TM 5-803-11/AFJMAN 32-10139
b. Recommended Ages. Plant material is used by
(8) Shade. Shade maybe especially desirable
all age groups.
where people may be sitting for more than a few
minutes. Shade can be provided with trees, cano-
c. Safety Concerns. Important considerations in-
pies, trellises, etc.
clude: toxic or undesirable plant material; surfac-
ing; protrusions and entrapment; visibility; and use
d. Maintenance Level. The level of maintenance
of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
required for this play area component is moderate.
d. Maintenance Level. The level of maintenance
9-10. Manufactured Play Equipment.
required for this play area component is moderate.
Manufactured play equipment will be carefully
9-12. Landforms.
selected to meet safety guidelines for the primary
age group of the play area users. Safety surfacing
Landforms provide spatial variety and create the
will be provided in manufactured play equipment
opportunity to experience three-dimensional space.
use zones.
a. Design Elements. Design elements may in-
a. Design Elements. Manufactured equipment
clude: hills, slopes, earth mounds, boulders, step-
components may include both freestanding equip-
ping stones, logs, seating, bridges, surfaces, and
ment, such as climbers, swings, slides, and balance
vegetation.
beams, and composite structures that include more
(1) Existing Landforms. Slopes, varied topogra-
than one play event.
phy, and land forms satisfy many play needs. Exist-
b. Recommended Ages. Manufactured play equip-
ing landforms should be retained when possible.
ment components are recommended for children
(2) Landform Site Improvements. Earthmoving
from infant to 12 years. Separate age-appropriate
and related site improvements can be expensive.
manufactured play equipment areas should be pro-
Site improvement opportunities will vary depend-
vided for children under 5 years. Young children
ing on existing site conditions and budget. A simple
have been gravely injured while playing on equip-
approach may include creating a small mound on a
ment intended for older children, sometimes while
flat site by importing material. An extensive ap-
parents are facilitating their play. Similarly, serious
proach may involve complete regrading to create a
accidents may occur when older children use equip-
continuously varied ground surface with topo-
ment designed for children under 5 years.
graphic features.
c. Safety Concerns. Children will use play equip-
(3) LOW Mounds. Low mounds provide chal-
ment in ways that were never intended. Therefore,
lenge without the potential of falls from elevated
play area designers should design the environment
heights. Through careful manipulation of land-
so that children's misjudgments do not result in life-
forms, access can be provided without the use of
threatening injuries. Play equipment will meet all
ramps.
the safety guidelines provided by CPSC, ASTM F
(4) Berms. Berms or natural hills may be used
1292, and ASTM F 1487, as well as all additional
to provide access for children with disabilities up to
guidelines described in this manual. Safety surfac-
and onto equipment.
ing will be provided throughout play equipment use
(5) Slides. Slides that are incorporated into
zones.
slopes can pose little potential for falls. Landforms
d. Maintenance Level. The level of maintenance
may be designed to provide access to the slide en-
required for this play area component is moderate.
trance for children in wheelchairs.
b. Recommended Ages. All ages can make use of
9-11. Plant Materials.
landforms.
Plant material provides children with opportuni-
c. Safety Concerns.
ties for nature exploration, props for play, settings
(1) Slopes. Slopes should be appropriate to the
for social interaction, and climbing opportunities.
age of users. Steep slopes should be avoided.
Existing vegetation provides a mature and unique
(2) Dropoffs. Sudden dropoffs should be
character in the play area. Native plants or plants
avoided.
adapted to the local climate create a regionally ap-
propriate character. Except when required for play
(3) Guardrails. Paths and ramps should be
evaluated to determine whether guardrails are
value, plants with low life cycle costs and low main-
needed.
tenance requirements are preferred.
a. Design Elements. Design elements may in-
(4) Bridges. Bridges between mounds should
meet requirements for play equipment stationary
clude: plants selected from local plant lists; seating;
bridges, including requirements for protective bar-
water; irrigation; planters; containment barriers;
riers, entrapment, and use zones.
ground surfaces; and tree guards.
9-5
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