Iowa Playgrounds Get Free Padding

This play structure in Cherokee, Iowa was originally installed with a sand surface. Workers installed concrete slabs before laying down the rubber pads.

Schools, parks and other Iowa facilities can get free padded playground surfaces through a program run by the University of Northern Iowa's National Program for Playground Safety.

Over the past two years the program has put ?EUR??,,????'?????<

To receive the upgrade, participants must agree to share preparation and installation costs and to participate in a long-term study on accident rates.

Program applications can be filled out online at https://www.uni.edu/playground/. Winning applicants will be notified in May, 2005.

The Cherokee, Iowa playground is seen here after close to 2,500 square feet of rubber padding was installed as part of a state-funded program studying playground safety.