20 CAR § 1027-901 – Playground requirements

(a) To provide the safest possible playground environment, you are encouraged to meet Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines listed in the Public Playground Safety Handbook.
(b) However, the following are minimum requirements and shall be met.
(c) Please note that these requirements do not mandate the use of any playground equipment that would require use zones and protective surfacing.
(d)
1. (1) Numerous options for suitable playground environments are available and acceptable.
2. (2) Examples of such activities are:
  1. (A) Sand boxes;
  2. (B) Activity walls at ground level;
  3. (C) Art easels;
  4. (D) Balls and games;
  5. (E) Play houses;
  6. (F) Nature walks; and
  7. (G) Use of the approved natural environment for outdoor learning.
(e) The use of public playgrounds and other play environments away from the facility is not recommended as these environments may not meet acceptable safety standards.
(f) If these playgrounds are used, staff should provide close supervision and not allow children to use any equipment that appears unsafe, e.g. broken equipment, sharp objects, strangulation hazards, etc.
(g) Using playgrounds and other play environments away from the facility is considered a field trip and all field trip requirements shall be followed.