected in the favorable results seen in actual evaluations. It is worth hoping that efforts capable of creating this kind of social benefit will continue in the future.

Image source : Nexon Foundation official Instagram

Finally, an event like the one shown above is currently being held on the Nexon Foundation official Instagram, so anyone interested may want to take part before it ends.

Thank you for reading.