UFC 4-740-14
1 August 2002
6-5.7
Common Areas of Play Zones.
6-5.7.1
Entry. Provide an entry to each play zone for transporting materials,
wheelchairs, walkers, and infant strollers. Provide some covering such as an awning,
canopy or porch for shade and partial shelter. (See Section 6-5.3 for more information
on shade structures.)
6-5.7.2
Circulation. Design circulation within the play area to branch throughout
the various play areas, using imaginative paths such as covered and uncovered
walkways, curved and straight paths, etc. Provide dedicated pathways and routes for
play with wheeled toys. The circulation pathway is the primary element that ties the
entire play area together. Provide paths that link the play zones to ensure availability to
all children. Locate storage convenient to areas where stored materials will be used.
(See Section 6-5.4.3 and Section 6-5.4.4 for information on circulation route surfacing.)
6-5.7.3
Active vs. Quiet Areas. In addition to opportunities for active gross
motor play, provide space and equipment to support quiet play such as art, reading,
table games, sand, water, gardening, building, and nature study.
6-6
AGE-SPECIFIC PLAY AREAS.
6-6.1
Infant and Pre-Toddler. Separate this fenced activity area, but do not
isolate it, from age groups older than 24 months. A low fence, hill or other natural
feature can serve to separate crawling infants from more active toddlers, but transition
across these areas will depend more on ability than on age. Design the separation to
provide visual and audible connections but limited physical contact. Design this play
area to provide a variety of stimuli. Provide access by the CDC path networks that
allow caregivers to take infants out in strollers. Provide concrete surfaces for strollers
and ride and push toys, which can also double function for emergency egress paths.
Design play area surfaces to consist of soft, resilient materials that protect crawling
children and provide a comfortable surface on which to sit. Include small steps, slopes,
ground beams, climbing ramps, slight barriers and slides. Depending upon the pre-
toddler's individual skill level, the pre-toddler will use the infant area or an area similar to
the toddler area. Note the following considerations for this activity area:
6-6.1.1
Shade. Shade is particularly important for infants and young pre-toddlers.
Ideally, shield infant play areas from the extremes of wind and sun, but offer exposure
to the natural environment. See Section 6-5.3 for more information on shade.
6-6.1.2
Exclusions. Avoid excessive heights and abrupt surface level changes or
rough surfaces. The following items are not permitted in the infant activity area:
Treated wood
Wood chips
Pea gravel
6-11
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