Age Appropriate Considerations
Space for playgrounds (also known as play lots) shall be allocated for schools with grades Pre-K through 8th grade. Playground age groupings are typically divided into pre-school tot lot (ages two to five) and school-aged playgrounds (ages five to 12). When schools have combined age groups, play opportunities shall be designed for all represented age groups. This can be accomplished through separate play areas (one play lot for younger children and one for older children), or through one combined play area, depending on the school’s preference.
Location
Playgrounds shall be easily accessible for supervision. Every effort shall be made to locate the playground in an area free of underground piping, electric conduits, utilities, or other unsafe conditions. Additional coordination is required if the playground cannot be located in such an area. Playgrounds shall adhere to all City of Chicago Zoning Setbacks and Requirements.
Sizing Standards
- Pre-school tot lot (ages 2-5): 1,600 sf minimum
- School age play lot area (ages 5-12): 2,500 sf minimum
- Combined play lots (ages 2-12): 3,500 sf minimum
Equipment
- Playground equipment shall provide a range of activities and challenges for the appropriate age groupings and shall be designed with accessibility and usability in mind for physical, emotional, and cognitive limitations.
- Equipment shall meet the Chicago Building Code Playground Credits Rating System to provide all children the opportunity to achieve independent self-directed play without compromising the degree of challenge embodied in the play setting.
- Equipment shall be organized in a functional and logical manner. Colors and play features shall be selected in collaboration with the school and any other applicable stakeholders whenever possible.
- Accessibility shall be prioritized in playgrounds. Ramps shall be used to the greatest extent possible in lieu of transfer platforms and steps.
- Preferred equipment includes:
- Climbers
- Towers
- Decks
- Bridges
- Slides
- Gliders
- Zip Line Feature
- When practical, unshaded play features, such as slides, shall be oriented north to avoid getting too hot in the summer months.
- Swings are not preferred as they take up a large amount of space. If the community requests swings, preference shall be given to multiple-user swings.
- Playground equipment shall adhere to all standards for safety (e.g. ASTM, City of Chicago Building Code, Association for Challenge Course Technology - ACCT, etc.). All manufactured playground equipment shall have:
- Specific fall zone requirements, which calls for a minimum of six feet clearance from the edge of the equipment to a non-safety surface; as well as,
- A minimum impact attenuation for the safety surface within this six foot fall zone.
- Refer to the manufacturer for all fall zone and impact attenuation requirements.
- CPS stakeholders (e.g., the school, parent groups, CPS capital staff, etc.) shall review and provide input on all playground designs.
(See Figure 1.4.4.3)
Refer to the Chicago Building Code, Chapter 18-11, Section 24.4.3 for the Playground Credits Rating System.
Playground Equipment Materials
Playground equipment materials shall comply with the CPS Specifications 11.68.13 Playground Equipment. If plastic lumber is used, it shall be made of high-, medium-, or low-density polyethylene (HDPE, MDPE, LDPE). The following materials including but not limited to, shall not be used in new or existing playgrounds:
- Wood-plastic composites
- Engineered wood fiber playground surfacing
- Multiple commingled recycled consumer plastics
- Fiberglass (for nonstructural applications)
Polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Playground Safety Surfacing
Safety surfacing shall comply with the CPS Specification Specifications 32.18.16 Playground Protective Surfacing for all standards regarding safety and performance.
Poured-in-place rubber surfacing is the required safety surfacing for all CPS playgrounds.
- In high impact areas and fall zones (i.e., under swings and at the bottoms of slides), a thickened wear course shall be provided. Calculate the impact area/fall zones per the actual height of the proposed playground equipment. Clearly graphically identify and dimension critical fall zones read and high impact wear areas on the drawings for proper pricing and installation for guidance/information. Fall Zone Range: extend 18 inches around Critical Fall Zone and high impact areas.
- Rubber surfacing color selections shall complement and enhance the equipment and other site features.
- A flush concrete barrier curb or sidewalk with a thickened edge shall fully enclose the rubber surfacing.
- Rubber surfacing shall have subsurface drainage of crushed stone sloped to an underdrain.
- Depths will vary depending on the stormwater management strategy implemented
Nature Play
In special circumstances, nature play areas may be considered as a complement to traditional playgrounds. The goal of nature play is to provide play and educational opportunities to encourage discovery, exploration, imagination, and engagement with the natural world.
Some examples of nature play features include:
- Log steppers
- Willow tunnels
Appropriate features shall be confirmed with the school and stakeholders. Preference will be given to features with minimal loose parts.
(See Figure 1.4.4.5)
When designed as a hybrid play space alongside a playground, the two play areas shall be designed in a manner that blends with the aesthetics of the surroundings through common colors, plants, surfacing, and more.
- Special consideration shall be given to long-term maintenance. For each project, the school and community must understand the stewardship responsibilities required to sustain these spaces over time.
- Nature play areas shall include accessible routes, maneuvering clearances, and heights.
Seating
Seating areas for children and adults shall be located adjacent to playgrounds and follow accessibility guidelines Refer to Volume 3 Sections 1.4.6 Other Programmatic Elements and 1.10 Site Accessibility for additional guidelines.
Shade
Playgrounds shall be strategically located on site to take advantage of existing elements which provide shade for the playground. Otherwise shade may be provided through:
- New canopy trees
- Shade structures,
- Built-in shade elements such as roofs and canopies.
- Certain equipment, such as slides, shall be oriented to avoid direct exposure to sun
Accessibility
All playgrounds, including nature play areas, shall:
- Incorporate universal accessibility in the design process; and,
- Adhere to all local, national, and statewide accessibility requirements.
Refer to Volume 3 Section 1.10 Site Accessibility for additional requirements.
Pest Control
Pest control shall be a consideration in playground design and shall be closely coordinated with CPS and the school. Pest control shall include underground barriers limiting burrowing under play surfaces, such as barrier curbs and rodent fabric.