Value at play: Incorporating children’s areas into your agritourism model

Play is important for children of all ages, and children’s play areas can become an integral part of your agritourism operation – but these spaces must be created with safety in mind.

A session at the most recent Great Lakes Expo led by Nate Bosch, landscape architect with Outdoor Discovery Center of Holland, MI, discussed safety, compliance and inspections.

What is play? According to Headstart.gov, “Play, put very simply, is an activity that is fun and engaging for the player. Play is freely chosen by the player, although play opportunities may be provided by others.”

In a playground space, it can be simple like a tire swing or a more complicated play center with various touch points like a seesaw, monkey bars and the usual favorites. The first playgrounds were built in the early 1900s. Some of that equipment has stood the test of time; some, like the “Giant Stride,” an imposing pole that allowed children to momentarily “fly,” have faded from public eye due to being unsafe or no longer popular.

Healthy, age-appropriate play inspires childhood development. It builds relationships and social skills, grows language skills, reinforces autonomy and more.

Safety is paramount. Bosch noted a few statistics in his presentation: Each year, over 200,000 children ages 14 and younger are treated by emergency departments for playground-related injuries. About 45% of playground-related injuries are severe and can include fractures, concussions, dislocations and more.

This information is corroborated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s handbook of Public Playground Safety (available at cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/325.pdf). There are a number of potential hazards that might arise: children could be trapped in a gap or hole on the playground equipment. They could endure a fall. They could be cut or suffer impact injuries from protrusions or unprotected corners on equipment. They could suffer crush or shearing injuries.

A lot of factors can contribute to these risks. There might be risky or inadequate safety surfacing or perhaps a frozen or wet safety surface. Equipment might be outdated or inappropriately “customized” without proper precautions.

With this potential in mind, is it even worth it? Absolutely. It’s important to “promote risky play while keeping kids safe in … stimulating environments with effective supervision,” Bosch said.

“And honestly,” an attendee added, “having that playground area is an immediate draw for Mom and Dad. If Mom knows that the kids have this safe space to play while she shops, she’s going to keep coming back time after time.”

Focus on age-appropriate play. Does your location have appropriate signage posted? Is the equipment appropriate for the posted age groups? For instance, younger, shorter children should be using lower impact equipment vs. equipment that incorporates certain heights or fall risks. Are each age group’s spaces clearly designated? Is there adequate supervision?

When it comes to choosing equipment and environmental touch points, you can incorporate any materials and equipment (tires, swings, certain farm equipment, etc.) within reason. As long as they meet basic safety standards, create away! Professional equipment is also available through a variety of commercial vendors.

Be cognizant of your equipment layout. Are any moving elements interacting safely, and spaced safely from static elements and environmental elements as well? Will a child on the swing set risk colliding with bystanders or a nearby obstruction? Or is there plenty of space to swing safely?

Is the playground area structured with all types of play (i.e., can it accommodate a safe amount of roughhousing or do certain points on the equipment need reinforcement)? Is the playground area situated near any environmental hazards on your farm or business site?

While proactivity is wonderful and anyone can ask these questions, there’s a tool for those looking to incorporate a playground area into their business model: the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) program. Facilitated by the National Recreation & Park Association (nrpa.org), the CPSI program is “the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety issues including hazard identification, equipment specifications, surfacing requirements and risk management methods,” Bosch said.

A CPSI inspector can assist with hazard identification at your site, help you meet industry standards, help you secure proper documentation and reduce future liability with customers. Leaning on these trusted professionals can provide a comprehensive safety net as your agritourism business steps into a new chapter of working with the public.

The name of the game is ensuring the best guest experience – down to the smallest customer. Ensuring their safety and Mom and Dad leaving with a smile on their face? Nailed it.

by Andy Haman