Risky Play and Playground Safety

The Canadian Pediatric Society has stated that risky play is essential for child development (https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/outdoor-risky-play). This seems to fly directly against decades of playground manufacture, where safety was the main concern.

So, it is important to define and unpack some concepts to explore what is Risky Play, its difference to what a Hazard is, and what playground safety should be.

Risk:

In playground design, a risk is something that the user is aware of, a challenge to be either rejected or attempted. For example, climbing up to that high tube slide, and once there, letting gravity take over. The risk there is fear of heights, and of losing control over speed and body position. Even in a fully enclosed playground tower, that first climb is daunting for the first time user, and letting go of the slide start is a real challenge.

What is important to note in this scenario is that, regardless of the outcome, the child is learning and growing. It may overcome the challenge and slide down, or decide that it is too much for its present abilities. Either way, the child made a decision and acted accordingly, and this is the way we grow and develop.

Hazard:

Now, a Hazard is something that the users are not aware of, and that can endanger them. Putting it in cartoon terms, it is a jungle pit trap; you thought it was a leaf covered path, and you don't realize your mistake until you are falling down into a hole...

In a playground this would be a material failure, an unforeseen movement of the play elements or any situation that could hurt a user. Thankfully, the playground standards for playground manufacture are based on research and help to minimize accidents.

Playground design is all about generating clear risk opportunities while eliminating hazards through design and maintenance.