 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Playstreets . . . Old and New
Devised in the depression years, the playstreet is undergoing a re-birth because of the difficulty in finding open space for play in neighborhoods where land costs are high. A number of U.S. cities have adopted a policy of setting aside blocks of streets, vacant lots, parking lots, or comers of parks for organized and protected summer play programs. The addition of completely mobile equipment adds a new and exciting dimension—the availability of diversified, popular play items coupled with the ability to store and preserve the equipment from unauthorized and unsupervised use.
There are many advantages in the portable play area concept for solving immediate recreation needs, especially during the summer. They do not require demolition or construction. They are essentially mobile. Equipment is not left out overnight, and only painted diagrams for games remain to indicate the daytime use. Space Requirements As indicated above, recreational space can be found in a wide variety of places and arrangements. Existing playgrounds can be adapted, one or more blocks of any street or housing development play site can be used, or a vacant lot developed. Other possibilities include school athletic fields or yards, commercial (Shopping center) parking lots, and small grass plots. The following table suggests the space required to provide for a variety of activities using portable equipment:
Ideally, the play facility should provide space to accommodate:
Certain play apparatus and court games require specific layouts, but effective design and planning can bring about:
—multiple use of space
Illinois Parks 60 March/ April 1970
—safety and convenience for participants
Flexibility should be the guiding principle in laying out portable play areas. Each portion of the facility should be so designed that it can be used for more than one activity. AGE GROUPS An attractive feature of the portable play area concept is the fact that it can be made to appeal to youngsters of any age. Ideally, children from three to six years old should be given an area to themselves. Boys and girls from seven to sixteen can usually be grouped in one area. The selection of equipment and the accompanying programs will help determine the degree of interest of each age. Maintenance and Safety An important consideration in setting up a mobile play area is maintenance of the equipment, its storage, and safety precautions in its use. A clean, easily accessible storage area should be provided and will no doubt have a strong bearing on the location chosen for the area. Movement of the equipment from the storage room to the playstreet and back each day will be a routine which must be planned for. Where possible, storage areas should be on ground level with the play area. Generally, the mobile play equipment like that listed above is durable and rugged. It will withstand energetic use by neighborhood children. However, minor repairs and routine maintenance will be needed, and rubber patch kits and bicycle tools should be kept on hand. A few replacement parts should be stocked for limited maintenance. Moving parts on all pieces of equipment should be checked daily, and normal upkeep should be planned. Leather goods need oiling, plastic, cloth and metal parts must be cleaned, tennis and volleyball nets kept repaired, and stenciled markings touched up. Good maintenance also helps prevent accidents, and accident prevention begins with a plan and continues with supervision. Scheduled periods of instruction covering safe play practices and equipment usage should be given to all youngsters. Supervisors and other employees should be periodically indoctrinated in accident prevention. Success Through Involvement An important lesson learned from initial portable play area projects is that involvement of the children to the greatest degree possible will do much to insure their cooperation, respect, interest, and, ultimately, the success of the project. Small maintenance assignments, cleanliness "patrols," safety responsibilities all help to foster pride of participation. Let it be known that responsibility for proper use and preservation of the equipment is placed upon all the children using it, and their attitude will be a positive one. PERSONNEL No matter what community organization is responsible for the supervision and operation of the portable play area, the leadership provided will determine the success of any program. Background for a play area director might include community recreation or physical education training. A good leader can usually innovate and promote interest in constructive recreation. He can also give counsel to individuals and groups, and, like a coach, do a lot of incidental instruction. The influence of competent leadership upon attendance has been demonstrated repeatedly. Children flock to the facility where appealing programs are available. Trainee positions to help prepare young people for professional recreation work may be established in the administration of a playstreet or playground. Candidates may be graduates of recreation or physical education curricula. Others are in college, and some are high school students interested in working with youngsters. Volunteer part-time or retired workers can be of great help. Ideally, personnel for a portable play area operation should provide one staff member for 15 to 25 youngsters if instruction and coaching are planned. Naturally, budget considerations, the extent of the program to be conducted, and similar factors will affect the number of personnel. If no instruction or close work with the children is planned, one staff member can supervise a greater number. Community Relations And Neighborhood Cooperation It is obvious that the needs of the neighborhood are the prime consideration in establishing portable play areas. Support and cooperation of the neighborhood residents should be effected. Volunteer participation by neighborhood leaders and workers will develop community interest and pride. Here are some suggestions which will help to kindle enthusiasm. 1. Develop harmonious relationship with residents. Keep them informed. Illinois Parks 61 March/ April 1970
2. Insure that streets selected for the programs are kept clean and attractive.
Operational Suggestions A number of things will help to successfully launch a portable play program:
1. Keep street and play areas clean and attractive.
Sources Of Funds The past few years have witnessed a greatly increased interest in recreation facilities, especially in heavily populated urban areas. In addition to funds which might be budgeted by municipal governments, there are other areas from which support for innovative programs are available. Contributions from industry and individual philanthropy have been valuable sources. Labor unions, industrial groups, chambers of commerce, and church organizations have in the past provided special task force monies aimed at neighborhood improvement and recreation for youth. Information
For further information regarding portable recreation areas, please write or call
Illinois Parks 62 March/ April 1970 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
