1. Fun Safe Playground Learning Through Performance
Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity
February 2016

2. Your Task You and your team will design a playground.
You will present your playground and highlight why your playground is fun, safe, and promotes fitness.
Playground Requirements:
Playground fits within a rectangular area that is 70 feet wide and 90 feet long
Playground Includes
Playground system
At least one stand alone slide
Swing set
Shows consideration for activities students say are “fun”
Includes activities that promote fitness
Meets the groundcover guidelines for safety

3. Playground Equipment
Describe playground equipment or features that you have seen before.
What do you think is the difference between an individual feature and a playground system?

4. Playground System Describe this structure.
What do you think makes this a system rather than an individual feature?
Image from: Burke Premier Play Environments:

5. Individual Feature Describe this structure.
What do you think makes this an individual feature rather than a system?
Image from: Burke Premier Play Environments:

6. Considerations for your team
Your ideal playground must include one system, at least one stand alone slide, and a swing set.
How might you decide which individual features to include?
Can you think of anything that may limit your choices?

7. Use Zone
Playground systems and individual features both have a “Use Zone”
Examine both pictures.
What do you think is the “Use Zone”?
“Use Zones”
The area under and around the equipment.
This area must be clear of all obstacles and have soft landing material to protect from falls.
Images from: Burke Premier Play Environments:

8. Area of Use Zone
What is the general shape of the “Use Zone” for this system?
What is the area of the Use Zone for this playground system?
Explain your process.
Image from: Burke Premier Play Environments:

9. Critical information for each system and feature

10. Ground Coverage

11. Your Task
You and your team will design what you consider is the best playground.
You will present your playground and highlight why your playground is fun, safe, and promotes fitness. Your presentation must also include the cost for the playground equipment and ground coverage.
Playground Requirements:
Playground fits within a rectangular area that is 70 feet wide and 90 feet long
Playground Includes
Playground system
At least one stand alone slide
Swing set
Shows consideration for activities students say are “fun”
Includes activities that promote fitness
Meets the groundcover guidelines for safety