Author: Martin Sitler, CPSI
Issue: Spring 2005
In 1997 I attended a training program through NRPA called
the National Playground Safety Institute. I had been working in the field
of Parks & Recreation full-time for ten years. Our community was about
to undertake the construction of a playground being donated by a family
in the memory of their son. I thought that this educational program might
be beneficial. I did not expect to gain the considerable amount of information
that I did from the three day course. I was surprised to find out that
even my own community had a long way to go towards compliance and more
importantly safety of our playgrounds. I have attended this program and
recertified twice since 1997.
In the fall of 2004 I was finishing my Master’s of Management degree
at Cambridge College. I decided to write my thesis on a subject that still
interested me professionally and personally: Playground Safety. I work
in the town that I grew up in and my children are playing at the same
playgrounds that I used as a child; so playground safety affects many
aspects of my life. The survey was a part of my thesis project but it
was much more than that. The survey is a tool for every community they
can quickly and objectively evaluate their level of safety.
The Playground Safety Survey consisted of ten questions each with a rating
of one to five points. The best total score being fifty points and the
worst score being ten points (one point for each of the ten questions).
To date I have received nearly thirty responses to the survey. The scores
ranged from 17 to 44 points. Many respondents scored their facilities
in the high thirties and low forties, but a few scored in the twenties
and even a few teens.
The survey collected data in the areas of inventory/initial inspection,
hazards, surfacing & use zones, training of staff and maintenance.
Each of these topics is essential to an overall safety program for playgrounds.
A score of thirty-five or more points (out of 50 possible) was considered
to be very good. Organizations that scored in the “very good”
range demonstrated an understanding and commitment to safety standards.
Many towns that scored well indicated that they had an NPSI certified
person. Towns and cities alike produced scores that were all over the
scale.
The results demonstrated that we have improved playground safety in our
communities, but that we have some room for improvement. I know that many
communities in Connecticut still has a few items on our “to-do list”
when it comes to playground safety and we are making progress every season
(and every budget). Those communities that are interested in improving
safety at their facilities would benefit from the NPSI training program.
The results identified towns that needed the wake-up call that I hope
my survey provided.
Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions. The data
collected will be compiled into a brief summary and provided to all participants
interested.
To complete the survey please circle the number the best describes your
agency. A score of one indicates that you do not agree with the statement
at all, and five indicating that you strongly agree with the statement.
1. We have a complete inventory of every playground site in our town?
1 2 3 4 5
2. Our inventory includes enough details so I can count the number of
components at each site. 1 2 3 4 5
3. We have conducted a thorough audit/initial inspection of each site.
1 2 3 4 5
4. We have removed every serious hazard from all of our playgrounds. 1
2 3 4 5
5. We have measured the safety surfacing material at every site and have
found the material to be of adequate depth. 1 2 3 4 5
6. We have confirmed that appropriate use zones are in place for every
piece of equipment. 1 2 3 4 5
7. Our playgrounds comply with the ADA standards. 1 2 3 4 5
8. We have list of repairs and/or replacements ranked in priority order.
1 2 3 4 5
9. We have a CPSI on staff or have used someone outside our organization
with this certification to inspect our facilities. 1 2 3 4 5
10. We inspect our facilities at regular intervals and maintain complete
written records of our maintenance activities. 1 2 3 4 5
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