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The words echoed through the building as staff and children raced outside to see what was happening. Next to the monkey bars, they heard Caleb and Don calling each other ugly names and saw them throwing punches. As the two 10-year-olds were being …

Before we go over the receipt and care of equipment, we need to take a quick look at a prior article. Also written by Curtis Stoddard , it covers the pre-construction checklist. Here’s a quick review, as noted by Stoddard: PRE-INSTALLATION CHECKLIST - …

Since many children live in densely populated areas, the requirements for playtime have a much more rigid structure. Parents need to know where their children are, and how long they will be there, and in many cases, parents are still standing close by and …

"Existing American playgrounds are a disaster," begins the book American Playgrounds by Susan G Solomon . Since Webster describes disaster as any happening that causes great harm or damage, calamity. I doubt that America's existing playgrounds qualify as …

GameTime is a leading playground equipment manufacturer, but did you also know that it carries a line of safety surfacing? It also offers GT Impax, which includes five different kinds of IPEMA certified, ADA accessible surfacing, and that they also offer …

How can you participate in Playground Safety Week this year? There are a number of ways to join in. You’ll find the following Play S.A.F.E. Promise Activities on the National Program for Playground Safety website: Talk with children about the importance …

With playground safety on the tip of tongues these days, more attention is being directed toward surfacing concerns and installing the proper protective surface under play equipment. There have been several different options utilized to help cushion the …

It seems that most play equipment is geared toward children 12 and under, but there are actually some things out there that could apply to older children as well. Skateparks and climbing walls can both be an option in this case as well. It’s true, you’ll …

If you haven’t heard about it, it’s time you did. A VNP is a Very Nice Person, and it’s the latest help for bullying in schools and on the playground. Dan Potter and Bracken Johnson, the bully from Napoleon Dynamite, have been traveling the Western United …

This long-term support effort for Katrina’s kids will be supported by a network of nonprofit, corporate, and faith-based organizations to help support the children that were affected by this tragedy. “Katrina’s Kids” will use the abilities of these …

First stop: the Boll Family YMCA…in the heart of downtown Detroit! On December 5, 2005, the new John and Marlene Boll Family YMCA opened to great fanfare and acclaim from Detroit media and beyond. Deemed “one of the finest YMCAs in the world” by Ken …

In the grand scheme of things, there is one thought that just seems to resound in the mind of a child likely every day: to play. Maddie Rubio is no different, even though she has some unusual circumstances for a little girl of 6 and a half years old. …

Y­­ou have had bake sales, sold popcorn, washed cars, hit up all the local businesses for donations and seemingly exhausted all the resources your community has to offer for funds. What do you do next to pick up the slack and help the playground build …

Do playground safety standards make a difference in reducing injuries and enhancing child development? In an article published in the December 2005 issue of Today's Playground, the author of the present article reviewed complications in interpreting and …

Marissa races to escape her pursuers on the playground. She quickly ascends the steps, darts across the bridge and heads for the opening at the zipper climber (or any of a dozen other similar play events). She knows she is about to be captured so she …

Ah, Spring! The happy sounds of children returning to playgrounds are everywhere and you’re working to ensure that the children have what they need to have a fun and enriching play experience—a stimulating and safe space, proper supervision and the energy …

In an attempt not to insult any of my fellow child development experts, landscape architects, playground equipment manufacturers, park planning professionals, my mother or father and anyone else who may take offense to what I am about to share, I would …

Who better to take care of the play area than those who actually use it? You might be one who picks up the stray paper or pop can on the playground to help out, but did you know that you can help beyond that with other maintenance issues? This can be a …

Myrtice loved watching her 5 -year-old daughter Marcy on the playground. She zipped down the slide, invited others to climb into the fort with her and arched her back on the swings to allow the wind to flow through her hair. “What a change over the years …

Playground awareness has increased dramatically in the last 20 years. A focus on the value of play, safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act led to the creation of written guidelines for playgrounds and playground equipment. This valuable …

Before you send those drawings out for bid, take another look. It's true you've included the resilient surfaces, swings, climbers, and slides. These are all big-ticket items and they've been designed with safety in mind. So if you've included such items …