The exciting and innovative design of Play Towers is part of a new wave of imaginative playground equipment. They successfully incorporate 1950s’ adventure playgrounds and 1970s’ novelty playgrounds with the safety precautions of 1980s’ equipment. The concept of childhood didn’t exist until the 17th century when children were no longer perceived as mini adults. As children became more cherished more provision was made for learning, play and emotional development. The evolution of playground equipment and playground design chronicles how much we have learnt about the importance of play and safety. When children have fun on play towers they are benefitting from over a century of playground design.
Children have always had to play somewhere, usually in the streets in towns or in fields in the countryside. Such free play normally caused problems because children were encroaching on people’s everyday lives or finding excitement in dangerous places such as building sites. The concept of playgrounds was invented in 19th Germany in order to solve these problems.
Dr. Joe Frost, from the University of Texas, researched the chronologically of American playgrounds. He documents that the very first play grounds started off as areas with sand pits which were followed by various designs based on fairground rides and novelty themes. The safety of playground design seemed to swing from one extreme to the other. On one hand, there were adventure playgrounds that were unsupervised, equipped with junk and inspired imaginative play in bucketfuls. In complete contrast were traditional playgrounds which were really safe but not very inspirational.(Source: savingplaces.org)
Play towers are a hybrid of adventure and traditional playground equipment. They are designed to BSI safety standards and approved by the Association of Play Industries (API) but still have a chaotic and risky feel to them. The stainless steel construction means that any shape and combination of equipment is possible. Children enjoy playing on any size of play tower and can weave exciting adventures around the different combinations of equipment. Inclusive playground design and surfacing enables children of all abilities to enjoy the benefits of playing together. Play towers are designed to allow children to take risks without facing any real danger.
Playgrounds provide children with a safe space to play and help to keep communities together. It is ironic that as local populations get larger the number of play spaces seem to get smaller. Local playground committees play a valuable role in ensuring that playgrounds are maintained and stocked with new equipment. Stainless steel play towers provide so many play opportunities that they are a great piece of equipment to have in any playground. Whatever size your budget or playground is there is always a play tower that will suit your needs.
If you are interested in finding out more about our play towers contact us and we would be delighted to offer you advice.
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