UFC 4-740-14
1 August 2002
swings, a ball play area, a quiet place, a garden, and a composite structure for climbing.
Design play areas for preschool children to support dramatic and constructive/creative
play, active play and quiet play, sand and water play, and opportunities to explore
nature. Provide pathways for wheeled toys and circulation and allow the play
experience to flow through the play areas. Include facilities for play with sand and water
and place adjacent to one another allowing these activities to intermingle. Include
materials for creative play activities such as musical devices, painting materials,
chalkboards, construction materials, and blocks. A covered porch area provides an
ideal area for painting, drawing, etc. Note the following considerations for this activity
area:
6-6.4.1
ADAAG Considerations. Consider preschoolers self-mobile wheelchair
users. Therefore, for this age group, design to provide maximum accessibility.
6-6.4.2
Dramatic Play Area. Provide a larger, open-ended play superstructure
offering many activities, but design to lend itself to dramatic play. Include elements
such as playhouses, stages and props that encourage dramatic play. Position these
elements within the play area to allow the dramatic play to spill out and flow into other
spaces. Place dramatic play materials and equipment in close proximity to each other
and to wheeled vehicle paths to facilitate integration of play themes.
6-6.4.3
Building/Construction Area. Include space for children to build freeform
items and structures. Locate area near storage for access to building materials. These
materials include blocks, wood boards, PVC pipe, paint, carpentry tools, ropes, balls,
etc.
6-6.4.4
Swings. Locate swings in a separate area. Take care to provide
adequate safety areas around swings to prevent conflicts with other activities.
Note: The Navy only permits tire swings--see Section 6-6.4.4.3 below.
6-6.4.4.1
Provide a continuous impact absorbing surface according to the CPSC
Handbook.
6-6.4.4.2
Use a flexible material for swing seats, such as the rubber belt-type, to
avoid impact injuries from hard seats and to discourage standing on seats. Use belt-
type baby seats with restraints for children under two years old. Hard seat swings are
not allowed.
6-6.4.4.3
Tire swings allow two or more children to swing together, increasing the
opportunity for social development. Do not allow the tire to touch the vertical support
structure according to CPSC and ASTM guidelines.
6-6.4.4.4
Design swing top rails to not exceed 2.4 m (8 ft.) for children under four
years old. Locate swings at the perimeter of the play area to eliminate conflicts
between swinging and running, walking or wheeled toys.
6-13
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