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The National Playground Contractors Association, Inc. (NPCAI) is pleased to announce that its Recreation Installation Specialist Certification (RISC) program fully aligns with the newly released ASTM Standard Guide F3699-24, further enhancing …

Sport and recreation have been a significant part of society since human history began. Sports and recreation activities have been where people learned, practiced, honed, and demonstrated their skills in hunting or military training. In Greek and Roman …

Outdoor playgrounds have long been essential to society. When well-designed, these places prioritise fun, exploration, and education for children and their caregivers, helping them forge stronger connections with nature and each other. Today, these …

As I return from the ISO Technical Committee 83 Committee on Sports and other recreational facilities and equipment , Working Groups 6 and 8 (ISO/TC83 WG6 and 8) meetings in Germany, I reflect on what has occurred internationally since the first ISO/TC83 …

On a donated field not far from the shores of Canandaigua Lake in New York, a brand new and overdue community space just opened. Motion Junction is located on Outhouse Road in the Richard P Outhouse Memorial Park , so named for the family that donated the …

This summer of 2024, I had the privilege of interning at Let's Play America (LPA), an organization dedicated to promoting play for people of all ages. As a Family Science major at the University of Maryland, my time at LPA was both an enriching and …

They promote risky play as an important component of any successful play environment. With risky play comes an increase in the probability of harm should a child fail to execute some physical action they are not yet capable of handling. This occurs when …

Interning with Let's Play America over the past few months has been a blast, as well as a valuable learning experience, preparing us for college and a future career. Working with the organization, Let’s Play America provided a unique experience in …

In the heart of El Paso, Texas, where the arid climate often dominates the landscape, a vibrant oasis has emerged, thanks to the collaborative efforts of El Paso Artificial Grass Supply and the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region . This transformative project …

In January 2024, I had the privilege of joining Let's Play America as an intern during my senior year at the University of Maryland. Play has always been important to me and now I have the chance to bring my passion for it to the community. The first task …

My name is Abram Motlhaapula and I am an international student from Botswana, Africa studying Fitness and Sport Science at Washington Adventist University. I am a freshman at the school and my experience so far has been a dream come true. I am enjoying …

I own a well-worn pickup truck with tires to match. If one day, I took those tires off my vehicle, chopped them up, slapped some paint on them, and spread the tire rubber across the playground where my kids like to play, what would they think? Better …

No one disputes the benefits of play and recreation, but there is a significant dispute about what an acceptable severity for a play-related injury is. Standards (ASTM F1487, CSA Z614, En1176, SS457, etc.) boldly state that they are to prevent fatalities …

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association ( IPRA ), a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation, on behalf of its 2,400 professional members, submitted a research and development grant proposal to the Illinois State Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. …

Sensory play benefits children in a number of ways, including enhanced speech and language skills  and better social development . But one of the biggest advantages of adding sensory play to your playground is that it promotes inclusivity. It’s not just …

While the warm sunny days of summer were setting in, 16-year-old Kam Sorenson was starting an internship that would go on to change her perspective on the importance of play in the lives of both children and adults. By helping set up play days, …

NOTE: This article is more than it appears to be. You need to read it in its entirety to understand fully. The Challenge I am often asked if there is a magic formula for designing  award-winning playgrounds . And though it may look like magic, designing a …

Want to organize a Play Day in your community? ChangeX , a global nonprofit is inviting you to apply for the Play Day Project. Funding to start a project in one of these areas around the world begins in June, see below. Denmark June 15 United Kingdom June …

Safety labels and signs play a key role in helping to keep areas as safe as possible and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. This is particularly important in areas like playgrounds, where children should be able to climb, play, and have fun with …

When I was a kid, I had to alleviate my boredom with the great outdoors. I would spend countless hours in my backyard running, swinging, and inventing games in my head. I fondly remember how I would challenge myself to get up to my tree house without …