Improving playground surface accessibility

Abstract

Could accessibility be improved and maintenance be reduced for wood fiber- based playgrounds? In July 2001, the US Access Board asked the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) for advice and a potential solution. Since that time new product standards have been adopted by ASTM for engineered wood fiber (EWF), new test techniques have been promulgated by RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) for testing and correlating surface behavior to wheelchair user expectations, and we have explored a concept for stiffening and stabilizing EWF playground and trail surfaces. This is a summary of the EWF surfacing concept and its research and development effort, as well as a discussion of our 2004 (Phase III) project, which we are planning to apply the most workable systems at playgrounds in several climates around the U.S.

Citation

Laufenberg, Theodore L. 2004. Improving playground surface accessibility. Today''s playground. (May 2004): pages 22-26.