Get More out of Your Playground Buy Better
Vol 15, Issue 1, Jan. 2009
As we enter troubled economic times, we all must be very careful to get the best value for our money. Playground purchases will go through fundamental changes as value becomes the catchphrase of 2009 and the successful playground will find a balance between play value, injury prevention and cost. Failure will have consequences for the purchasing team, the manufacturer/suppliers, the maintenance team & mostly the community. In tough economic times families will be looking to preserve their financial resources and as a result they will put pressure on the parks and community centres to fill their free time. There will be more day trips to parks and these parks will have their facilities tested. The test will be whether there are enough challenges for all members of the family and the emphasis will be on the children, especially those not yet in high school. The most important aspect of any project will be its play value and the ability for the family to return to it time after time and come away wanting more. These will be the facilities that voters will remember later in 2009 when they will be asked for support the incumbents.
Children need an opportunity to stretch their limits and learn about their bodies, minds, friends and environment, preferably in a fun and challenging way. They will find it in toys, games, people, trees, rocks, hills, etc. and sometime playgrounds. They will also find the activities and structures that meet their needs and abilities. Play is important, especially in these changing times when we must give our children every advantage that they will need later in life to be successful in the competitive world in which they are to grow. Without this opportunity to test their abilities and revel in the achievements of their friends and themselves, they just might become part of the pack later in life.
As we enter troubled economic times, we all must be very careful to get the best value for our money. Playground purchases will go through fundamental changes as value becomes the catchphrase of 2009 and the successful playground will find a balance between play value, injury prevention and cost. Failure will have consequences for the purchasing team, the manufacturer/suppliers, the maintenance team & mostly the community. In tough economic times families will be looking to preserve their financial resources and as a result they will put pressure on the parks and community centres to fill their free time. There will be more day trips to parks and these parks will have their facilities tested. The test will be whether there are enough challenges for all members of the family and the emphasis will be on the children, especially those not yet in high school. The most important aspect of any project will be its play value and the ability for the family to return to it time after time and come away wanting more. These will be the facilities that voters will remember later in 2009 when they will be asked for support the incumbents.
Children need an opportunity to stretch their limits and learn about their bodies, minds, friends and environment, preferably in a fun and challenging way. They will find it in toys, games, people, trees, rocks, hills, etc. and sometime playgrounds. They will also find the activities and structures that meet their needs and abilities. Play is important, especially in these changing times when we must give our children every advantage that they will need later in life to be successful in the competitive world in which they are to grow. Without this opportunity to test their abilities and revel in the achievements of their friends and themselves, they just might become part of the pack later in life.
HEAD OFFICE
Canadian Playground Advisory
1097 West River Rd.
Cambridge, Ontario
N1R 5S5
T: 416-410-7506
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