DESIGN OF PARK AND RECREATION AREAS 119 



Surfacing. This problem is treated in the Chapter on Construction 

 Notes, pages 302, 303. 



Space Divisions. 



I . Area for children from five or six to ten or eleven years of age. 



(a) Apparatus. This may include swings, teeters, slides, climbing 

 ropes, poles and ladders, horizontal ladders, trapeze, traveling rings, hori- 

 zontal bars of varying heights, giant stride, jungle gym, merry-go-round, 

 sand box or table and wading pool. 



That apparatus is most desirable which provides an outlet for certain 

 well-known interests of children in such activities as swinging, climbing, 

 hanging with hands or feet combined with motion of some kind, moulding 

 things in sand or clay or mud, and wading or paddling in water the sort 

 of things they would do if they were in the open country with trees and 

 fences and hills to climb, brooks or ponds to wade and paddle in, and sand 

 or mud to fashion things of. The basic principle back of the design of all 

 the best pieces of playground apparatus is to provide an opportunity for 

 the children to do the kinds of things they have done from time immemorial 

 in a more naturalistic environment than the modern town and city provide. 

 Some play leaders tend to minimize the importance of play apparatus. 

 This is believed to be a mistake if carried too far because play apparatus 

 properly selected provides for certain interests and needs of the children 

 that are as old as childhood itself. 



The basic principle to be followed in the placement of apparatus on 

 the playground is so to place it that the largest possible open space will 

 be left for activities that do not require apparatus. This result can usually 

 be obtained by locating it along one or more edges or sides of the playground 

 area. It is also advisable as a safety measure to place such apparatus as 

 the giant stride in the corners. Moveable apparatus, such as swings, are 

 often separated from the free play area by a low fence or railing in order 

 to prevent children from running into it. 



(&) Open area. By this is meant space for playing loosely organized 

 games of many kinds. It should comprise by far the larger part of the 

 playground area. While it may be bordered by trees or shrubs the actual 

 play area should be free of plantations of any kind. There are, of course, 

 certain well-known running games that could be played very satisfactorily 

 in a grove. 



(c) Shaded area. The interests of children are many, and they do not 

 care to engage in activities continuously requiring a great deal of physical 

 exertion, although an excess of physical energy is a prime characteristic of 

 this group. They enjoy quiet games of different kinds and especially making 



