Playgrounds, Wellness, and Physical Equipment
Parks and recreation areas provide free options for healthy activity to individuals and families alike. This area contains resources applicable to maintenance of playgrounds, wellness circuits, and other types of physical equipment within our parks.
Incorporating Natural Elements into Play Spaces: Trends and Benefits
Michelle Keyser
Learn more about this back-to-basics natural trend for playgrounds
The Latest in Playground Grounds
Kenneth Kutska
Learn about new standards created to meet the latest trends in playgrounds, higher structures, and trolley rides.
Prepare for Padel
Mary Helen Sprecher
There is a new court sport making its way across the country. Learn more about this here.
Beyond the Field; Pickleball Design Solutions
Michael Moonan
Pickleball demand is up. Learn some best practices for site selection and design.
Planning a Dog Park? Start Here
Mary Helen Sprecher
Dog parks are here to stay, and surfacing is critical to the experience for all. Learn more about this feature and others here.
Summertime Health Dangers for Outdoor Workers
Dan Hendey, CPRE, CPSI, Director, The Maintenance Institute
7 Things Every Playground Owner Should Know About Accessibility
US Access Board, 2014
The purpose of this guide is to provide practicalinformation that every public playground ownershould know about the accessibility of theirplayground surfaces.
ADA Implications in Facility Layout
Presenter: Kimberly Paarlberg, RA, 2018
This is a slide deck from a presentation focusing on 2017 updates to ICC A117.1 - Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
Guide on Proper Installation & Maintenance of Playground Surfacing
IPMEA, 2013
Informative guide on playground surfacing materials
Engineered Wood Fiber Accessibility Testing
Henderson Consulting Services, 2013
A study of the accessibility of EWF surfaces which were properly installed according to supplier’sinstructions was initiated by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). This paper will review the preliminary findings from this study.
Installation for Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) to meet ADA Requirements
IPMEA, 2021
IPEMA believes that following the installation and maintenance recommendations below will result in greater accessibility and compliance with ADA requirements for EWF accessible surfacing under and around playground equipment.
Burn Safety Awareness on Playgrounds
Consumer Product Safety Council, 2012
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to be aware of the risk of thermalburns from playground equipment.
Strangulation Hazard with Playground Cargo Nets
Consumer Product Safety Council, 2012
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC) advises parents to check outdoor play equipment with cargo nets before allowing children to climb on them.
SAMPLE - Parks Quality Standards Manual
Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, 2019
It is the intent of this manual to clearly identify expectations relative to desired maintenance and to provide employees with the basic information and direction needed to effectively perform their work.
SAMPLE - RFP for Parks, Facilities, and Playgrounds Master Plan
City of Goleta, 2017
The City seeks to retain the services of a consultant firm, or firms working in partnership, to carry out a comprehensive Parks, Facilities and Playgrounds Master Plan. This effort will require close coordination with the City and other community special interest groups. The main objectives of the process are to create a planning document for parks that will address capital improvements and ADA accessibility projects, priorities, funding strategies, maintenance standards and costs.
