Around the Playground

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11 ASTM Playground Standards ?EUR??,,????'?????<

There are currently 11 ASTM playground standards www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf. In 2008, the handbook was updated based on comments from members of the ASTM F15 playground committees.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission?EUR??,,????'?????<Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment (ASTM F1292) was first published. The original handbook was replaced by a single volume containing recommendations based on a COMSIS Corp. report to the CPSC (?EUR??,,????'?????<

CPSC strongly recommends against installing playgrounds over hard surfaces unless the installation adds over the hard surface 3-6 inch base layer of loose-fill (for drainage), then a layer of geotextile cloth, on top of which should be a loose-fill layer meeting the specifications in Table 2. Impact attenuating mats should be embedded in the loose-fill layer under high traffic areas, e.g., under swings, at slide exits.

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GameTime?EUR??,,????'?????<

A priority of the EveryBODY Plays program is to ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Photo: GameTime

In the playground, GameTime?EUR??,,????'?????<

The company states: ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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The EveryBODY Plays Program Guide describes each principle of inclusive design, the guidelines, benefits, application examples, and a planning checklist.

Bob Farnsworth, CEO of GameTime?EUR??,,????'?????<

To find out more about the EveryBODY Plays Program Guide, go to www.gametime.com/universalplay/index.html

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Recycled Tires in Missouri

Tire-derived products are used in and for these purposes and more: accessibility ramps/paths; drains; erosion control; floor mats and tiles; horse stalls/arenas; interior flooring; landscape materials; office supplies; railroad crossings; mulch/bark; asphalt; sidewalks; soil amendments; sound barriers; speed bumps; surfacing; traffic cones; tree care.
Photo: University of Buffalo

In the July LASN Letters section, Jack Rossi, RLA, of Strafford, Vermont expressed his ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri) reports that several area school districts, through a $95,000 Scrap Tire Playground Surfacing Material grant, will install playground cover made of scrap tires. The grant is through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and, of course, promotes the use of recycled scrap tires for playground cover or surfacing material for running tracks, walking trails or other surfacing projects.

The Republic Early Childhood Center and the West Plains elementary and middle schools will receive funding through the program.

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Physician Coalition to Build ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Salt Lake Tribune reports the city council has agreed to put up $75,000 toward a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The project will be the physician-led group?EUR??,,????'?????<

The coalition asserts it found evidence of high childhood-injury rates in the South Salt Lake area.

Steve Rogers, MD, a member of the coalition, reports the group has secured $90,000 in private funding for the playground, including a $70,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation, plus $10,000 has been donated for maintenance. South Salt Lake will apply $48,000 in federal grants on top of the $75,000 in city funds.

Fitts Park already has two small play areas, which will mostly remain in place. The new playground is scheduled for a Sept. 14, 2008 installation. The Injury Free Coalition will provide the design, which features ample viewing areas for parents and materials engineered to resist wear-and-tear and to minimize scrapes and cuts. The jungle gym, for instance, has an eight-foot climbing wall, swing set and a giant dragon that sits on ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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KIDK-TV in Idaho Falls, Idaho reports a common safety concern for schools across the country. Some playgrounds in the Bonneville Joint School District are deemed in a dangerous state of disrepair?EUR??,,????'?????<

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