Greener Playgrounds: The Way Of The Future

One of the great joys of spending time with children and family is going to the park. There is something calming and relaxing about sitting on park benches watching children learn and grow in the playground. Many parks also have picnic tables where families can step aside from play and enjoy lunch.

When you think about parks, you wouldn't necessarily think they would need to make any special effort to be environmentally friendly. By definition our parks are already a place for kids and families to gather together and enjoy the great outdoors. There was once a time, when the most "green" behavior we had to worry about at the park was to pick up our trash rather than litter. While not littering is clearly still important, the focus to make parks greener has widened considerably, and the responsibility of making our parks as green as possible lies both with those who use the park, and those who provide materials to make it comfortable for whoever utilizes it.

However, many companies are now manufacturing playground equipment and other park materials that puts environmental concern on the forefront. The most obvious thing being done is the use of recycled materials in equipment. One company sells recycled plastic playscapes made from recycled milk cartons and saves 10-20 trees for each unit built. Not only does using this method create durable play structures that save resources, but it prevents those cartons from ending up in landfills.

It's not just kids on the play structures who get eco-friendly playground equipment. Those picnic tables and park benches are increasingly being made with recycled plastic or wood treated with environmentally friendly sealants that make them last longer.

Even those companies that continue to use wood and other natural materials in their play structures are doing so with the environment in mind. Some methods used to stay green while still keeping a natural feel to playground equipment is to use timber that comes from sustainably managed forests. Others design play areas that incorporate the natural environment, helping children and other park goers to appreciate the beauty of the Earth as they play.

Another way makers of playground equipment is upping their green game is by outsmarting vandals as part of the design of their equipment. Using materials such as rotating nets, not only keeps play interesting for kids, but makes the structures more difficult to vandalize.

More than ever, it's important to keep our children active by providing them with quality playgrounds in our parks. Parks highlight the natural beauty of the earth and bring families closer together, but when playground equipment gets run down, the sometimes it can be mistreated by people. Although makers of playground equipment and park benches and picnic tables have upped their green game significantly it is up to all of us to keep these areas beautiful as well as functional by using them in the manner they were intended, and by letting our cities know all they economical and green options there are for children and families who love spending time at the park.

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