Imagine a world without playgrounds ? it?s probably a world without much fun.
Playgrounds have impacted many people both young and old, and they are still being built today with some modern modifications.
“Before, playgrounds were made from old tires and other car parts, and now we can?t use them because they aren?t safe,” said Robert Kauffman, professor of recreation and park management at Frostburg University.
“When building a playground, you have to think of things like, should signs be posted, can police access it, and should fences be put up,” he said. “Some people would say that we?ve taken the fun out of playgrounds.”
But these precautions don?t ruin the fun ? they just make it safer.
Playgrounds are built to stimulate imagination because kids get tired of fixed environments, Kauffman said.
“The sandbox is a great example of equipment that can be manipulated because the sand can be molded to anything the child can think of,” Kauffman said.
Playgrounds often vary depending on if they are at a school or a park, said Don West, a Maryland representative for GameTime, a national playground builder.
“Different standards have to be met for schools; school playgrounds must be wheelchair accessible,” he said. Playgrounds at parks often have parking lots so there should be a way to access the playground from it, West said.
Malcolm Favor is a senior at Reginald F. Lewis High School in Baltimore City. He is an intern with The Baltimore Examiner.
