Serving in the Military can be a CUSHY job...

At least training can be cushioned.   Rubber mulch is a perfect ground cover for use in obstacle courses, training pits, and rope courses. Because of the amount of training injuries in the military, rubber mulch is the ground cover of choice. This can be the proper intervention needed to prevent injuries to our men and women while in training. Rubber mulch when applied at the correct depth will cushion their fall. Using rubber mulch in obstacle courses, training pits, and rope courses will help prevent those time and money prohibitive injuries.  For more information on RUBBER SURFACING

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Scorer's Table

With baseball season starting up, we've had a lot of inquiries into field furniture.   One of the more popular items has become the Scorer's Table with an attached bench.   All aluminum construction.  Features 10" anodized or powder coated aluminum seat plank with 18" ribbed aluminum table top. Assembly required. Note: Benches are shipped knock-down and require assembly on site.  This product ships by truck. Cannot be shipped to a PO Box, APO or FPO address. DunRite Playgrounds

Escalade Sports Recalls Oasis Playsets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


February 8, 2011

Release #11-120 Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 742-6009

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908





Escalade Sports Recalls Oasis Playsets Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.



Name of Product: Outdoor Playsets



Units: About 4,600



Manufacturer: Escalade Sports of Evansville, Ind.



Hazard: The swing seats on the playsets can crack and break in half, causing the user to fall to the ground.



Incidents/Injuries: Escalade Sports has received 24 reports of the seats breaking, no injuries have been reported.



Description: This recall involves belt-style swing seats on four models of Oasis Playsets: PG01W, PG02W, PG03W and PG04W. Model numbers are located on a plate on the swing's horizontal beam. The green plastic seats are about 26 inches long and are hung from green, plastic-coated chains. The swing seats have rounded ends with black grommets on each end. Printed on one side of the seat is:



MADE IN CHINA

GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR

ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED

DO NOT INSTALL IN AREAS WHERE

TEMPERATURES EXCEED 120DEG F

Printed on the other side of the seat is:



WARNING

IMPROPER USE

MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION OR VANDALISM

CAN DAMAGE SEAT AND LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY

FOR RESIDENTIAL

USE BY ONE CHILD



Sold by: Oasis distributors and dealers nationwide from April 2008 to December 2010 for between $1,500 and $2,200.



Manufactured in: China



Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these swing seats and contact Escalade Sports for free replacement swing seats.



Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Escalade Sports at (800) 742-6009 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.escaladesports.com. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at safetyinfo@escaladesports.com

Age Appropriate Play

What is Age-Appropriate?

For those that didn't go to school and get a degree in working with children there may be help. For those of us that learn by experience, we have found that children don't come with a user's manual. Mom taught me to use common sense. What is common to one may be a foreign concept to another. Where do you turn for information on what is "right" for the playground? Children need different activities and events based on their abilities. Using broad age groups is a good direction to look, but the key is that the equipment should be in line with the children in terms of their size, ability and developmental level. This will certainly be hard to achieve with a large audience of potential attendees. Any group of more than ONE is certain to have different skill levels and a variety of needs. The CPSC in their Handbook for Playground Safety describes some specific items for different age groups. BROAD guidelines are used for a reason. This list isn't meant to be everything. Common sense, training and supervision go a long way to enhance the big picture.

CHILDREN 2-5 The focus for this age group is social interaction; activities that make for great group fun, with just the right level of physical challenge. The 2-5 age group requires guard rails and barriers at much lower deck heights than older children. Deck heights for horizontal ladder launches may not be higher than 18", and the horizontal ladder itself cannot be higher than 60" above the surfacing.

Consider: Ramps, rung ladders, single file step ladders, slides, spiral slides up to 360 degrees, spring rockers, stairways, swings, ground level play events, panels

CHILDREN 5-12 Here our focus is more on physical challenge. Major muscle development is the source and inspiration for component and play equipment design. We've zeroed in on this group with challenging horizontal ladders, climbers and slides. Horizontal ladders may launch from decks up to 36" high and may be as high as 84" off the ground.

Consider: Arch climbers, chain or cable walks, horizontal ladders, slides, swings, sliding poles.

CHILDREN 2-12 Sometimes separate playgrounds for different age groups are not an option, so play structures must be created and designed to meet the needs of both age groups. To accommodate the needs of both age groups, both sets of guidelines must be met. It is best to limit use of the play structure to one age group at a time or, if not possible, you need to ensure that there is enough supervision to create a safe play environment for all the children. This age group tends to conflict with certain standards, so consult local, state or federal guidelines that may apply to your particular situation. The CPSC suggests that the layout of a playground should show distinctly separate areas for different age groups.

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What is ADA Compliance and why it is important for playgrounds?

What is ADA Compliance and Why it is Important for Playgrounds

Playtime contributes greatly to a child’s physical, mental, emotional and social growth. Until recent years children with disabilities have missed out on this very important aspect of development due to inaccessible playgrounds. In 1992, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 became effective. This federal law prohibits disability-based discrimination by states, local governments and private entities (such as restaurants or child-care centers) that provide public accommodation. The law expands and helps clarify Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It applies to new and existing play areas – meaning that you must bring all playgrounds into ADA compliance.

Since guidelines for bringing playgrounds into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were issued in the year 2000, playgrounds have become more than swings and slides. Newly built and altered playgrounds are now accessible to children of all abilities.

Designing a playground that provides an integrated play experience for children of all abilities is a real challenge. Involving users with disabilities is perhaps the most important step in creating a successful playground. It’s important to note that many amenities intended for users with disabilities will contribute to an overall improvement in safety and “user-friendly” design.

Access to at least 50 percent of the elevated play components is required. Minimum requirements are based on the number and type of ground level components and elevated play components provided. Access to ground level components is required to at least one of each type provided and in a number proportionate to elevated play components provided. Ramps, shorter step heights, roomier decks, hand rails and grab bars can enrich the play experience for children of all ages and abilities. Playground features are designed to promote imaginative, inclusive and interactive play.

An accessible playground means that it is as easy as possible for everyone to play, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Now, more than ever, to meet ADA guidelines and due to community pressure, playgrounds are being built with an eye towards accessibility and usability. Our certified playground designers will be able to assist you with these and many other design requirements.

Sherri M. Pope

Engineering Manager

Playland, International

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Concrete Under Play Equipment

I have a concrete pad (or asphalt) under my playground. What type of surfacing is allowed?

Loose fill materials (wood, rubber, sand, gravel) must NOT be installed over concrete or asphalt. Concrete or asphalt surfaces require that you install rubber tiles, mats or poured in place surfacing in your use zone. While this is a much greater initial expense than loose fill products, it is easier to maintain the proper depth of surface. Once purchased and properly installed, compaction and decomposition are much slower. Many owners find this class of material easier to inspect and maintain. The 2008 revision to CPSC guidelines recommends against installing loose fill over hard surface unless there are additional layers of protection added. This is not allowed in some state licensed facilities. The addition of extra protection, wear pads and additional height of containment border add to the cost of loose fill to a price level around the same as unitary surfacing. Maintenance costs will be incurred from continuous efforts to keep the surfacing level proper, membrane barrier intact and safely in place, and drainage subsurface properly installed.

For more information
sales@dunriteplaygrounds.com
http://www.dunriteplaygrounds.com/

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Selecting a Site For Your Playground

Where do I put my playground? Well, where do you want it? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers some advice in the Publication 325: Handbook for Playground Safety.

1. What is the travel pattern to and from the playground? Is there a door leading outdoors from your building or facility? Are there hazards in the way? Clear the hazards or pick a new location. What is a hazard? Crossing a parking lot or a remote location may be hazards.

2. What is nearby? Roads, traffic, lakes, ponds, streams, cliffs. This may mean a bi-directional concern. We don't want the children running off into the woods, into traffic, or into water. We also don't want those external issues joining a playground. Falling rock from placing equipment at the base of a cliff, stray vehicles out of control or flooding water may present danger to your children or your equipment. Building codes may address types of barriers that would be appropriate. A fence or hedge may define a perimeter but will do little to contain a car.

3. Sun Exposure: This is one that sometimes can be over the top. Pun intended. One state has guidelines that require licensed child care facilities to orient a slide so that it does not receive sun exposure. I can't figure out which part of the state this would be possible in, during daylight hours. Don't face the slide toward the west? If it is 100 degrees outside, does it matter what direction the slide faces? Consider natural shade from trees or buildings. Respect safety guidelines and distances. A tree may provide shade and may also provide a branch to climb or be struck by. Observe your site during various times of the day. Your buildings may offer shade in the morning or afternoon. A shade canopy may be part of your plan. They are available in many shapes and sizes to meet unique design needs.

4. Slope and Drainage: Some drainage is desired, but less than a two degree slope. You don't want materials to wash out. "A River Runs Through It" was a movie, not a playground. You may need some dirt-work to create a level playing area. If there are existing drainage patterns installation of a playground may change those plans. Placing your playground high on a high top might be a solution to drainage but creates problems in the travel pattern while running children fall going up or down a hill.

5. Accessibility: Do I need to meet ADA guidelines to allow access to the playground? Do I need a concrete walkway or crushed granite pathway to the playground? Children tromping through a grass or dirt field may have a negative impact on the carpet when they return from play.

6. Space: Do I have enough? The layout and pathways, even the landscaping should assist in identification of the route. Once on the playground distinct areas should be identified for each age group. How big is the equipment? Perhaps you have a piece of equipment in mind already, or a budget figure. Maybe you have a desired capacity for how many children you intend to be at play. If your goal suggests you need a certain space, you will have problems fitting the area into a smaller footprint.

7. Conflicting Activities: This goes along closely with space. As you create your design and layout, you don't want older children trampling younger children on their way to play. You don't want children running through the swing set to reach the slide. Moving equipment needs to go to the corner, side or edge of the layout. Slides exits should deposit the children in an uncongested area. Equipment selected will have specific use zone requirements. The slide you like may only be three feet wide, but needs fifteen feet of space.

8. Supervision: Can caregivers, parents or employees watch the children? If the playground forms a "L" shape around the corner of the building, it may be hard to watch children and monitor play activity. Are there shaded places available for parents or leaders. School principals have been surprised to find teachers huddled around the water fountain, at the building exit or under available shade. Plan for and encourage space, participation and involvement from adults.

9. Maintenance: Will the playground require replenishment of surfacing? Is there an accessible route for the initial installation and build? Can we get to the playground in the future? An interior courtyard may create a protected play area. When you have to run wheelbarrows of surfacing through the building you will remember next time.

Consult a playground professional. Extra effort up front will achieve better results later.

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