Playground Safety and Quality in Chicago

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess playground safety and quality in Chicago, Illinois, identify disparities in access, and use the data to inform collaborative improvement. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of public park playgrounds in Chicago, Illinois, was conducted in 2009, 2010, and 2011 by using the National Program for Playground Safety Standardized Survey. All playgrounds were surveyed in 2009 and 2010; those that failed in 2010 were resurveyed in 2011. Playgrounds were assessed in 4 main categories: age-appropriate design, fall surfacing, equipment maintenance, and physical environment. Safety scores were generated from the assessment. Geographic information system mapping provided a visual description of the playground pass/fail rate based on neighborhood, child population, race/ethnicity, and poverty level. RESULTS: Of the ∼500 playgrounds, 467 were assessed in 2009, and 459 were assessed in 2010. In 2009, half of all playgrounds (55%) and in 2010, nearly two-thirds (61%) earned scores consistent with safe playgrounds (P < .001). Playgrounds scored poorest in fall surfacing and equipment maintenance. Geographic information system mapping showed neighborhoods with a higher percentage of children and impoverished families had fewer playgrounds and more failing playgrounds. In 2011, 154 (85%) of the playgrounds that failed in 2010 were surveyed. The mean playground score among failing playgrounds improved significantly between 2010 (61%) and 2011 (67%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Since the playground improvement initiative began in 2009, considerable progress has been made in the safety scores, although access to high-quality playgrounds varies by neighborhood. Many failing playgrounds can be brought up to standard with improvement in fall surfacing and equipment maintenance.

A Model of Community Pediatrics: Improving Access to Safe Play Environments

“…Disparities were also found with regard to race/ethnicity, with AfricanAmerican and Hispanic children more likely to live in neighborhoods with unsafe playgrounds or fewer playgrounds, respectively. 1 These findings are consistent with other research on this topic. 4,5 Like most areas of public health, the field of pediatric injury is not immune to disparity.…”

“…The authors found that among playgrounds utilizing wood chips for safety surfacing, up to 99% failed to meet minimum safety recommendations for chip depth. 1 The two determinants of energy transfer in a fall are (1) fall height and (2) the impact attenuating capacity of the surface. Adequate safety surfacing is critically important for the prevention of playground-related injuries.…”

Unintentional pediatric injuries in São Paulo. How often is it severe?

“…The impact depends on the height of fall, which can happen in a playground toy or from windows or roofs [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] . In the present series high height falls were associated with severity.…”

The Children’s Playgrounds in Apartments and Terrace Housing Areas: Places of Leisure or Failure?

“…10, No. 22; safety (Allen et al, 2012;Doaa, 2012;Wheway, 2012;Howard et al, 2009;Mott et al, 1997;Beugels, 1993;Bond & Peck, 1993). Further explanation will be discussed in the result and discussion section…”