Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • Build a Sandbox
  • The Play Value Of Sand
  • With Community Helpers the Play Lady Receives the Fred Rodgers Helpers Award
  • Keeping the Fun in Fundraising
  • See Accessibility Through the Eyes of a Child
  • Outdoor Play for Children with Intellectual Disabilities on Playgrounds

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Playground
  3. Construction
  4. Playground Relief

Playground Relief

Construction
July 01, 2005
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
By Playground Magazine on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
572
USAID to build 100 playgrounds for those affected by the tsunami

USAID to build 100 playgrounds for those affected by the tsunami

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale generated a series of destructive waves that hit coastal Sri Lanka with devastating impact. The tsunami waves caused the loss of over 30,000 lives, the displacement of over 800,000 people, and the destruction of property valued at over $900 million. Since this catastrophic event, millions of dollars and thousands of volunteers from all over the world have filtered into tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka to help rebuild communities and lives.

One rebuilding project of interest to Today’s Playground readers is the USAID–led efforts to build 100 playgrounds in the tsunami-affected districts of Sri Lanka. Financial support for the project comes from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC), which has pledged $500,000. The Bush-Clinton Houston Tsunami Relief Fund Relief Fund has donated $1,000,000, and USAID, in addition to its role as project coordinator between the many private, government and non-governmental agencies involved, has donated $500,000.

“Shortly after the tsunami we were looking for ways to have what is called safe spaces for families, communities, but especially for children to gather, to play, to interact, to have something to do, and also to get them back to normal daily life, attitude, etc.,” said Timothy Lavelle, project coordinator for USAID, “and one of the things we looked at was replacing and repairing playgrounds.”

According to USAID Mission Director Dr. Carol Becker, psychologists have well documented the significant role of play in a child’s recovery from traumatic experience, while promoting good health. “With such extensive damage to the coastal landscape here, we felt it crucial to restoring some areas where kids can be kids” Dr. Becker added.

Offering “a permanent place to play” to thousands of children who have lost nearly everything is the motivation behind the entire project to support the recovery of children affected by the 2004 tsunami and to contribute to the rehabilitation of tsunami-damaged communities. The opportunity to play is a significant factor in a child’s mental well being. Free play promotes good health and allows children to exert energies through physical experience. The significant loss of protected and safe play places in Sri Lanka is a call to action for more fortunate countries like the United States.

The U.S. based non-profit organization, The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), responded in kind by offering to send a professional consultation team visit to Sri Lanka to advise on the planning and construction of new play parks for children. This U.S. scoping team comprised of members of the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) Executive Committee, a representative from the International Playground Contractors Association, (NPCAI), and a representative from the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) toured the tsunami-affected areas and started developing a comprehensive plan to replace and build new children’s parks. The scoping team left on May 5 and returned 12 days later. The team leader, appointed by NPRA, is Monty Christiansen. He was accompanied by Ken Kutska, Tom Norquist, and Curtis Stoddard.

[[{"fid":"9996","view_mode":"full","fields":{"format":"full","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Playground Relief","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Playground Relief","external_url":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"full","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Playground Relief","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Playground Relief","external_url":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Playground Relief","title":"Playground Relief","height":499,"width":750,"class":"media-element file-full","data-delta":"1"}}]]

Upon arrival to Sri Lanka, the U.S. scoping team met and conferred with the U.S, Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jeffery Lunstead; Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa and other government officials; the JDC; and Sarvodaya, one of the most respected and experienced Sri Lankan non-governmental organizations. “These children’s parks are a great example of the public-private partnership to improve the daily lives of many of Sri Lanka children affected by tsunami,” said Jeffery Lunstead.

During the tour of the Sri Lanka coastline USAID, the JDC, and Sarvodaya provided the U.S. scoping team with a first-hand view of tsunami destruction and Sri Lanka playgrounds known as children’s parks. Thirteen Sri Lanka districts severely damaged by the tsunami were pre-selected as proposed sites for new children’s play parks. The scoping team reviewed sites for appropriateness with regard to safety, community involvement, local and cultural diversity, accessibility, environmental issues, and future maintenance.

The efforts of the NPRA do not stop there. Much is still required, and the time frame for completion of these projects such as recommendations for size, type, composite structure, and/or independent equipment, materials, budget parameters, and design for playgrounds to be constructed are forthcoming. Training of local officials and installers on playground safety standards, utilization, maintenance, and playgrounds as community-building vehicles will also take place at a future date. Once the role NPRA and its team of professionals will play is complete, Sri Lanka, through Sarvodaya and USAID will take the mantle of ownership to maintain the equipment and encourage family-friendly, multi-ethnic participation.

Today’s Playground magazine will keep readers abreast of project progression, and you may contact us for more information.

 

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
Playground Magazine
Published 18 years ago
Last updated 9 months ago
572
3
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Construction

Life in the Big City
Sep 01, 2003
Construction

Life in the Big City

Playground Magazine
Construction is Key
Jul 01, 2001
Construction

Construction is Key

Curtis Stoddard
Virginia Church Renovates Courtyard into Playground
Dec 28, 2018
Construction

Virginia Church Renovates Courtyard into Playground

Jonathan Moore
Mar 20, 2015
Construction

The Importance of Building It Right

Jack Fry
How to Determine the Feasibility of a Playground Area
Jul 29, 2013
Construction

How to Determine the Feasibility of a Playground Area

Butch-Defillippo
group of kids running to a newly completed playground
Dec 22, 2020
Construction

Be the Playground Hero

Tim McNamara
5 Things to Avoid When Creating a New Playground
Nov 12, 2019
Construction

5 Things to Avoid When Creating a New Playground

April Brooks
Play 4 All
Apr 10, 2017
Construction

Rebuilding Community Trust One Playground at a Time

Michele Breakfield
Playing Around with Playground Design. It should be fun!
Jul 01, 2001
Construction

Playing Around with Playground Design. It should be fun!

Playground Magazine
Planning a Play Space? Evaluate!
May 01, 2007
Construction

Planning a Play Space? Evaluate!

Curtis Stoddard
Under Construction
Jan 01, 2002
Construction

Under Construction

Playground Magazine
It's a Job Well Done When...
Mar 20, 2015
Construction

It's a Job Well Done When...

Roger Davis

Construction Professionals

Recreation Today Of Idaho, LLC
Recreation Today Of Idaho, LLC
Services
More
Miracle Playsystems
Miracle Playsystems
Services
More
PlayGo Company, LLC
PlayGo Company, LLC
Services
More
Bluemel's Maintenance Service
Bluemel's Maintenance Service
Services
More
Rex Playground Equipment, Inc.
Rex Playground Equipment, Inc.
Services
More
YoungCreek Recreational, LLC
YoungCreek Recreational, LLC
Services
More
Altitude Services, Inc.
Altitude Services, Inc.
Services
More
Irwin Construction
Irwin Construction
Services
More
Leathers and Associates
Leathers and Associates
Services
More
ParkPlay Solutions, LLC
ParkPlay Solutions, LLC
Services
More
David Taylor Design
David Taylor Design
Services
More
Safety Down Under, Inc.
Safety Down Under, Inc.
Services
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions