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.
How Inspections Create Organizational Value
Scott Belair, CCPI, CPSI
Don’t run away from Track and field issues, Read about them here.
Risky Play, Real Benefits
Tony Norquist
Several videos on how to adjust Gym Equipment.
Climber Safety; Know the Ropes
Berliner Play Equipment Informational
Short guide on rope safety and maintenance. Provided by Anna Ranck during PRPS Annual Conference 2026
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act
Andrew M. Loza and Debra Wolf Goldstein, Esq. (2019). Justin Hollinger, Esq., and Loza updated (2026)
Agencies rights on public Use.
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.
