educ 240 playground research summer 2015

L/O/G/O

Playground Research Summer 2015

Children’s PerspectiveConduct Interviews

Bri, Kierstan, Rebecca, and Fatima

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

Preschool (Dominick)

Age: 3


My friends

What do you not like about the

playground?

Going home


playground?

I want to live here


2 times a week


My friends! (cousins)

Primary (Ellen)

Age: 5


I like the slides


I don’t like the Mary-go-around because it gets

me dizzy and I cant hold on tight


playground?

I don’t know


A lot


Juliet my best friend

Primary (Kamrin)


“It’s really fun and my favorite is the swing set.”


“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.”


“Very often with the YMCA.”


“Um, Whoever comes up to me and says, ‘Want to

play?’”

Age: 6

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.

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.

Disability – Mental (Sam) What do you like about the playground?

I like swings because I can swing really highWhat 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 relaxWhat 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 homeWho do you play with at the playground?Mathew my best friend

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 waterHow 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

The History,Evolution & Purpose of the PlaygroundHow playgrounds came around and changed over the years.

Brittany and Sandra

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Requirements

• Accessibility• Age groups• Age separation• Following Playground Safety Handbook

Guidelines

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

Playground Safety StandardsGovernment standards and types

Stephan and Linda

• 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

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.

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.

NPPS

S.A.F.E factors1.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.

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.

NPPS

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



ASTMAmerican 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.

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.

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

• 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.

CPSCU.S. Consumer ProductSafety Commission

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.

CPSCPublic Playground Safety Handbook

• This handbook was created with the guidelines for creating a safer playground environment for all children.

• Also to reduce playground related deaths and injuries.

1. Introduction• Estimated that there are more than 200,000 injuries

annually on public playgrounds across the country that required emergency room treatment.

1.2 Scope• This handbook is expected to promote greater

awareness among those who purchase, install, and maintain public playground equipment.

1.3 Intended Audience • Childcare personnel - School Officials – Parks -

Recreation Personnel - Equipment Purchasers and Installers - Playground Designers - Any other member of the general public

• “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 facilitieso Institutionso Multiple family dwellings, such as apartment and

condominium buildingso Parks, such as city, state, and community maintained

parkso Restaurantso Resorts and recreational developmentso Schoolso Other areas of public use

1.3 What is a Public Playground?

1.4 Public Playground SafetyVoluntary Standards and CPSC Handbook History1.4.1 ASTM Playground standards

•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.

1.5.1 Equipment guidelines• 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

1.5.2 Surfacing guidelines• Critical height table revised• Suggestions for surfacing over asphalt added

1.5.3 General guidelines• Suggestions on sun exposure added

1.5.4 Other revisions• Editorial changes to make that Handbook easier to understand and use

1.5 Significant Revisions for 2008

• 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)

1.6 Background

1.7 Playground Injuries

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 Entrapmento 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

1.8 Definitions 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 equipmento The need for impact attenuating protective surfacing under

and around equipmento Openings with the potential for head entrapmento The scale of equipment and other design features related to

user age and layout of equipment on a playgroundo Installation and maintenance procedureso General hazards presented by protrusions, sharp edges, and

crush or shear points

2. General Playground Consider

2.1 Selecting a Site

2.1.1 Shading Considerations• 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

2.2 Playground Layout2.2.1 Accessibility• Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of

Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment, ASTM F1951

2.2.2 Age separation• Playgrounds should have distinct areas for the different age

groups, separated by a buffer zone.

2.2.3 Age Group2.2.4 Conflicting activities• 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.

2.2.5 Sight lines• The playground should be laid out so that parents can keep

track of children as they move around the playground.

2.2.6 Signage and/or labeling• Should give some guidance to supervisors as to the age

appropriateness of the equipment.

2.2.7 Supervision• Supervisors should understand the basics of playground safety

such as: (NEXT SLIDE)

• 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.

2.3 Selecting Equipment

2.3.1 Equipment not Recommended

• 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

2.4 Surfacing• 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.

2.4.1 Equipment not covered by protective surfacing recommendations• 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

2.4.2 Selecting a surfacing material

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

2.4.2.1 Unitary surfacing materials2.4.2.2 Loose-fill surfacing materials

2.5 Equipment Materials

2.5.1 Durability and finish• 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.

2.5.2 Hardware• 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

2.5.3 Metals• 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.

2.5.4 Paints and finishes• 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.

2.5.5 Wood• 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.

2.5.5.1 Pressure-treated wood• Existing playgrounds with CCA-treated wood may expose

children to arsenic from the woods surface.

2.6 Assembly and Installation• 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

3. Playground Hazards3.1 Crushing and Shearing Points• Ensure that child could not get a body part inside the point or

closing force around the point

3.2 Entanglement and Implement3.2.1 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

3.3 Entrapment 3.3.1 Head Entrapment3.3.2 Partially bound opening and angles

• Openings must be between 3.5 and 9 inches • Angles for by two accessible parts should be greater than

55 degrees

3.4 Sharp Points, Corners and Edges• 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

3.5 Suspended Hazards3.6 Tripping Hazards• 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.

3.7 Used Tires• 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

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.

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

What should Playgrounds IncludeTypes of equipment

Jennifer, Joyce and Elvira

Playground EquipmentPlanning• Requires Information Gathering • Key Focus

– Safety,– Age appropriateness – accessibility– Maintenance

• Comprehensive Budget

Playground Ages

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

Selection Process

• Existing Equipment Observed• New equipment Ideas • Playground Layout• Equipment meets regulatory standards• Properly maintained, repaired, regularly

inspected

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

Swings

Preschool Equipment

5 and Up Equipment

References

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Public Playground Safety Handbook

• Illinois Park & Recreation Association, A Guide to Playground Planning

Special Needs and ADA StandardsADA & Standards(Do they have regulations for students)

Ashley and Sam

ADA Standardsfor Accessible Design

To be applied to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements:• During the design• Construction• Additions to• Alterations of

Accessible routes- Standard 206

Floor or Ground Surfaces- Standard 302

• Stable, firm, and slip resistant

• Changes in level must have a slope or ramp

Turning Space- Standard 304

• Minimum of 60 inches in diameter• Must be clear of obstructions 12 inches in

each direction

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.

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.

Mental Disabilities and Autism• Broad Spectrum

Precautions

• Supervision based on severity• Special Equipment• Keep away from potentially harmful

enviroments

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

• 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

educ 240 playground research summer 2015

Education

play ground

new friends

free time

water swing

preschool jac age

preschool dominick age

secondary abdullah age

secondary malayeka age