Playgrounds

1
Playgrounds

• Chapter 14

2
Playgrounds
3
What is a Playground?

• Playgrounds are designated areas where stationary
  and manipulative play equipment is located to
  facilitate a childs physical, emotional, social,
  and intellectual development.

4
What is CPSC?

• First published in 1981.
• Revised in 1991, 1994,1997, and 2005.
• Considered the outline of the Professional
  standard of care for public playgrounds

5
What is ASTM?

• American Society for Testing and Materials.
• Standard 1487
• Standard 1292
• Standards speak to the specifications that
  manufacturers follow in producing playground
  equipment and surfacing.

6
Four General Planning Considerations
S.A.F.E. Model Developed by the National Program
for Playground Safety
7
Supervision Design Characteristics
Placement of signs
Separation of Equipment
Planning for Supervision
Open Sight Lines
Zones for Play
8
Age-Appropriate Design Considerations

• Selection of correct size of equipment.
• Developmental Needs
• Physical layout of equipment supporting positive
  play activities.

Equipment designed for ages 2-5
Equipment designed for ages 5-12
9
Considerations for Proper Surfacing

• Adequate Fall Protection
• Accessibility
• Management Requirements
• Costs

Adequate Fall Surfacing must be placed under and
around all playground equipment to cushion
childrens falls. Is this play surface
appropriate?
10
S.A.F.E. Surfacing Decision-Making Model
11
Equipment Maintenance Considerations

• Preplanning
• Materials
• Inspection
• Maintenance
• Environment

Open S-hooks can entangle childrens clothing and
strings presenting the possibility of injury.
12
Specific Planning Steps

• Site Analysis
• Preliminary Design
• Equipment and Material Selection
• Final Design

13
Site Analysis
Utilities Roads Use Zones Land Use Access Others
Soils and geology Drainage Topography Vegetation O
thers
Visibility/Security Crossings Water Mixed Use
Zones
14
Preliminary Design

• Activity Information
• User Characteristics
• Site Space requirements
• Support factors

15
Equipment and Material Selection

• Product Compliance
• Product Materials
• Purchasing Factors

There should be no animal swings on public use
playgrounds
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Installation

• Planning of the installation process
• Actual installation of equipment
• Liability Issues

17
On-Going Maintenance, Repair and Inspections

• Inspections
• Record Keeping

18
SAFE Playgrounds

• Supervision
• Age Appropriate
• Falling
• Equipment

19
General Planning Considerations

• Supervision Design Considerations
• Age Separation
• Sight Lines
• Zones for Play

20
Age-Appropriate Design Considerations

• Correct Size
• Developmental Characteristics
• Physical Layout

21
Considerations for Proper Surfacing

• Environmental Conditions
• Management Requirements
• Cost Factors
• Characteristics of Users
• Maintenance Requirements
• Equipment Requirements
• Accessibility

22
Site Analysis (Environmental)

• Soil and Geology
• Drainage
• Topography
• Vegetation

23
Site Analysis (Man-Made)

• Utilities
• Roads
• Use Zones
• Land Use
• Access

24
Three Factors to Consider When Installing
Equipment

• The planning for installation,
• The actual installation of the equipment and
  surfacing, and
• The liability issues related to the installation.

25
Five Factors in Installing Planning

• The manufacturer of the equipment,
• The manufacturer of the surface,
• The materials needed,
• Who will perform the installation, and
• Budgetary factors.