In this essay, Lisa Sandlos and Rennie Tang investigate the potential for movement to play a more significant role in schoolyard design processes to enhance the physical literacy of middle school youth. This research responds to a need for prioritizing physical literacy for historically marginalized youth whose movement needs are often different…

A school business manager who has been in the market for a new athletic field in the last 10 years has no doubt has been exposed to the front lines of an intense battle for market share between producers of natural grass and manufacturers of artificial turf. Each camp is well represented by powerful industry organizations across the country. As a…

The backyard playground is making a comeback in New York's Bedford Stuyvesant section. (Editors)

This report is an outline of recommended specifications for the elementary school physical education program. The indoor physical education facility (gymnasium) should be located away from the classroom area and readily accessible to outside play areas. The size of the gymnasium should be determined by the number and size of the classes that use…

A school playground has facilities to support the physical education program as well as the classroom recess activities. Through use of a simulated village, students gain first-hand experience with traffic conditions. (Author/MLF)

The author describes the conceptualization, planning, and construction of a creative playground at the Glendaal Elementary School in Scotia, New York. Imaginative use of second-hand materials (tires, railroad ties, wood spools, drainage pipes) and volunteer labor enabled costs of the project to be kept well under $300.00. Careful planning resulted…

This comprehensive guidebook (written in both English and German), pertains to various aspects of planning and designing playgrounds and community centers. The introductory chapter discusses the educational and formative aspects of playgrounds, city planning prerequisites, and the effects of sociological conditions before initial planning is…

The article argues that physical education must make more use of games that involve risk and challenge if it is to develop youthful self-confidence and independence. (CD)

Ferrocement, a mixture of portland cement, fine sand, and wire mesh, provides an inexpensive medium for creative playground equipment. The steps involved in building a ferrocement playground sculpture are described, and a bibliography for additional information is provided. (JMF)

This guide is designed for New York City school teachers who will conduct tennis classes for about 50 students while using limited tennis facilities. The insides of school buildings and school playgrounds will constitute the "courts" for these lessons. This type of introduction to the sport is intended to give students a sense of the…

A construction guide is presented for play and recreational equipment for individual use and child care center and camp use. The bulk of the booklet gives detailed instructions for specific kinds of equipment, such as teepees, household appliances, bean bag boards, outdoor playground equipment, doll houses, bird houses, boats, puppets, and chairs.…

The references included were drawn from the documents received and processed to date by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Facilities, and are organized into the following sections--(1) indoor physical education facilities, (2) outdoor physical education areas and facilities, (3) indoor and outdoor physical education areas and facilities, and…

The objectives, organization, and instructional requirements for playground equipment, and its place in the educational program of rural and smaller elementary schools, are translated into actual construction and operational terms for architects, school planners, and builders. The need for larger elementary school sites is demonstrated in specific…

Offers schools and parent-teacher groups an organized, systematic approach to the development, building, and maintenance of a safe playground. Includes advice on (1) initial planning strategies; (2) safety guidelines for the selection of equipment and surface materials; (3) layout and design; and (4) installation and maintenance. (TJQ)

Guidelines are presented regarding the planning, layout, construction, and maintenance of outdoor playing fields for physical education. Consideration is given to the dual use of playing fields by the school and the community, the planning of hard surface playing areas, and specifications and bills of quantities. Maintenance costs of grass playing…