The document contains information from a playground research project conducted in the summer of 2015. It includes interviews with children and youth of various ages about what they like and dislike about playgrounds, what they would change, how often they visit, and who they play with. It also contains background information on the history and purpose of playgrounds, organizations like the NPPS and ASTM that set safety standards, and guidelines from the CPSC on creating safe playground environments.

1. L/O/G/O
Playground Research
Summer 2015

2. Bri, Kierstan, Rebecca, and Fatima

3. Preschool (Jac)
Age: 4
What do you like about the playground?
EVERYTHING!
What do you not like about the playground?
Sometimes it’s wet and yucky
What would you change about the
playground?
N/A
How often do you go to the playground?
Every day (at school) Twice a week (park)
Who do you play with at the playground?
Some boys

4. Preschool (Dominick)
Age: 3
What do you like about the playground?
My friends
What do you not like about the
playground?
Going home
What would you change about the
playground?
I want to live here
How often do you go to the playground?
2 times a week
Who do you play with at the playground?
My friends! (cousins)

5. Primary (Ellen)
Age: 5
What do you like about the playground?
I like the slides
What do you not like about the playground?
I don’t like the Mary-go-around because it gets
me dizzy and I cant hold on tight
What would you change about the
playground?
I don’t know
How often do you go to the playground?
A lot
Who do you play with at the playground?
Juliet my best friend

6. Primary (Kamrin)
What do you like about the playground?
“It’s really fun and my favorite is the swing set.”
What do you not like about the playground?
“People daring me to go on high monkey bars!”
What would you change about the playground?
“I’d put some water stuff there, like a water swing.”
How often do you go to the playground?
“Very often with the YMCA.”
Who do you play with at the playground?
“Um, Whoever comes up to me and says, ‘Want to
play?’”
Age: 6

7. Secondary (Abdullah)
Age: 13
What do you like about the playground?
I like that I get free time for physical activities
and not waste time doing useless things like
sitting and playing FIFA on my Ps3.
What do you not like about the playground?
Too crowded. Sometimes I don’t get chance to
take my turn.
What would you change about the playground?
Ground in the play ground should have safety
pads. Like if kids fall on the grass they get really
injured.
How often do you go to the playground?
There are three parks near my house. I go with
my parents on Friday evening.
Who do you play with at the playground?
I play with my siblings, friends and if I want I
even make new friends.

8. Secondary (Malayeka)
Age: 10
What do you like about the playground?
Swirly slides and sitting on the bench in shade.
What do you not like about the playground?
Fights and quarrels over turns and falling and
getting hurt.
What would you change about the playground?
Pet free parks because once a kid got bit by a
dog.
How often do you go to the playground?
2-3 times a week.
Who do you play with at the playground?
With friends and if friends are not there I make
new friends.

9. Disability – Mental
(Sam) What do you like about the playground?
I like swings because I can swing really
high
What do you not like about the
playground?
I don’t like that sometimes they are too
crowed and this the place that I like to go
have alone time and relax
What would you change about the
playground?
If I could build or put something to all
playground that will be water sprayers
How often do you go to the playground?
Well I am in there all the time because I
have my own playground at home
Who do you play with at the playground?
Mathew my best friend

10. Disability – Physical
(Emma)
Disability: Cerebral Palsy
What do you like about the playground?
The SLIDE!
What do you not like about the
playground?
the ground (makes her trip)
What would you change about the
playground?
More water
How often do you go to the playground?
4 days a week (school), 2 or 3 days a
week (home)
Who do you play with at the
playground?
Momma

11. Brittany and Sandra

12. What is the origin of the
playground?
• The playground was invented in the late 1800’s
• The playground was first identified by Marie
Zarkrzewska.
• Marie was born in Germany and she one was of
the first female physicians in the united states.
• The first sand garden was created in Germany in
1885
• The first sand garden in the us was created in
Boston in 1886.

13. The Purpose
• In the 1900’s industrialization grew.
• Playgrounds shifted from sand boxes to physical
equipment and to open spaces
• This was suppose to keep children off the street,
develop physical health, and social skills
• General purpose remains the same

14. Evolution
• In the beginning of the 19th century the
playground equipment consisted of steel tubes
, merry go rounds.
• 30’s and 40’s the country was in a depression.
• The development of the playground slowed
down.
• 50’s – the playground was more for adventure,
tunnels, rocks
• 60’s-70’s – More shapes and animals.
• 80’s- Standardized playgrounds

15. Facts
• The playground was influenced by famous child
psychologist like Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson.
• Denmark was the first country to pass laws to
make sure public housing had playgrounds.
• In 1928 the national
recreation association
recommending
equipment that was
appropriate to their age
levels.

16. The First Swing Set
Was Invented By Wicksteed In
1932 In The UK.

17. The Kids Could Go
Extremely High On The
Swing. Definitely Would Be
A Concern Today.

18. Benefits
• Social Skills (i.e. Different Race Interactions)
• Imagination/ Creativity
• Thinking/ Problem-Solving Skills
• Self-Care Skills
Without it, children would:
- Be (more) physically unfit
- Societal Changes
- Educational Changes

19. Requirements
• Accessibility
• Age groups
• Age separation
• Following Playground Safety Handbook
Guidelines

20. Locations
Choose:
• Places near restrooms/ water supply
• Easily accessible to streets
• Areas that allow supervision
• Areas with high children population

21. Stephan and Linda

22. • Started in 1995 they are the leader in research,
training and development of S.A.F.E. play areas.
NPPS
National Program
For Playground Safety

23. NPPS
Mission:
 Every child will have access to play in a safe
environment.
 Communities will be educated on quality outdoor
play areas.
 Local, state, and national leaders will support
children's outdoor play.

24. NPPS
Goals:
 To raise community awareness of children's
outdoor play areas.
 To advocate at the local, state, and national level
for safe, inclusive, high quality play areas for
children.
 To educate professionals who are involved with
children's play areas.

25. NPPS
S.A.F.E factors
1.Provide proper supervision of children on
playgrounds.
2.Design age-appropriate playgrounds.
3.Provide proper fall surfacing under and around
playgrounds.
4.Properly maintain playground equipment.

26. NPPS
• NPPS list the states that have passed legislation or
regulations addressing playground safety and have
adopted all or parts of the CPSC or ASTM standards.
Indiana is not one of these states.
• According to NPPS the study that they conducted the
states that have adopted CPSC standards receive a B
grade on their playgrounds. But the states that did
not adopt the CPSC guidelines would receive a C.

27. NPPS
http://www.playgroundsafety.org/research/reports/indiana

30. ASTM
American Society for
Testing and Materials
• ASTM International, formerly known as the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally
recognized leader in the development and delivery of
international voluntary consensus standards. Today,
some 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the
world to improve product quality, enhance safety,
facilitate market access and trade, and build
consumer confidence.

31. ASTM
• They have over 140 technical standards-writing
committees and represent many diverse industries.
• On the following slide are that most important
standards according to NPPS that deal with
playgrounds.
• NPPS also says that there are many other standards
as well on the ASTM website.

32. ASTM
• F1148 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home
Playground Equipment
• F1487 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Use
Playground Equipment
• F2373 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Use Play
Equipment for Children 6 Months through 23 Months
• F1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials
within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• F2049 Standard Safety Performance Specification for Fences/Barriers for Public,
Commercial, and Multi-Family Residential Use Outdoor Play Areas
• F1816 Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper
Outerwear
• F1918 Standard Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play
Equipment
• F2088 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Swings

33. • CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable
risks of injury or death associated with the use of the
thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's
jurisdiction.
CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission

34. CPSC
• Has guidelines for both public playground and home
playground equipment.
• The SPSC guidelines are recognized as “standard of care” that
should be followed by professionals in the field.
• The CPSC guidelines for public playground equipment were
first published in 1981 with revisions in 1991,1994,1997,2008,
and 2010.
• The guidelines for home playground equipment were not
published until 2005 as guidance for homes and residential
child care facilities.

35. CPSC
• This handbook was created with the guidelines for
creating a safer playground environment for all children.
• Also to reduce playground related deaths and injuries.

36. • Estimated that there are more than 200,000 injuries
annually on public playgrounds across the country that
required emergency room treatment.
• This handbook is expected to promote greater
awareness among those who purchase, install, and
maintain public playground equipment.
• Childcare personnel - School Officials – Parks -
Recreation Personnel - Equipment Purchasers and
Installers - Playground Designers - Any other member of
the general public

37. • “Public” playground equipment refers to equipment for
use by children ages 6 months through 12 years in the
playground areas of:
o Commercial (non-residential) child care facilities
o Institutions
o Multiple family dwellings, such as apartment and
condominium buildings
o Parks, such as city, state, and community maintained
parks
o Restaurants
o Resorts and recreational developments
o Schools
o Other areas of public use

38. •F1487 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for
Public Use.
•F2373 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Use Play Equipment
for Children 6 Months through 23 Months.
•F1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems under and Around
Playground Equipment.
•F2075 Standard Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a Playground Safety
Surface under and Around Playground Equipment.
•F2223 Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing.
•F2479 Standard Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-
In-Place Playground Surfacing.
•F1951 Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems under
and Around Playground Equipment.
•F1816 Standard Safety Specification for Drawstrings on Children's Upper Outerwear
•F2049 Standard Guide for Fences/Barriers for Public, Commercial, and Multi-Family
Residential Use Outdoor Play Areas.
•F1148 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground
Equipment.
•F1918 Standard Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play Equipment.

39. • Age range expanded to include 6 months and older to match ASTM F2373
• Guide lines for track rides and log rolls added
• Exit zone requirements for slides changed to match ASTM F1487
• Critical height table revised
• Suggestions for surfacing over asphalt added
• Suggestions on sun exposure added
• Editorial changes to make that Handbook easier to understand and use

40. • When designing a layout for a playground the entire
play area should be considered and evaluated for
safety.
• Playgrounds present some challenge and because
children can be expected to use equipment in
unintended and unanticipated ways
• Each age group of children have different needs, age
groups designated as:
• Toddler (6 month - 2)
• Preschool-age (2 – 5)
• School-age (5-12)

41.  200,000 estimated emergency room-treated injuries annually
 Falls are the most common 44%
 Equipment-related hazards (breakage, tip over, design, and
assembly) 23%
 Other hazard
o Entrapment
o Colliding with other children or stationary equipment
 The recommendation in this handbook have been developed to
address the hazards that result in playground related injuries and
deaths

42.  This hand book defines many of the words or term used so
that everyone that reads it will understand what is being said.
 The recommendations include those that address:
o The potential for falls from and impact with equipment
o The need for impact attenuating protective surfacing under
and around equipment
o Openings with the potential for head entrapment
o The scale of equipment and other design features related to
user age and layout of equipment on a playground
o Installation and maintenance procedures
o General hazards presented by protrusions, sharp edges, and
crush or shear points

44. • American Academy of Dermatology
• One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer
during their life time and five or more sunburns double that
risk of developing skin cancer.
• Trees
• Play structures designed to provide shade
• Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of
Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment,
ASTM F1951
• Playgrounds should have distinct areas for the different age
groups, separated by a buffer zone.

45. • Different types of equipment have different use zones that must
be maintained.
• Moving equipment, such as swings and merry-go-rounds, should
be located toward a corner, side, or edge of the play area while
ensuring that the appropriate use zones around the equipment
are maintained.
• Slide exits should be located in an uncongested area of the
playground.
• Composite play structures have become increasingly popular on
public playgrounds. Adjacent components on composite
structures should be complementary. For example, an access
component should not be located in a slide exit zone.

46. • The playground should be laid out so that parents can keep
track of children as they move around the playground.
• Should give some guidance to supervisors as to the age
appropriateness of the equipment.
• Supervisors should understand the basics of playground safety
such as: (NEXT SLIDE)

47. • Checking for broken equipment and making sure children
don’t play on it.
• Checking for and removing unsafe modifications, especially
ropes tied to equipment, before letting children play.
• Checking for properly maintained protective surfacing.
• Making sure children are wearing foot wear.
• Watching and stopping dangerous horseplay, such as children
throwing protective surfacing materials, jumping from
heights, etc.
• Watching for and stopping children from wandering away
from the play area.

49. • Trampolines
• Swinging gates
• Giant strides
• Climbing ropes that are not secured at both ends.
• Heavy metal swings (e.g., animal figures)
• Multiple occupancy swings – With the exception of tire swings.
• Rope swings
• Swinging dual exercise rings and trapeze bars

50. • Most important factor in reducing the likelihood of life
threating head injuries.
• This height can be considered as an approximation of the fall
height below which a life-threatening head injury would not
be expected to occur.
• Not required if a child is to be standing or sitting at ground level.
Examples:
• Sand boxes
• Activity walls at ground level
• Play houses
• Any other equipment that children use when their feet
remain in contact with the ground surface

51. • Only two options available for surfacing public playgrounds:
unitary and loose-fill material

54. • Use equipment that is manufactured and constructed only of
materials that have a demonstrated record of durability in a
playground or similar setting
• Finishes, treatments, and preservatives should be selected
carefully so that they do not present a health hazard to users.

55. • All fasteners, connectors, and covering devices should not loosen
or be removable without the use of tools.
• All fasteners, connectors, and covering devices that are exposed
to the user should be smooth and should not be likely to cause
laceration, penetration, or present a clothing entanglement
hazard Lock washers, self-locking nuts, or other locking means
should be provided for all nuts and bolts to protect them from
detachment.
• Hardware in moving joints should also be secured against
unintentional or unauthorized loosening.
• All fasteners should be corrosion resistant and be selected to
minimize corrosion of the materials they connect. Bearings or
bushings used in moving joints should be easy to lubricate or be
self-lubricating.
• All hooks, such as S-hooks and C-hooks, should be closed

56. • Avoid using bare metal for platforms, slides, or steps
• If bare or painted metal surfaces are used on platforms, steps,
and slide beds, they should be oriented so that the surface is
not exposed to direct sun year round.
• All paints and other similar finishes must meet the current
CPSC regulation for lead in paint
• Metals not inherently corrosion resistant should be painted,
galvanized, or otherwise treated to prevent rust.
• Older playgrounds with lead based paints should be identified
and a strategy to control lead paint exposure should be
developed.

57. • Wood should be either naturally rot- and insect-resistant (e.g.,
cedar or redwood) or should be treated to avoid such
deterioration.
• Creosote-treated wood (e.g., railroad ties, telephone poles, etc)
and coatings that contain pesticides should not be used.
• Existing playgrounds with CCA-treated wood may expose
children to arsenic from the woods surface.

58. • Strictly follow all instructions from the manufacturer when
assembling and installing equipment.
• After assembly and before its first use, equipment should be
thoroughly inspected by a person qualified to inspect
playgrounds for safety.
• The manufacturer’s assembly and installation instructions, and
all other materials collected concerning the equipment, should
be kept in a permanent file.
• Secure anchoring is a key factor to stable installation, and the
anchoring process should be completed in strict accordance with
the manufacturer’s specifications

59. • Ensure that child could not get a body part inside the point or
closing force around the point
3.2.1 Strings and Ropes
• Hazardous Projection CANNOT extend more that 2 threads beyond
the nut
• Projection CANNOT create an entanglement hazard
• S-Hooks and C-Hooks must be no greater than 0.04 inches open
unless containing an in-fill
• Signage that recommends children do not wear jewelry, drawstrings
or mittens that contain strings
• Ropes should be secured at both ends

60. • Openings must be between 3.5 and 9 inches
• Angles for by two accessible parts should be greater than
55 degrees
• Wood smooth and free of splinters
• Metal edges should have rolled or rounded edges
• Tubing ends should be covered by caps or plugs
• Steel belted radials are examined regularly for exposed steel
belts/wires
• No exposed nails, screws or any hardware

61. • Anchoring devices stored below ground level and beneath
protective surfacing material
• Contrasted surface color and equipment color
• Surfacing containment walls highly visible
• Change of elevation should be obvious
• Contrasting surfacing and surfacing containment color.
• Inspected regularly for exposed steel belts and wires (on tire
swings)
• Drainage for water and debris (tire swing)
• Recycled Rubber mulch must be inspected for metal before
installation

62. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The NRPA provides certification for playground inspection.
Their goal is to have a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) in
every community.
ASTM International has a Public Playground Safety Handbook for
consumers.
IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association)
provides certification logo to manufactured equipment that has
passed safety standard inspection.

63. References
• Stechmiller, Laura. Indiana Parks & Recreation
Association. June 23, 2015. Operations Assistant
• National Recreation and Parks Association Staff.
(2015). Retrieved from
http://www.nrpa.org/playgroundsafety/
• Educational District Service 112 Staff. (n.d.)
Retrieved from
http://web3esd112.org/docs/insurance-
programs/playgrdgdIn1200.pdf

64. Jennifer, Joyce and Elvira

65. Playground Equipment
Planning
• Requires Information Gathering
• Key Focus
– Safety,
– Age appropriateness
– accessibility
– Maintenance
• Comprehensive Budget

66. Playground Ages
• Toddler Age 6-23 month
• Pre-school ages 2-5 years
• Grade School ages 5-12 years

67. Selection Process
• Existing Equipment Observed
• New equipment Ideas
• Playground Layout
• Equipment meets regulatory standards
• Properly maintained, repaired, regularly
inspected

68. Recommendations
• We recommend the following pieces of
equipment:
• Swings
• Composite Slides and climbing equipment
• Tetter Toters
• Merry go rounds
• Wood Chip Surfaces
• Wood Containment Borders

69. Swings

70. Preschool Equipment

71. 5 and Up Equipment

72. References
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Public Playground Safety Handbook
• Illinois Park & Recreation Association, A Guide
to Playground Planning

73. Ashley and Sam

74. ADA Standards
for Accessible Design
To be applied to sites, facilities, buildings, and
elements:
• During the design
• Construction
• Additions to
• Alterations of

75. Accessible routes-
Standard 206

76. Floor or Ground Surfaces-
Standard 302
• Stable, firm, and slip resistant
• Changes in level must have a slope or ramp

77. Turning Space-
Standard 304
• Minimum of 60 inches in diameter
• Must be clear of obstructions 12 inches in
each direction

78. Knee and Toe Clearance-
Standard 306
• Toe clearance shall
extend 9 inches above
floor and shall extend
25 inches under an
element, and 30 inches
wide
• Knee Clearance shall be
9-27 inches above floor
and shall extend 25
inches under an
element, and 20 inches
wide.

79. Reach Range-
Standard 308
• Forward Reach: 48 inches maximum height,
reach depth is 20 inches maximum
• Side Reach: High reach 48 inches maximum,
low reach 15 inches minimum above the
floor.

80. Mental Disabilities and
Autism
• Broad Spectrum

81. Precautions
• Supervision based on severity
• Special Equipment
• Keep away from potentially harmful
enviroments

82. Important Note
• Learn about the child
• It is extremely important to take into
account the child’s disability and its effects
on their social behavior
• No two children are the same

83. • Proposed ADA Standards for Accessible Design. (2005,
August 5). Retrieved July 15, 2015, from ADA-ABA
Accessibility Guidelines website:
http://www.ada.gov/archive/NPRM2008/ada_standards/
proposedadastds.htm#SITE
• Stechmiller, Laura. Indiana Parks & Recreation
Association. June 23, 2015. Operations Assistant
• National Recreation and Parks Association Staff.
(2015). Retrieved from
http://www.nrpa.org/playgroundsafety/
• Educational District Service 112 Staff. (n.d.) Retrieved
from http://web3esd112.org/docs/insurance-
programs/playgrdgdIn1200.pdf
References