Natural Play Environments vs. Built Environments
By: Eric Strickland

The current trend in playground development indicates a growing interest in providing better playgrounds and an increased awareness of playground safety. More and more unsafe play equipment is being replaced with better and safer equipment. More attention also is being given to the whole play environment, resulting in more comprehensive playground planning.

One recent trend is incorporating naturescapes along with manufactured equipment on playgrounds. Naturescapes evoke very positive images from childhood: adults think about climbing trees, playing in wooded areas, and building forts, clubhouses, or tree houses. All of these images contain play experiences that are appropriate for a wide variety of ages. Typically, however, when we think of those memories, we think only about the fun and not about the behind-the-scenes issues, which have to be resolved when trying to recreate those same play experiences for children. 

Obviously, if you already have a natural wooded area, some of your problems may be solved, but not all of them. If you try to create such an area, you will need to deal with issues that range from the obvious (picking non-poisonous plants) to the obscure (monitoring the acidity or alkalinity of the soil).

One of the major issues to address and find a resolution for before you create a naturescape is expense. I realize many people think you can avoid the cost associated with manufactured play equipment by simply creating a naturescape, but naturescapes are not inexpensive; it's just that the expense may be more spread out than concentrated. 

While it is not inexpensive to create a naturescape in the first place, the maintenance and replacement expenses can be considerable and, in the long run, may be more expensive than actually setting up the area. You may also find you spend as much money maintaining a complex, high-quality naturescape as you would spend in purchasing high-quality play equipment. The difference is that high-quality play equipment does not require near-constant maintenance, while naturescapes may.

You will have to provide maintenance that goes well beyond mere watering of plants if you want your initial enthusiasm—and your naturescape—to last beyond first blush. One local wooded area near a popular park has been so heavily used in the last year that it is estimated it will take more than a year for it to recover. Foot traffic and bike traffic take a heavy toll on nature. If your naturescape area is relatively small and there are a large number of users, you can expect high-cost and very frequent maintenance.

Maintaining a naturescape may include mowing and fertilizing grass, trimming shrubs and bushes, replacing weather-damaged and child-damaged plants, watering heavily during dry spells, controlling harmful or disease-carrying animals and rodents that are attracted to natural areas, and removing sticks and leaves and other plant debris. In addition to the above, you may find that your naturescape becomes unusable during certain times of the year, depending on the particular area of the country.

Since plants grow naturally in a variety of shapes and sizes, and since boulders don't usually come with "supervision peepholes," care must be taken to make sure nature doesn't interfere with nurture. Thick plant growth may create barriers to effective supervision. This can be overcome with appropriate limited trimming to maintain as much of the natural characteristics of plants as possible, while providing for appropriate supervision.

You may also find you will need to mount a focused education campaign to help parents understand the purpose of the naturescape. Parents who are used to seeing a more traditional playground may need help in understanding how the naturescape contributes to their children's development.

Most obviously, naturescapes often lack the predictable climbing and swinging experiences that young children need as they are developing strength, coordination, and related skills. While it is true that children can climb on rocks and logs and similar natural items, there are several factors to consider in taking this approach. Safety, of course, is paramount.  These elements, while challenging, may not offer an appropriate level of predictability for young climbers, thereby compromising safety. Additionally, finding the right tree trunk or boulder and moving it to your site may be just as expensive as purchasing and installing new play equipment.

So, if you don't have the funds for a comprehensive playground and you don't have the resources to maintain a comprehensive naturescape, what can you do? Plenty! You can still create a very developmentally appropriate playground, one that is less expensive in upfront costs and less expensive to maintain in the long term. You will have to think outside the box to be successful.

Recognize that children need to climb. We see that with very young children as they climb steps, pull up on chairs and coffee tables, and in countless other ways. The mistake playground owners often make is in putting too much emphasis on a large composite climbing structure to the exclusion of other more varied forms of play. Children need climbing, but a small composite structure with a single slide and multiple varied climbers can be better than a huge structure, especially for young children. Remember, too, the larger the structure, the larger the use zone area and the more expensive it will be. Select a small, well-designed composite structure and then supplement with other varied play experiences.

One of the best ways to add variety and complexity is through the use of loose parts. Loose parts (blocks, planks, tires, boxes, crates) allow children to stack, build, and create.  They provide for language-rich play opportunities and give children practical experience in using social skills (leadership, sharing, turn-taking, cooperation) as well as cognitive skills like problem solving and creativity.

Loose parts can also involve the use of natural elements to augment manufactured parts (blocks and planks) and "found parts" (crates and tires). For example, short cedar poles with bark still on can be used along with planks. Cross-cut sections of tree trunks can be used along with tires when "round" items are needed in construction. Bags of raked leaves or lawn clippings can be dumped into the loose parts play area to add additional texture and to help reduce wear to the grass in the area.

You can provide children with opportunities to experience nature through well-planned gardening experiences and the use of native-plant zones. Create a variety of small garden plots, preferably raised beds (for better drainage) using natural elements. Rounded river rocks and logs can be used to create the borders. Make the plots narrow enough for children to be able to reach into the center without having to walk into the planted area. Having several plots will allow you to work with children in smaller groups. Children can help plant and harvest food crops as well as flowers.

Find out what plants are native to your area and create a native plants zone. Native plants will thrive better than "imported ones" and will require less maintenance.

No one approach to playground development will meet all the programmatic goals for the wide variety of early childhood programs and program locations. Combining limited elements of naturescapes with carefully selected equipment and a wide variety of loose parts may give the most comprehensive and developmentally appropriate "bang for your buck."

Eric Strickland, PhD, is the founder and chairman of Grounds For Play, www.groundsforplay.com.

Case Study
McPherson Church of the Brethren
McPherson, Kansas
By Eric Torrey

In 2007, McPherson Church of the Brethren in McPherson, Kansas, put together a five-member planning committee to explore playground equipment options for the church preschool. McPherson Church of the Brethren was founded in 1885 and currently has a 450-member congregation.

Its preschool, Good Beginnings, had 60 children enrolled and needed to replace its existing playground. A new playground would be the third for the preschool that opened its doors 26 years ago.

"What we had was an older wooden structure with two decks, one slide, and a steering wheel. We also had a tire swing, and many old tires throughout the yard," says Carol Temple, preschool director and planning committee member. "While the children loved climbing on the old tires, they ended up getting black all over themselves and their clothes."

And, even though holes had been drilled in the tires for drainage, there were still many places where water collected inside the tires – pointed out during a yearly inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

While the new playground would be open to all church children, especially on Sunday and Wednesday nights, for licensing purposes, it had to be designated as the preschool's playground and designed to be age-appropriate for children ages 3-5.

Wish List
The planning committee began its task by visiting local playgrounds – to research what was already available nearby and to start making a list of the things they liked/disliked. Temple also met with her teaching staff to get their input, which she presented to the committee.

During this research phase, Sarah Hendricks, planning committee member and subsequent playground committee chair) came across an advertisement for Safeplay Systems, www.safeplaysystems.com. Seeing that the advertised play structures were made from post-consumer recycled milk jugs appealed to her, as she knew it would to the rest of the church members.

In February 2008, Sarah called Safeplay Systems, where she was connected with Bill Orser, director of new business development. After discussing the proposed playground project, the two discussed equipment, options, and pricing.

Choosing a Partner
Pleased with what she had seen and learned, and with a better understanding of the funding that would be needed to provide for all the items on the committee's wish list, Hendricks faxed a rough drawing of the playground site to Orser. This sketch showed existing features of the site – including a sidewalk that bisected the site and a 24' X 24' basketball court that might or might not be removed.

Starting with the wish list and a proposed budget, Orser designed a custom play structure and had 3-D images of the structure created. He also put together a preliminary site plan. The proposed design met all applicable CPSC and ASTM guidelines, as well as Kansas State playground safety regulations. Within days, Bill e-mailed an initial playground proposal to Sarah, including pricing, play structure design, 3-D images of the structure, a site plan, and photos of additional items that were included in the plan – sandbox with roof, swings, tire swing, two stand-alone climbers, benches, and a trash receptacle.

After presenting the playground proposal to all interested parties, Hendricks had some questions. Within 48 hours, Bill e-mailed back a revised site plan.

"One of the neatest things was Bill's willingness to adapt his drawings to accommodate our suggestions," says Temple.

"I could not believe how revisions were handled so easily and quickly," adds Hendricks. "I knew whenever I emailed Bill that I would get a response within 48 hours, although he usually responded the very same day."

Meeting All Customer Requirements
Outstanding customer service paid off. The latest playground proposal had been approved at Sunday's congregational meeting and funding support was already coming in.

Of course, revisions continued – with the same ease as always. It was decided to remove a proposed shade structure when some of the church members offered to build a gazebo over the sandbox instead. To save money, church members also volunteered to demo the existing sidewalk and then frame and pour a new cement trike track. Volunteers would also install borders and fencing. The senior youth group offered to install an adjustable basketball hoop and backboard, which can be lowered to toddler height for the preschool children, and then raised to regulation height for the older kids to use. The church purchased playground mulch directly from a local source, which would be spread to the appropriate thickness by volunteers once the playground structures were all installed.

Installing the playground as a community-build project was considered as a potential cost-cutting measure, but the final decision was to have the playground equipment installed by one of Safeplay Systems' NSPI Certified Playground Safety Inspectors.

The final playground design and proposal were approved and signed, down payment was made, volunteers cleared and prepared the site, and the playground was shipped and installed. After working together for more than six months on this project, the arrival of the playground installer was the first time someone from Safeplay Systems met face to face with someone from McPherson Church of the Brethren.

Fundraising Fun
While most of the funding for the playground came from grants and donations, one fundraiser stands out – the Tricycle Road Rally.

Sheets were sent home with children seeking sponsors willing to donate a set amount for each lap around the Trike Track that a student completed. The number of laps allowed was limited to five. On the evening of the Road Rally, preschool students arrived bringing their own bikes. Each child participating was presented with a flag that the teachers had made, and teachers/parents stood around the track waving flags and cheering for each child. Final tally on funds raised by these young people was $639.

"The Road Rally was a huge success," says Carol. "And the church appreciated how the event broadened the financial support network. While we are always asking for support from church members and parents, many of the Road Rally sponsors were grandparents, aunts/uncles, and neighbors."

Final Verdict
Whether working on a design face-to-face, or as in this case email-to-email, between people more than 800 miles apart, there is always the one overriding question. How does the finished playground compare to the drawings and mental image the customer envisioned?

"I had a fairly good idea of how it would look, I thought, but the finished product exceeded my expectations," says Hendricks.

Eric Torrey is the director of marketing for Safeplay Systems, www.safeplaysystems.com.

Product Roundup

Landscape Structures
Landscape Structures Inc. has introduced The Peak Natural Climber and The Stepper Natural Climbing Stone. Designed especially for beginning climbers, these versatile, natural elements can be integrated with a new or existing PlayBooster or PlayShaper playstructure, featured as an independent play event, or grouped together in clusters. The Peak and The Stepper are created from Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete for the look and feel of natural rock.
www.playlsi.com

GameTime's RockScape
GameTime's RockScape allows you to create a dramatic panorama of rock formations with natural slate textures and formed handholds, providing all the fun of rock climbing without the hard, sharp edges. Only RockScape lets you stack the individual pieces to create a variety of freestanding rock climbers. You can also connect them to your play system to create links between decks or climbing attachments at a variety of deck heights. Available in Granite or Sandstone, RockScape utilizes recycled material for greater sustainability, promotes intergenerational play, and is affordable. 
www.gametime.com

SofTILE KrosLOCK from SofSurfaces
SofTILE KrosLOCK has been developed, engineered, and thoroughly tested to meet the demands of today's most informed playground surfacing consumer. In 1993, SofSURFACES launched the industry's first locking safety tile. In 1999, SofSURFACES pioneered radical design changes to become the first manufacturer to engineer durability into their products design. In 2006, SofSURFACES announced the industry's first warranty, including compliance to the latest fall protection standards.
www.sofsurfaces.com

Kidstuff Playsystems
Kidstuff Playsystems has been manufacturing top-quality, certified playground equipment in Gary, Indiana, for 25 years. Their equipment is both IPEMA and ISO certified. Kidstuff Playsystems offers a full service to its customers, including playground design work, installation, and safety surfacing. That's why their motto is, "You can't buy a safer, better, or tougher playsystem." Visit their Web site for their sale flyer, offering 25% off of many of the company's most popular items.      
www.kidstuffplaysystems

American Swing Products
American Swing Products has announced that it is now offering new complete sets that are great for small areas. They provide hours of fun with a range of activities. They are made of durable plastic that is very strong and safe. They come in bright, non-fading colors that last and last. American Swings is offering several different configurations to fit any size or need. 
www.americanswing.com

Progressive Design Playgrounds
Progressive Design Playgrounds designs and manufactures state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly commercial children's play structures and recreation site furnishings. With a strong commitment to providing fun and safe play environments for children as well as to the preservation of the earth's natural resources, Progressive Design Playgrounds uses 100% recycled plastic to create bright and colorful play structures and other site amenities that are safe and durable.
www.pdplay.com

Playground Grass by ForeverLawn
Playground Grass by ForeverLawn is lush, beautiful synthetic grass that is safe for kids to play on and cost effective. This playground surface is ASTM 1292 safety rated to fall heights of 12 feet, is ADA accessible, and has antimicrobial protection available for a cleaner, safer environment. Imagine this...No more complaints about dirt on the kids and their clothes. No more abrasive sand tracked into the facility. No more raking of mulch, sand, or rubber to maintain your safety rating. This is what kids were meant to play on.
www.playgroundgrass.com

Play Mart
Play Mart's playgrounds contain 100% recycled plastic with a 100-year warranty. They are recovering yesterday's plastics for today's play – plastic reclaimed from landfills becomes playground equipment. Low-maintenance recycled plastic lumber means no fading, no chipping, and easy cleaning. Play Mart celebrates 28 years of designing and manufacturing creative, age-group -pecific play systems, fitness equipment, swings, site amenities, and ADA-accessible components that meet and exceed current safety standards.
www.playmart.com

EnvyLawn
EnvyLawn Playground turf is an ideal way to provide kids with a natural-looking safety surface for playgrounds of all types. EnvyLawn can achieve fall height ratings of up to 12 feet and is available for IPEMA certification. All EnvyLawn styles are lead-free and are 100% recyclable, so your playground surface can be both safe and environmentally friendly.
 www.envylawn.com

 BigToys
BigToys' Summit Series offers a new twist on its longstanding approach to creating barrier-free playground designs that also provide both social and physical play opportunities. Recognizable activities are grouped to fit in reduced spaces and are arranged to be accessible from ground level. The open architecture of the Summit Series encourages exploration of the entire structure, while also maximizing site lines allowing for easy supervision.
www.bigtoys.com

International Play Company
International Play Company (IPC) researched the outdoor market exhaustively prior to introducing its new "heavy-duty" line of outdoor play structures. IPC reviewed countless designs and numerous installations before deciding on a product line that is challenging, safe, and built to last. IPC's Outdoor Products include heavily reinforced decks. The product line also includes redesigned heavy duty clamping systems, oversized uprights, and engineered metal structural elements. 
www.iplayco.com

EcoPlay Playgrounds from Safeplay Systems
Custom-designed to meet every customer's unique requirements, EcoPlay Playgrounds from Safeplay Systems are manufactured from post-consumer, recycled HDPE plastic (milk jugs). The average play structure keeps 30,000 milk jugs out of landfill. EcoPlay is impermeable to water, cannot be eaten by insects, never needs painting or sealing, and won't splinter, crack, swell, or rust, making it virtually maintenance free. EcoPlay Playgrounds are also PVC-free.
www.safeplaysystems.com

SoftLawn from Synthetic Turf International
Safety is not child's play. Optimize any surface with STI's SoftLawn. SoftLawn is a lush, entirely chemical and pesticide-free play surface. From expert design and installation to industry-leading customer service, STI's staff, including a certified playground safety specialist, has you covered. STI's international distributor network serves you in any location. It is ADA-compliant and consistent with CPSC Requirements.
www.synthetic-turf.com

A+ Playgrounds
A+ Playgrounds sells and installs indoor and outdoor playground equipment for all types of commercial locations, including metal and recycled plastic play structures, slides and water slides, shade structures, inflatables, ground covers, custom playhouses, and accessories. With the value added partnerships and product sourcing availabilities, almost everything you require for your church can be found through their network of suppliers and trade associations. 
www.Aplusplaygrounds.com

Surface America
Surface America, a leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry, has been transforming what America plays on since 1993. Surface America's playground surfacing products are IPEMA Certifiedand include poured-in-place, molded tiles, and synthetic grass with infill. Trail and pathway rubber surfacing is poured onsite and provides ideal shock absorption. Other outdoor applications include speckled roll goods, tiles and poured urethane for water play areas, walkways, and rooftops.
www.surfaceamerica.com