Articles

Appeared in RECREATION MANAGEMENT

A guide to playground diligence and maintenance By Stacy St. Clair

You've spent hours pouring over the latest safety recommendations. You followed the Consumer Production Safety Commission guidelines as if they were Gospel.

Now the top-of-line equipment has been installed. The structure has been checked—and rechecked—to ensure things are bolted and fastened properly.

You've done everything within your power to ensure the safest play structure available.

Your work here is done, right?

Nope. Not even close.

When Curtis Stoddard was 5, he climbed above the top beam on the playground swing.

When he slipped, a protruding bolt stuck into his thigh. His mom had a tough time freeing him to go to the ER. Stoddard grew up to become a playground contractor. Equipment is safer today, but to further emphasize the importance of safety he created the character of SLYDE® the Playground Hound. He modeled SLYDE® on Smokey the Bear, in hopes he would become a similar safety icon. SLYDE® says:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT and Specifier News
The Industry Magazine For Commercial Landscape Specifiers Nationwide!
Volume 19 Number 03
By Brian Barsuglia

Every child has the experience of romping around on a playground. Many childhood joys are attributed to swing sets and winding slides. While the experience is fun, it can also be dangerous. It may be surprising to discover that more than 200,000 injuries occur each year on playgrounds (according to the Consumer Product Safety Council). In recent years, equipment manufacturers have made strides to incorporate safety elements into playground design. But there is something else that can be done to increase the level of safety around playgrounds – education.