"Playworker" is the name used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere for professionals trained to facilitate play with children in adventure playgrounds and other settings. They do not lead the children in play but encourage and support it. They also do risk assessments to give children maximum freedom in their play within bounds of safety. The Alliance is working with Penny Wilson, an experienced playworker from London; Roger Hart, a professor in the Department of Environmental Psychology at the City University of New York and a strong advocate for playwork; the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College; and others to introduce playwork in parks, zoos, children’s museums, and other venues. Workshops are being held in New York, Chicago, and other cities as a first step in the creation of a playwork training course in the U.S

A meeting was held in New York City in May 2006 with about 20 individuals deeply interested in playwork. See the New York report.

Two training sessions have been held at the Park District of Franklin Park, Illinois, near Chicago. See the Chicago report.

See resources on play for organizations and leading individuals in the field of play and playwork.