Quick Links
 

Please go to www.ipema.com to confirm product validation, its thickness and critical height.  

Greetings!

Spring is in full swing here at No Fault. The change in weather has brought with it some exciting happenings not just here at No Fault but also in the sports and recreation industry. In this issue of our newsletter, you'll learn about some ways to make most of your local playground on a budget and also about an exciting visit to No Fault from one of our foremost vendors, ECORE International.

Playgrounds don't improve themselves- they need love and care to thrive. If you're lucky enough to have a playground within walking distance of your home, here are seven ways to ensure that it stays safe, well-maintained, and most importantly, played on by young and old alike. In honor of St. Valentine, let's show your playground some love.

1. Put it on the map

Are you sure new neighbors know where your playground is? Add photos to our Map of Play, and be sure to let folks know about its condition and the amenities it offers. If your playground is already on the map, you can help provide more information by adding your own comments and reviews.

2. Paint games on unused asphalt

Stretches of plain asphalt present valuable opportunities for play-just add paint! Markings for simple games like hopscotch and foursquare, help incentivize children to engage in play and physical activity. Plus, they increase motor skills, create learning opportunities for conflict resolution and maximize the potential of your playspace.

3. Make it shady

Many playgrounds offer no shaded areas, which discourages use in hotter months. Shade structures come in all shapes and sizes and can be added to existing equipment to provide some respite from the sun. You can also build shade structures over benches so that parents don't burn up while supervising their children. And don't forget about planting trees, which not only provide shade but also beauty, greenery, and potentially, new climbing opportunities for children!

4. Make it fun for the "big kids"

Playgrounds aren't just for little ones. A few simple additions to the area surrounding your playground- like planters, benches, chessboard tables, stages and chalkboards- can transform it into a multi-use, multi-generational space, engaging kids, teens and parents alike. With a bit of prep work, you can invite groups of volunteers to build these items, all of which can be completed in a single day.

5. Organize a playground watch

Much like a neighborhood watch, a playground watch empowers citizens to protect their playgrounds and the families who use them. Put parents at ease and encourage more playground use by gathering a group of volunteers to rotate shifts on a playground watch. Not only does this ensure that a responsible supervisor is always at the playground, but it protects against vandalism and crime. Enlisting teens is a great way to encourage community involvement and a sense of investment in their local playground.

6. Add loose parts

Imagination Playground in a Box or Cart is a semi-mobile kit of parts to encourage unstructured, child-directed play. A set includes a storage unit on wheels and Imagination Playground Blocks- loose parts that allow children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play. Instead of, or in addition to, Imagination Playground, you can create a "PlayPod" for found and donated items ranging from fabrics to safety cones to cardboard boxes.

7. If it's broke, fix it!

Many playground maintenance issues go unreported simply because people don't know who to call, or because it seems like too much work. Coordinate with the body in charge of your local playground to set up a reporting system so that the appropriate people can promptly notified about broken equipment, graffiti, or any other issues that may arise. It could be as simple as posting a prominent sign at the playground with a phone number.

This post originally appeared in Play Today, the official blog of the national nonprofit KaBOOM!.