I recently took the Playground Safety Inspectors Course from the National Playground Safety Institute. I now see why we have so many similar playground everywhere! The safety standards are daunting. I have been trudging through the thick ASTM and Consumer Product Safety Codes and applying them to natural play. It looks like I am not alone in that endeavor.

The Central Park Conservancy is remaking two of their pioneering adventure playgrounds; Richard Dattner’s Ancient Playground, and The West 100th Street playground, designed by Ross, Ryan, Jacquette Architects. Renovations added clear space or use zones now required for falls. They also made the playgrounds universally accessible. Other renovations increased visibility, improved safety, and made the play areas more aesthetically pleasing. They are both amazing spaces.

The West 100th Street playground