The study explores how the implementation of seniors’ outdoor equipment in public spaces possibly contributes to the quality of life in older adults who live in urban neighbourhoods. This study critically assesses the discourses that surround the implementation of seniors’ outdoor equipment by generating an understanding of what constitutes urban ageing-well. This comprehension builds further on the domains that the World Health Organization (2007) distinguishes as essential for quality of life in older adults – a person’s physical health, psychological state, independence level, social relationships, personal beliefs, and relationship to the surrounding environment – and emphasizes the importance of playful behaviour and social capital for human development throughout the life-course. These aspects are looked at in an international case-study that features ‘the seniors’ sports playground’ in Hillesluis, Feijenoord (°2005, NL) and ‘the movement park for seniors’ in Sint-Truiden (°2008, BE). It appears then that the spatial implementation of seniors’ outdoor equipment does not meet its intended effects. This shows that a comprehensive exercise program should accompany the spatial implementation to be able to live up to the presumed benefits on the physical and mental well-being of older adults. This research fills thus a knowledge gap identified in the field of gerontology and gives attention to the fact that in spite of the recent boom of initiatives labelled ‘age-friendly’, there should be enough focus on the actual functioning of these projects.