The play environment influences child behavior, but the strength of this influence and its variation across playground zones remain unknown. These questions are addressed by an observational study of child behavior in ten contemporary public playgrounds which includes play zone identification, on-site observations, statistical evaluation of zone playability/sociability and analysis of correlations between feature categories and play zone ratings. The results indicate that selected feature categories can determine a playground's playability and sociability, the strength of a feature's influence varies by playground zone type, there are two key features which increase zone type potential (supplementary features and alignment of playground zoning with the natural sequence of play development), and factors determine defunct zones (redundancy/duplication, functional or visual isolation and lack of loop activity). Thus, contemporary playgrounds can have strong play and social potential, and the existence of specific features affects a playground's potential regardless of its type. •The contemporary playground does not have to lack playability and sociability.•The selected feature categories can determine a playground's playability and sociability.•The strength of a feature's influence varies by playground zone type.•The supplementary features and the alignment of playground zoning with a sequence of play increase the potential.•There are factors determining defunct zones: redundancy/duplication, functional/visual isolation and lack of loop activity.