June 16, 2009
Webinar Questions for How to Have a Peaceful Playground.
Q: The Peaceful Playgrounds Implementation Guide recommends buying water-based striping paint at local hardware stores. Some companies no longer sell the bright colors (IE green and red) do you recommend another kind of paint
A: Yes, you can ask for a masonary paint to be mixed in any color you prefer.
Q: What is the lifespan of the masonary paint?
A: It depends on a number of factors. First the weather. If you live in an area where the playground has snow piled on it for 4 months of the year the game markings need to be repainted more frequently than if you live in Southern California where it never snows and rains infrequently. But generally, properly applied paint will last about 2-3 years or longer in most places.
Q: Do you recommend having separate primary and intermediate areas or combining the two blueprints into one master plan?
A: Most schools don’t have enough area to paint ALL of the markings from the designs. The answer is no you don’t NEED to separate the areas. Most people pick and choose markings from EACH design. They pick the number of markings depending on how much space they have and what age groups they want or need to represent.
Q: What is the best way to combine both?
A: One thing to note is that the blueprint designs have built in safety areas between game markings. Pay attention to the amount of space in between the games. Also you can recruit either a PE teacher to help you pick games, or a classroom teacher from each grade level and have them pick 1-2 designs they’d like to see added to the playground. That way you are also getting them involved which will allow for more “staff buy-in” to the program idea, as well as increase the likelihood that they will take their class outside for interactive learning.
