One of the main demands with the redesign or re-installation of school playgrounds has to be the high degree of options available for playing and exercising. A school playground offering many possibilities for exercise can make a significant contribution to the quality of the school. This requires a well thought-out floor plan which enables a high number of interactions. Exercise can be encouraged in many different ways.
Thanks to minor ground modulations and the different forms of floor coverings, many playful shapes could be developed. But even flat, concrete surfaces have some appeal too. They do not necessarily have to be removed when the school playground is unsealed, but can be used for floor games or ball games. Children can also do skateboarding or play street ball in the afternoons on these surfaces.
Irregular flooring makes a school playground lively. The choice of flooring must go hand in hand with the function of the surface. For instance, turf is only suitable for large surfaces. Pavement, where there is a high volume of user pressure, and gravel or wood is particularly suitable as fall protection material under playground equipment.
In addition to the large multi-functional surface, little niches are necessary too. In these niches, people can, for instance, play table tennis, bowls or chess.
There are little hills for children to run up and down. Objects can be rolled underneath and then rolled uphill again. Hills can be combined with individual bridges, ropes and beams or with whole balancing structures. Different staircases and exits, such as ramps and slides, can be integrated into a hill. As a result, play paths which encourage exercise are defined.
Stairs which lead to a higher or lower plateau are basic elements which promote exercise on the school playground. In addition, the classic staircase can certainly be varied in terms of height and breadth in order to attract more attention. Furthermore, lavishly-designed staircases are also meeting points and places of communication.
The installation of play equipment has to fit in with the overall picture or general view of the school playground. Interestingly-designed climbing structures, in consideration of the age structure, can encourage both exercise, and also invite rest on the higher platforms. In any case, the equipment should be designed in such a way that as many children as possible should always be able to use it or find space on it.
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