TM 5-803-11/AFJMAN 32-10139
ager, maintenance personnel, or observations dur-
staff should be trained to ensure consistency and
ing site visits may provide relevant information.
survey reliability. A representative sample of com-
munity members should be surveyed. A report
(2) Topography and Natural Features. Site to-
should be developed to document the survey and
pography can suggest opportunities for spatial
organization and play uses. The presence of both
interview results.
sloping and flat surfaces can enhance play opportu-
d. Walking Thurs. Walking tours of the proposed
nities. Natural topographic forms and features such
site allow participants to directly observe and re-
as mounds, large boulders, outcropping, and slopes
spond to the environment. Tours are suitable for
should be located, preserved, and integrated into
both adults and children. The tour route may be
the play area design. Topographic conditions that
preplanned, or participants may lead the designer
may effect the play area location and design should
to both favorite and least favorite places. Walking
be identified and recorded. These include water col-
tours provide opportunities to inform community
lection areas, high and low points, flat areas, hills,
members about environmental assets and liabili-
valleys, and ridges. A topographic map should be
ties. The designer or committee members may
prepared if one is not available. Sources for this
gather information from participants during the
information include aerial and field-run topographic
walking tour. The walking tour should be followed
surveys of the site.
by a discussion and observations should be re-
(3) Existing Utilities. Existing utility surveys,
corded.
future development maps, civil or installation engi-
e. Field Trips. Participants may tour play areas
neers, and on-site field observations should be used
in other communities. The designer or committee
to identify the location and capacity of current utili-
members can then gather information about what
ties. Water, electricity, storm and sanitary sewers,
participants liked and did not like about each play
utility boxes, and telephone lines should be consid-
area. This input can be summarized in a report.
ered in relationship to play area needs and evalu-
f. Special Events. A variety of activities, such as
ated to determine needed improvements. Potential
mural-making, model-building, and play days, cre-
play area hazards created by utilities should be
ate enjoyable community events that can be used to
identified and mitigated.
gather information for play area design. These
(4) Soils and Drainage. Soil types and drainage
events may be geared toward children, youth, or
should be considered when locating play area com-
entire families. Special events provide an opportu-
ponents. During the site inventory, soil types should
nity for media attention and project publicity. Dur-
be mapped and evaluated for their ability to support
ing the activity, facilitators can gather community
weight (structural bearing capacity), susceptibility
opinions through discussion with participants. Dis-
to erosion, water permeability, and presence of sur-
cussion with the participants is more important
face and subsurface rock that may affect construc-
than the actual product or activity.
tion costs. The ability to provide positive drainage
also should be evaluated. A combination of surface
3-5. Conduct a Site Inventory and Analysis.
and subsurface drainage should be considered for
A site inventory will be conducted to identify the
all sites. Sources for this information include the
natural, manmade, and cultural features that may
site plan, the installation master plan, the U.S. Soil
affect the play area design. Based on the inventory,
Conservation Service, and the U.S. Geological Sur-
a site analysis document will be developed to iden-
vey.
tify design constraints and opportunities.
(5) Visual Resources. Any significant views af-
a. Site Inventory. Site inventory information
forded by the site should be noted. These views
should be gathered during site visits, and from old
present design opportunities, such as observation
site plans, interviews, anti reference materials. All
points.
information should be recorded on a site plan. Fig-
(6) Microclimate. Microclimate should be con-
ure 31 provides an example of a site inventory.
sidered when selecting activities, preparing the site
layout, and selecting construction materials. Wind,
(1) Cultural Features. The character of the site,
sun, heat, cold, drifting snow, sand, and dampness
current use patterns, well-used features on the site,
are climatic conditions that may need to be miti-
and how the proposed play area will relate to the
existing site should be noted. Information about the
gated through the design. Prominent microclimate
site's history and the regional history should be
characteristics, such as sun, shade, and wind direc-
tion should be mapped during the site inventory.
obtained. Special historical, cultural, or ethnic fea-
tures may make play area development desirable or
Sources for this information include site investiga-
undesirable or may present design opportunities.
tions and persons familiar with seasonal site char-
The installation master plan, user groups, site man-
acteristics.
3-2
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