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Risky Playground Fun

July 22, 2011 by learningstructures

Our playground designs always begin by using children’s ideas.  That can be a challenge, considering that designers need to balance creative playground design, with strict safety guidelines.  Over the years, we have pushed the envelope right to the very edge – creating exciting playgrounds that encourage large muscle development, cooperative play and breathless, active fun. 

Climbing to great heights!

Our philosophy is that we do children a disservice by designing playground equipment that is static and dull.

Today, researchers are agreeing with our design philosophy.  Studies show that kids need risks on the playground for healthy emotional development, and helicopter parents are being urged to quit hovering – and to let their kids play.

Zip lines propell kids 40-feet across the playground

Having recently designed a 25-foot long, two-kid wide slide on the embankment of a hill – and an 8-foot tall climbing wall to a whimsical castle – our designers couldn’t agree more.

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Is it time to play yet?

February 8, 2011 by learningstructures

Over a foot of snow blankets a New Hampshire playground.

Here in New England, snow and ice is a regular occurrence this time of year.  What’s been surprising is to see the blanket of snow covering the rest of the country.

As cheerless the sight, this is the season of unoccupied playgrounds.  A time of year when snow and ice accumulates on play equipment, and structures and events are blocked by the frosty white stuff.  Oh sure, you will still find the occasional kiddo – braving the frosty conditions to traverse the slush to swing on her favorite swing set, or take a cold ride down a slick slide.  But is the ice and snow encrusted playground a safe place to play?

Lonely swings can hardly wait till spring.

Most playground rules signs will state that playing on snowy and icy conditions is not advised, because the playground is not at its top, safe condition.  Decks and transfer points are slick with ice and snow.  Movable parts are frozen.  Slide exits are blocked with snow.  And most importantly, resilient ground surfacing is frozen solid, reducing the impact attenuation properties.  There is nothing in place to soften a fall.

As gloomy as an unused playground appears to be during the snowy winter months, for safety’s sake — wait a few more weeks to enjoy the fun.

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Artwork on the Playground

January 21, 2011 by learningstructures

Everyone can agree that creating artwork on the playground is aesthetically beautiful, but whimsical art serves other purposes as well including playground fundraising and community outreach.

Involving children in the creation of playground artwork honors their creativity and makes their play environment more meaningful.  Asking local artists to create a mural or mosaic for the playground brings more community into the fold.  Often, artists will be willing to help lead a volunteer effort to complete a mural that serves as a reminder of the occasion, or celebrates local history or culture.  In all cases, artwork builds ownership into the playground project.

Playground Fundraiser

Artwork on the playground can also serve as a unique playground fundraiser.  Art tiles can be sponsored by an individual, family or business for $25 to $50 with the intention of creating their own little work of art.  These art tiles not only adorn the playground, but they become permanent reminder of families’ generosity towards playground fundraising.

 

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Happy Holidays from The Playground Blog

December 20, 2010 by learningstructures

It’s the unity in community that makes it work.

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The (lasting) POWER of Community

December 14, 2010 by learningstructures

One of the most unique aspects of building a community built playground is the power of community. Having built thousands of playgrounds across the United States and abroad, it is spectacular to see this effect take hold in each community.

We received a call the other day that is worth sharing with blog readers, because it really illustrates the lasting impression that a community built playground makes.

Matt from Virginia built a playground with Learning Structures in 2002. Matt’s a father of two, and he volunteered as a Dad in the community. He witnessed firsthand the engagement of the community and he was struck by a few major elements of our process, which he agreed to share with our readers:

  • The first planning day when Learning Structures came to the community, they collected ideas from the kids through crayon drawings. A few weeks later they came back with a beautiful playground design that incorporated everything the kids had dreamed up! It was amazing – the children were immediately engaged, and seeing their excitement really helped to fuel our fundraising efforts.
  • The playground site underwent an amazing transformation. The first day we showed up, the ground was bare, wood was stacked against the school, tools were laid out along tables, and volunteers were eager to get started.  Looking around, it was difficult to imagine local volunteers building an enormous playground in just 3 days. But, hour by hour, we worked together, neighbors working side by side, with a common goal: build a beautiful playground for our children. It was nothing like I ever experienced. We went from nothing to a magnificent playground in just 3 days.
  • As a volunteer, you’re just really proud of it. You step back and say, I built this, I built this with friends, neighbors and folks I didn’t know before.  We did it together. It’s something to be proud of, and the experience stays with the community ‘till this day.
  • It was a great experience and it has always been in my mind. I’ve just been waiting for an opportunity to bring the experience to another community through my work with non-profits. It truly created a lasting impression.

The power of community is something that does not fade. We invite you to take that next step in bringing the community built playground experience to your neighborhood. The result is a memorable, lasting experience, and a beautiful structure that children will love, and parents will be proud of.

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Kids Generate the Most Unique and Creative Playground Ideas

August 20, 2010 by learningstructures

Having just returned from a playground planning day, our design team was reminded that kids generate the most unique and creative playground ideas! Their ideas and drawings lead to new and exciting playgrounds here at Learning Structures.

"Rocket Towers" - an 8 year old's idea for the new school playground.

"Rocket Towers" come to life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why is this important? Why give kids the opportunity to design their own playground? Consider the following 3 reasons:

#1 It adds meaning to kids’ play environments.
As a child, imagine playing on a playground that bears your fingerprints – a playground that you had an important part in creating. When kids design ideas are transformed into a dynamic playground, kids understand that their ideas are important. All they have to do is look at their playground to know that their creative ideas are validated and affirmed.

#2 Kids know what they like.
Sure, we can drop play events into a playground design, no sweat. But will kids enjoy the components? Will they want to come back for more and more? Will they be eager to hit the playground at recess? If kids help design the play events and activities are on their playground, they are more likely to enjoy imaginative, active, fun play.

#3 Kids take ownership in the playground.
When kids help design the playground and their parents come out to help build the playground, ownership of the playground is transferred to the children. They are less apt to vandalize their playground, and they will work to keep it attractive and maintained.

For more information about involving the children in your community in the playground building process, contact Learning Structures.

"Rainbow Slide" - an original creation of 7 year-old Lucy from Ohio.

"Rainbow Slide" comes to life!

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Where there’s a WILL, there’s a way

May 12, 2010 by learningstructures

"The residents of the Mustard Seed were thrilled with the final result," says Eagle Scout Will Keeler

Last year, 14 year-old Will Keeler contacted our office to tell us that he was working on his Eagle Scout project.  His vision was to create something special for the residents at the Mustard Seed, a group home that provides a loving environment for people with developmental disabilities.  Residents at the Mustard Seed enjoy making music, and their Bells of Faith Handbell Choir is a testament to their musical talent and abilities.  Will decided it would be special to celebrate their love of music for his Eagle Scout project.

Will's Eagle Scout project

Eagle Scout Will Keeler stands proudly next to his Music Wall at the Mustard Seed.

Having visited a Learning Structures community-built playground in Jackson, MI, Will was especially interested in the Music Wall structure.  He was confident that the residents at the Mustard Seed would enjoy an outdoor element that creates chime-like music using 8 notes.  Despite company policies to not share designs of our play structures (this is purely for safety and liability) the staff was eager to make an exception for Will’s special project.

Bear in mind, our Music Wall structure is not a simple, do-it-yourself project.  Hundreds of details are included in the design for the Music Wall, the tool list includes 20 items, and complex lumber cutting and measuring is needed to complete the project successfully.  Our staff asked each other – can Will do it?  As an aside, during a community-built playground project, 4 volunteers are typically assigned to build a Music Wall structure, and it takes a couple of days to complete!  We knew Will had his work cut out for him.

This week we learned that Will’s Eagle Scout Music Wall project was a complete success.  He worked hard to get his project approved.  He fundraised the money to purchase materials for the project.  And finally, he worked diligently to build a beautiful Music Wall for the residents of the Mustard Seed.  Will did much more than earn his Eagle Scout standing; he left behind a meaningful, lasting resource for the Mustard Seed for years to come.  Way to go, Will!!

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The Human Gnomon Project

May 3, 2010 by learningstructures

Human Sundials Celebrate Sunshine and Tap Into the Ancient Art of Telling Time.

It's 10:00 a.m. on the playground!

Thousands of years ago, Sumerians in Mesopotamia used gnomons (a stationary point on the ground) to project shadows from the sun to determine the time of day and year.  Sundials are the oldest time measurement device and an ancient relic of science. Learning Structures, Inc., a pioneer in using community activism to transform public spaces, has created the “Human Gnomon Project” to assist schools and communities in designing and creating their own human sundials.  A human sundial relies on a person as the gnomon, projecting the individual’s shadow on clock numbers to reveal an accurate time of day.

Learning Structures designs human sundials for communities across the country, including schools in Baltimore and Arizona.  “Spring weather means sunshine and longer days.  Human sundials provide kids with insight into math, science  and an ancient  time-telling tool that is exciting and interactive,” states Joe Cicirelli, president of Learning Structures.  Every geographic area requires custom-designed measurements and coordinates to successfully create the human sundial.  Learning Structures designs the precise details for each site and unique templates are created for every client.  Using the details and templates, kids and volunteers paint images on asphalt, create concrete mosaic images for their sundial, or recycled rubber mats and numbers can be installed anywhere on a playground, quiet garden area, or a public park.  Call Learning Structures for more details at 800-533-1553 or visit their website: www.learningstructures.com

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It’s Playground Safety Week: April 26-30!

April 26, 2010 by learningstructures

Ah, it’s spring! The sun shines bright, days are longer, and children are swarming the playground. Spring also presents an important week in the playground world: April 26-30 is National Playground Safety Week! It’s a perfect time to focus on safe play environments for children and to review the basic checklist that helps keep a playground safe:

  • Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.
  • Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends; in back and front; twice the height of the suspending bar.
  • Make sure play structures more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart.
  • Check for dangerous hardware, like open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends.
  • Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
  • Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
  • Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
  • Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
  • Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition.
  • Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they’re safe.

The most important safety precaution is to check for inadequate ground surfacing. According to the NPPS, 70% of playground injuries are the result of a fall. Replenishing the ground surfacing across the playground can dramatically reduce the risk of serious injuries.

As you walk through the playground, pay attention to any broken pieces of equipment or loose fasteners. With the warm weather, unwanted pests may find your playground a delightful place to build their nests. A natural, mint based pest spray will help keep the playground safe from these unwanted guests.

For more information regarding playground safety and National Playground Safety week, visit the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS).

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Magical Playground Tree Houses

February 16, 2010 by learningstructures

Treehouse playground in giant eucalyptus tree. Designed and built by Learning Structures.

Snow-pocalypse pummeled the Mid-Atlantic States last week, and here in the Northeast, the white stuff continues to fall.  However, our playground design team is warmed by visions of upcoming spring playground building that will include fitness trails, school gardens, and tree houses.  In fact, tree houses are increasingly popping up on our playground designs – and for good reason.

Richard Louv, award-winning author of Last Child in the Woods, extols the virtue of tree houses, “I have a soft spot in my heart for tree houses, which have always imparted certain magic and practical knowledge.”  Magic is a great description for these whimsical, elevated spaces.  Louv continues by explaining that his childhood tree house was transformed into a galleon, a spaceship, and even Fort Apache.  There is no limit to imaginative play when a child plays in a tree house!

The view from high above a playground tree house

Natural site elements like trees are encouraged in community-built playground designs.  Playgrounds with decks and towers can be built around a tree, without ever disturbing the tree’s root system, or piercing the tree with harmful fasteners.  Natural, leafy tree canopies provide protection from harmful UV rays on children, and create a cool playground get-away from the sun.

Don’t let a playground company talk you into a stark, flat, treeless site for your playground.  Retaining natural elements like trees on your playscape will bring children closer to nature and play.  Despite all the snow this season — you’ll be warmed by visions of tree houses, too.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

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