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You might say that John Preston's Iife has been devoted to making the world safer for children. He has worked on numerous projects as a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), almost all of which were during the 25 years …

Just over a decade ago, the use of poured-in-place rubberized safety surfacing for playground use was heralded as the Cadillac of surfacing choices. Besides fulfilling all ADA and CPSC compliance requirements, the color choices offered had playground …

Until recently, playground information has been tough to get a hold of. Information before 1970 is vintage and obsolete. Today we find playground information more accessible. Part of this is due to the Internet. But even more important, more research is …

"Yes, I can drive through the playground, but I can't play with the different things that are there" (Prellwitz & Tamm, 1999, 170) "I like to push him around in the wheelchair. He likes to play cops and he's the cop. He pushes me off the fence. We play a …

What is a playground? For the past few months, that question has been nagging at me. I know what others say it is and what others say it isn't. I understand some of the basic structures that one is made of. I even know of the amenities that complete the …

With the increase in childhood obesity in the United States, there has also been an increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in school-aged children. Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Diabetes Association …

In many parts of the county, we find that parks and playgrounds have not received much use in the last four or five months due to the falling snow and frosty temperatures. But now, the ice is melting and the air is warming. Warm temperatures and sunshine …

There is a need to try to satisfy everyone. Whether you are a parks and recreation professional, a school administrator or any of countless after-school programs, there is always a desire to find low-cost activities that appeal to a wide range of people …

It doesn't take rocket science to help mainstream children with developmental delays turn into useful, productive members of society. It just takes dedication, commitment, a healthy measure of human kindness, recreation, a vast amount of love and …

Almost everyone agrees that the world changed forever after the tragic events of September 11. But what do we tell the children? How do we explain that a road to their favorite playground is now blocked off and no longer available for use? How do we …

It was the same ear-piercing plea I would hear every time a Barbie commercial would come on television. But a Barbie I could afford; A Barbie I could go get. A trip to Disneyland? Now that's a different story. Getting to California from Idaho is much …

Studies show that brain stimulation produced during play significantly contributes to the growth and hardwiring of neural circuitry and that play deprivation results in biological regression of brain development. Other studies indicate that play prepares …

The CPSC Special Study of Injuries and Deaths Associated with Children’s Playground Equipment, released in April 2001, presented some grim findings on public playgrounds. These findings are briefly summarized here: Most kids were injured on public …

In the United States today, as always, we tend to shop and investigate the best deal available always looking for the ultimate value. Value is defined by Webster as "rate of usefulness, importance or general worth." Today, we find many people involved in …

Perhaps it's just that I am noticing it more. When we set out to put together our one-year anniversary issue I didn't sit down and say, " Let's have lots of stories concerning children this issue." But somehow it ended up that way. Don't get me wrong. …

If you are like most folks, you like to have fun. It started when you were a kid. Playing always will be a big and vital part of youngsters throughout the world. Now that we are older we refer to "playing" by many other titles, but it is an important …

Today's modern playground must be far more than just a place for children to play," commented David Fleming, long-time director of parks and recreation for the city of Port Orange, Fla. "It must be a facility designed with the safety of the end user in …

It all started in 1927. It was the same year that Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs to set the Major League record for a season. It was the same year that the first movie to incorporate sound, The Jazz Singer, was released. It was the same year that Charles …

The time is now. At least that is what Michael Orelove finally said about an idea that was generated 20 years ago during a visit to Seattle. While on a visit to Seattle, Orelove came across a sundial that was located on the ground and used a person as the …

We had already traveled over 400 miles. Crayons and coloring books, Barbie dolls and candy wrappers littered the floor of our minivan like debris in a cornfield after a tornado. My four children were holy terrors as we ventured southward from the high …

The town of Centerville wished to build a park on the outskirts of town on property given to the town for a park by the Johnson family. This piece of land had a swamp that held water part of the year. The town administrators did not want the park …