Educators know that play is one of the most effective ways
for children to learn. That is why a well designed and installed playground is
an indispensable part of a school. Here, we provide some suggestions for School
Boards and PTAs to consider when choosing playground equipment and installing
play structures on their grounds.
Carry out a needs assessment
Before you start reviewing the possible equipment or
designs, it is essential to carry out a needs assessment. Some of the things to
consider should include:
- Age of the children using the playground
- Size of the required play structures, as well as furnishings such as benches and planters, and outdoor shelters
- Number of kids who will use the playground
- Special needs to accommodate disabilities
- Constraints of your physical environment.
An experienced playground consultant can offer insights on
other things that you need to consider before choosing the equipment for your
playground.
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| Playground structure at Milestone Day School, Waltham, MA |
Playground Equipment and Design
The ideal playground should give children exercise,
socialization, and learning opportunities. A great playground should have the
equipment and design to stimulate kids’ sense of adventure and their need to
explore and investigate. It should encourage kids to run, swing, climb, and
then do it again! There is an undeniable link between a healthy body and a
healthy mind, especially for growing kids.
An excellent playground equipment supplier can help you
choose the right equipment based on your needs. They can put together a
playground design and construction plan to make your dream playground a
reality!
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| Play Structure at St Mary School, Hampton, NH |
Playground Installation - Safety and Accessibility
Every parent needs assurance on the safety of their children
when using the playground. Playground safety includes not only the safety of
the play equipment, but also playground surfacing, and the overall safety of
the playground environment. An experienced certified playground safety
inspector can give you a good assessment after a site visit. He can also ensure
that your choice of playground equipment meets safety and accessibility
standards established by ASTM, CPSC and ADAAG.
Premier Park and Play is a highly reputable provider of
playground equipment and playground design and installation services. The company has designed and built many school playgrounds in New England. Owner
Doug Knotts has over 20 years of park & playground industry consulting
experience. He has a Master's Degree in Recreation, Sports and Leisure
Management from Northeastern University and has been an NPSI certified
playground safety inspector since 1995. Doug has a natural understanding of the
things that would excite a child, and applies it toward the design of
playgrounds. If
your school is looking to install a new playground, please visit our website at premierparkplay.com and contact Doug at premierparkplay@verizon.net or call 617-244-3317.
