• Your outdoor play area should be considered your outdoor classroom. Children will spend hours playing outdoors developing physical creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.
  • The first consideration for the outdoor play area is SAFETY. Conduct monthly safety inspections of all outdoor play areas.
  • A well-planned outdoor area is not only a stimulating  and fun place to play; it is also an added value to your program.
  • The location of your playground should be approved first by zoning. Consider the most visible location for the playground so that it is inviting to families.
  • Regulations require specified square footage per child outdoors. Most states require separate play areas for different age groups.
  • Outdoor areas must be contained within a fence; there may be specific fencing requirements in your community.

Quality outdoor play areas have separate areas for a variety of activities:

  • Large, open, grassy areas for running and active games.
  • Areas for sand and water play.
  • Age-appropriate climbing structures.
  • Bike paths separate from major foot traffic patterns; play structures for role play.
  • Adequate storage space for outdoor play equipment.

Design features for safety and health of children should include:

  • Proper drainage of your outdoor areas.
  • Sturdy, child-safe fencing that meets construction requirements.
  • Cushioned surfaces under climbing structures, slides, and swings to break falls. It is recommended that you take on the one-time investment and expense for a high-quality cushioning surface.
  • Children need access to drinking water when outside.
  • An outdoor bathroom is a great aid to the supervision of children.
  • Consider short-term and long-term maintenance in your outdoor play design; include the cost of repairs and replacements in your budget.

PLAYGROUNDS - CHOOSING SAFE SURFACING

The surface under and around playground equipment can be a major factor in determining the injury-causing potential of a fall. It is obvious that a fall onto a shock-absorbing surface is less likely to cause a serious injury than a fall onto a hard surface. Because head impact injuries from a fall have the potential for life-threatening, the more shock-absorbing a surface can be, the more likelihood that the severity of the injury will be reduced. However, it should be recognized that injuries due to falls cannot be prevented no matter what playground surfacing material is used. (The paragraph above is taken from The Handbook for Public Playground Safety, distributed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.)

Surfacing Options:

  • Playground Quality Wood Chip
  • Cast-In Place/Pad Systems
  • Tile Systems
  • Pea Gravel
  • Sand

DO NOT INSTALL ANY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT OVER PAVED SURFACES SUCH AS CONCRETE OR ASPHALT.

The complete area, including the space under and around all playground equipment, must be covered with an impact-absorbing material. For guidelines and recommendations, consult the 1997 Handbook for Public Playground Safety published by:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, D.C. 20207

or for your convenience, call use for a copy of the current CPSC guidelines through our toll free number: 1-800-334-2014 or Email: Playground@Kaplanco.com