It's Not The Same Old Playground!

It's Not The Same Old Playground!

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The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation indicates that in the late 1800s, a number of private organizations offered sand gardens and slides in sections of Central Park. At the time, the sandbox and the slide were all that children could expect to find in a play area.

Play systems have come a long way since then and now in addition to that sandbox your children will most likely find a set of swings, monkey bars, jungle gyms, and many other items for fun and exploration. Many towns are moving to create more eco-friendly playgrounds that use non-toxic material such as wood that has been certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and partially or completely recycled plastics for the construction of play structures. Some of these modernized playgrounds also help the environment through design that captures rain water for use in surrounding flower beds.

Many public and private elementary schools and parks are now building or re-building their playgrounds and are designing them with safety in mind. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicates that more than 200,000 children aged 14 and younger are treated each year for injuries that occur on playground equipment and that nearly 45% of these injuries are considered severe; risks are often reduced in modern playgrounds that utilize fall-cushioning ground coverings along with smooth surfaces and rounded corners on the play structures. You may find shredded rubber instead of plain concrete under the swing set, covered tubing with grips instead of slick metal on the monkey bars, or soft material instead of sharp plastic on the "mesh" climbing wall. The slides, swings, bars, and other equipment tend to be made with consideration to local color palettes to match the landscape, making for a visually-attractive space and minimizing reflection from the sun that occurs with traditional aluminum or steel equipment and fixtures.

Additionally, if your family is seeking an opportunity to contribute to the environmental sustainability for your town, there may be a community-built playground project near you. In her article on the PTO Today website, Emily Graham states that "...schools find they can complete playgrounds for one-half to one-third the cost of having equipment professionally installed. More important, parent groups find that by doing the work themselves they are not just building a playground but building community." She describes various projects by local volunteers who came together in efforts that helped get new residents involved in their new neighborhoods that serve as publicized social events, and that help showcase local business persons who have professional skills related to construction--a valuable skill set to have on hand.

Your local playground is no longer just a sandbox or just an outlet for youthful energy but is now a gathering place for families as well as a source of community pride that offers opportunities for connection.

About the Author:
Herring of TerraBound Solutions offers a wide selection of the very best playground equipment innovations including loose parts play structures, climbing walls, and more!



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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