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Established in 2008, ’nPlay was created to unite the athletes of the sports world to fight the childhood obesity epidemic. An idea born out channel bouncing between a CNN report on childhood obesity and the NY Yankees game, four partners with backgrounds …

June is Great Outdoors Month, the perfect time to renew your commitment to creating active communities across America. According to the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, youth need 60 minutes or more …

After welcoming children with disabilities to participate in the baseball season on a typical baseball field, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. There were more than 75,000 children in Metro Atlanta with disabilities, most of …

Over the past several decades, physical activity has been engineered out of everyday life. As a result, less than a quarter of children in the United States are getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day. At the same time, obesity rates …

The question needs to be asked: How can we mainstream the physically challenged into sports activities? The trend to make playgrounds more inclusive has been a tremendous stride in the right direction. However, inclusive playgrounds do not answer the …

Most people accept the overwhelming evidence that the general level of physical fitness in the United States has declined while the health risks of obesity are growing. Other studies note that we spend less time outdoors than ever.  It is a joy to see the …

Few would question the value of sports for kids, yet these days there are increased concerns being raised. Is intense competition necessary? What about head injuries? What’s the best age to join a league? To fully understand the role of youth sports in …

The most well-known member in the world of softball, Jennie Finch has served as a role model for young women throughout the world not only for her on-field performance and sportsmanship but how she conducts herself off of it. A Gold Medal pitcher from the …

I recently read a great column by Jay Beckwith on the online Play and Playground News Center titled “ Creating Conditions for Play .” His comments struck a nerve. After just finishing my last column related to some of the of the current playground …

In addition to the adaptive swing seat, there are two swings on the market, mostly in Australia and Europe, which greatly enhance the play experience for people with disabilities. There is controversy as well as huge praise for both. We will explore all …

You often hear in the real estate profession that the key to any home is location, location, location. Over the past 17 years PlaySafe, LLC staff have audited playgrounds in many different settings and used a multitude of playground regulations. ASTM …

I’m always amazed when I see a young person smoking. Why they would choose to begin an addictive habit that is sure to kill them early is beyond my understanding. And yet, the few times I’ve had the opportunity to discuss this puzzlement with said young …

"So there we all were at the Anarchy Zone last Monday afternoon: Alex and I playworking 14 six and seven year olds from Ithaca's GIAC afterschool program, 2 GIAC adult supervisors, 2 Cornell researchers beginning their documented comparison of play …

When people visit your playgrounds and parks they are going to generate trash (think drink cups, water bottles, food wrappers, pet waste!). You need durable trash and recycling receptacles accessible to everyone – children and adults.  Steel receptacles …

I have written previously about my contention that playgrounds and the playground industry have become increasingly out of sync with the needs of children and our communities. It is time we look at ways to make playgrounds more relevant. To begin that …

Touched by Olivia   (TBO)  was started the way many great organizations begin. A family was touched by a personal life experience that made them want to stand up and make a difference. In November 2006, John and Justine Perkins of Australia tragically …

If you are a playground owner, it is important you understand how squarely behind the 8 ball you are when it comes to standards. I apologize for all the technical details to follow, but it is important. While traveling home after the May 7 and 8 Toronto …

Most child development centers and other early childhood facilities provide playground equipment for their attendees. PlaySafe, LLC conducts audits at many of these playgrounds, and we have found that it is common for the areas to be designed for children …

I was struck by the question that Paige Johnson asked at the recent round-table discussion: Risk-Benefit: Balancing Creativity and Concern in Playground Design held at CUNY, “Are we entering a post-playground era?” Since I wasn’t at the event, I won’t …

No matter your age, it is probable to assume that when you are at play, whatever that means to you, you feel most alive, clear of mind, and stress free. However, we often sacrifice our play time for other, seemingly more "important" activities in our …