Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/10/2021

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Handbook for Playground Safety attentive supervision than older children; however, one should not rely on supervision alone to prevent injuries. Supervisors should understand the basics of playground safe- ty such as: • Checking for broken equipment and making sure children don't play on it. • Checking for and removing unsafe modifications, especial- ly ropes tied to equipment, before letting children play. • Checking for properly maintained protective surfacing. • Making sure children are wearing foot wear. • Watching and stopping dangerous horseplay, such as chil- dren throwing protective surfacing materials, jumping from heights, etc. • Watching for and stopping children from wandering away from the play area. 2.3 Selecting Equipment When selecting playground equipment, it is important to know the age range of the children who will be using the playground. Children at different ages and stages of develop- ment have different needs and abilities. Playgrounds should be designed to stimulate children and encourage them to develop new skills, but should be in scale with their sizes, abilities, and developmental levels. Consideration should also be given to providing play equipment that is accessible to children with disabilities and encourages integration with- in the playground. Table 1 shows the appropriate age range for various pieces of playground equipment. This is not an all -comprehensive list and, therefore, should not limit inclusion of current or newly designed equipment that is not specifically mentioned. For equipment listed in more than one group, there may be some modifications or restrictions based on age, so consult the specific recommendations in §5.3. TABLE 1. AGE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT Toddler —Under 2 • Climbing equipment under 32" high • Ramps • Single file step ladders • Slides* • Spiral slides less than 360° • Spring rockers • Stairways • Swings with full bucket seats Preschool — Ages 2-5 • Certain climbers** • Horizontal ladders less than or equal to 60" high for ages 4 and 5 • Merry-go-rounds • Ramps • Rung ladders • Single file step ladders • Slides* • Spiral slides up to 360° • Spring rockers • Stairways • Swings — belt, full bucket seats (2-4 years) & rotating tire 111,111 0"� Grade School — Ages 5-12 • Arch climbers • Chain or cable walks • Free standing climbing events with flexible parts • Fulcrum seesaws • Ladders — Horizontal, Rung, & Step • Overhead rings*** • Merry-go-rounds • Ramps • Ring treks • Slides* • Spiral slides more than one 360° turn • Stairways • Swings — belt & rotating tire • Track rides • Vertical sliding poles • See §5.3.6 ** See §5.3.2 *** See §5.3.2.5 7