September 1st, 2010
Lawsuits. They could be the end of swings on some playgrounds. The story that’s being told by many newspapers and web sites right now is from Charleston, West Virigina. That’s where they made the decision to remove swings from playgrounds at several elementary schools.
I think it’s sad.
“County schools safety manager Tim Stewart says the swing sets are being removed from 17 schools starting this fall.” Yes, 17!
The reason? Recent lawsuits and the expense of “installing proper safety barriers.” I’m not really sure what he means by safety barriers. My guess is the issue was children falling off the swings.
There were 2 lawsuits filed in the past year. I think I know one of the problems. The area under the swings is wood chips. They don’t make for a cushioned fall and are not recommended. Stewart said that rubber mulch would be better but that it’s not in the budget. So they decided to remove the swings.
I hope this isn’t a trend. What about playground grants?
For the whole story see: http://www.wvva.com/global/story.asp?s=13081358
Tags: Mulch, playground, Swing
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August 30th, 2010
You’ve heard of rubber playgrounds but what about rubber sidewalks? The company Rubbersidewalks has a product of the future called Terrewalks. It’s already been installed in 23 states, 190 cities and 16 universities.
What are the benefits of a rubber sidewalk? It’s good for people and trees. Gum doen’t stick to it, cigarettes won’t leave burn marks on it, it’s easy to remove and replace, it’s safer, and it doesn’t hurt tree roots. The sidewalks are flexible so they can mold around tree roots while still allowing water to penetrate to the roots.
Tree roots also damage concrete. When the roots get big they break up the concrete and it has to be replaced. That can be expensive. Rubber sidewalks do cost more to install but they also last longer (just like playground rubber mulch).
Just like rubber mulch the sidewalk pieces come in different colors. They also have different textures to choose from like granite, marble and stone designs.
Another benefit of the rubber sidewalks is they heat and cool better. You might see rubber sidewalks at a street near you.
Tags: playground, Rubber, rubber mulch, rubber sidewalk
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August 25th, 2010
“We selected the rubber mulch instead which is six inches deep but also if you step in it you have a bounce.”
A new playground in North Carolina was made with kids who have disabilities in mind. ECU’s Child Development Lab built the playground. The group partnered with play ground equipment maker Little Tikes Commerical.
The playground features a platform where a child can be transferred from a wheelchair onto the platform and, if they can crawl, up some equipment and down the slide.
More about their selection of rubber mulch:
“I have a disabled son, physically disabled son that can’t walk, so it’s cushion for him to be able to crawl around and play and enjoy himself,” said Candice Little, mother of twins who will be attending the new daycare and playground.
The team is taking their design to other communities. See: http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/aug/25/new-playground-geared-toward-children-disabilities-ar-348734/
Tags: North Carolina, playground, Playground Equipment, rubber mulch
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August 24th, 2010
Another playground fire is in the news. A playground in Plainfield New Jersey was recently torched and it’s being investigated as an arson. The damage? An estimated $50,000. It happened at the African-American Fund of New Jersey facility Saturday evening. The organization runs a day care center.
The fire was extinguished quickly, but most of the playground equipment was rendered unusable. Two men were seen on surveillance video leaving the scene as smoke and fire appeared.
It ruined playground equipment and destroyed a table, some fencing, a tree and rubber mulch. There is no word yet if insurance will cover the damage.
Anyone interested in helping her organization acquire new playground equipment is being asked to call 908-561-0123
See: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100823/NEWS/8230343/-1/special06/Suspected+arson+decimates+Plainfield+day-care+s+playground#pluckcomments
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August 18th, 2010
A program by Lowe’s and a community effort helps build a new playground in time for the first day back to school. The playground will have a track, pavilion and picnic tables.
Thanks to Lowes and the community, back to school this week was not back to the same old playground. Bear Creek Elementary got a brand new playground set. The first phase of the playground was completed in time for the first day of school, which was Aug. 12.
Colorado cares that their schools have playgrounds. I hope more attention is paid to schools like those in New York City where more than Half of Elementary Schools Lack Playgrounds
The school in this story used to be a middle school so it didn’t have a playground. A committee was formed and they decided that they playground would also be like a park for residents to enjoy.
Volunteers from Lowe’s put in a pavilion with picnic tables with wood donated through the Lowe’s Heroes program. They started a fitness trail and hope to add an amphitheater. Fundraisers were held to pay for the playground and businesses donated product. Volunteers donated time and their sweat equity.
Every year local Lowe’s stores put together a team that identifies a local school or community project which they can donate time and materials to help make a difference in the community.
Lowe’s Heroes is part of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation which was started in 1957. Since 2009 the foundation has contributed over $30 million to schools and the community.
Plans to start the second phase of the playground will begin next summer.
Source: http://www.coloradocommunitynewspapers.com/articles/2010/08/18/tri_lakes_tribune/news/18_mo_nws_playground.txt
Tags: Lowes, New York, playground, School
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August 16th, 2010
A vacant lot in New York that was once a BMX park could turn into a playground for dogs. Pet owners are hoping to turn Cheri Lindsey Park into a fenced-in arena for their dogs to run around in.
The City of Binghamton is involving people in the effort – by launching a Design Your Own Park Competition. We think plans should include a safe surface (like rubber mulch bond) for the dogs to run and play on. It would help control the temperature, look nice and be sanitary. It would also last.
City planners say Community Block Development Grants would cover at least $10,000 for winning ideas. Results will be announced in December. The competition is a joint effort by the City of Binghamton, Binghamton University and United Way.
We don’t know how big the proposed park will be, but we think this is a great idea. We’ve written about design contests for parks for kids, but this is the first one that is for dogs. We hope it starts a new trend! The best part is – dog owners will get moving as well as their pets.
Tags: dog playground, New York, playground
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August 11th, 2010
SFGate.com just reported on Michelle Obama’s recent address to the NAACP a civil rights organization. She called obesity a race issue citing how black children are more likely to be obese. Half are expected to get diabetes.
She spoke about her “Let’s Move” anti-obesity campaign calling obesity, “one of the greatest risks to our children’s future is their own health.” And she blamed cultural changes: children are inactive, watch hours of television every day and eat junk food.
She said:
“Our parents made us get up and play outside. Had to get up, get out, didn’t have to — just couldn’t be inside. And we would spend hours riding bikes, playing softball, freeze tag, jumping double-dutch. Kids nowadays don’t even know how to jump double-dutch!”
She also talked about how she walks the talk with her two girls Malia and Sasha. Michelle Obama is correct and health officials are concerned as obesity rates keep going up, up, up.
Tags: Let's Move, Michelle Obama, Obesity
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August 9th, 2010
No one thinks about surfing the internet as a way to lose weight. In fact, we usually blame that sort of thing for weight gain. Here’s some good news: new research says that the Internet can help people keep weight off and fight obesity.
Did you know that Over 70% of Americans Want to Lose Weight?
The study was conducted over a 2.5 years, found that that the internet can be part of a support system for people. They found that the “more often people logged on to a website, the more likely they were to maintain weight loss.”
The site is no longer there, but it helped people stay accountable. “Users were asked log in once a week to enter their weight and the amount of exercise they’d done. If they didn’t log in regularly, they got a little nudge by e-mail, then an automated phone call. Once on the site, users could chat with other participants of the study in a kind of mini-Facebook setting.”
Results
The study began with 1,600 overweight or obese participants. About 350 of the group lost an average 19 lb. during the first six months and qualified to continue with the study. People who logged on the most regularly — at least once a month for 28 months — kept off the most weight. They kept off an average of 9 lbs. compared to others who lost an average of 3 lbs. So in total about 30 lbs!
Features of an effective weight loss web site
If you want to find a web site to help with weight loss, look for with these features:
- the site has a feedback mechanism and support resources from experts or others who can offer support
The best part is the lack of judgment (people can’t see what you look like so you avoid the shame factor) and low cost of online communities that support weight loss. The bad news is – just like Wii Fit and other high tech ways to help you lose weight – they only work if you use them – and are consistent.
Sound off: has a web site or online program helped you lose weight?
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2007222,00.html
Tags: Health, Obesity, Weight loss
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August 4th, 2010
Since we’ve been talking about overcoming obesity we thought this was a good idea to help us get moving: install public ping pong tables. I’m all for the sport – it’s a great way to blow off steam and it can be played by all ages and many abilities.
The city of London is launching “Ping London.” They will install 100 tables, 4,000 paddles with 10,000 ping pong balls. The outdoor tables made out of concrete will be installed at spots around the city.
Kaboom points out that there are already public ping pong tables in other countries including France, China, and Ethiopia. There are even some in New York City. It seems like public ping pong would be a great addition to a playground or rec center. Apparently we’re not the only ones who think this is a great idea. New York City may want to consider adding ping pong tables to schools since more than half of New York City elementary schools lack playgrounds.
One commenter wrote: This sport is interesting because unlike most sports many of the matches are not based on age or gender. My dad and brother both play against 10 year old girls and 90 year old men and a 45 year old woman in a wheelchair. It is great to watch and a super interesting culture. I really enjoy going to their matches because they are so diverse and exciting to watch.
Tags: ping pong, playground ideas, Table tennis
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August 2nd, 2010
I’ve been watching a documentary called “Killer at Large” (you can get it on Netflix or http://www.killeratlarge.com). It starts with a discussion on how we fear attacks from others – like terrorists. But what is really happening in our country is happening from within. We’re killing ourselves with food.
I talked to John Borski today – he’s a farmer who is featured in the film. He said the doctor who sponsored it spent over a million on production. The film crew stayed with John for 20 days during filming and helped him on the farm.
The best part of the movie is that it doesn’t simplify the issue. There are many reasons and it’s not just diet and exercise. It has to do with policies – including the worst – that we started to put corn in all of our food because farmers were being paid to produce more and more of it.
There are many famous people in the film and it’s been featured on Oprah and has been written about on Huffington Post. Most of all it shows real life people struggling with weight. It illustrates how difficult it is to resist eating food that makes us fat when our kids can’t walk a few feet without seeing a vending machine. Or, if you’re poor it’s a lot less expensive to eat packaged foods rather than healthier ones.
I’ve been trying to lose weight and it isn’t easy. I haven’t finished the film so I’m not sure if it goes into this but my biggest challenge is eating out. It costs more money and calories than it should. Even if you exercise you will gain weight if you eating too many calories. Obesity has a long list of consequences from diabetes to premature death.
We have challenges with our environment, with security and with war in this country. What about obesity – do you think it’s as serious of an issue as these? What have you done that’s worked for you in keeping weight off?
Tags: Obesity, Weight loss
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