The Regulatory Framework for Outdoor Learning Environments ... · Triangle Park, North Carolina....

OLE! Texas

The Regulatory Framework for Outdoor Learning Environments in Texas Childcare Facilities

A Practitioner’s Guide to State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Associated with 18 Early Childhood Play and Learning Settings at Childcare Centers and Childcare Homes

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OLE! Texas

The Regulatory Framework for Outdoor Learning Environments in Texas Childcare Facilities

A Practitioner’s Guide to State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Associated with 18 Early Childhood Play and Learning Settings at Childcare Centers and Childcare Homes

Citation Jost, D., Cosco, N., Moore, R. & Cooper, A. 2016. The Regulatory Framework for Outdoor Learning Environments in Texas Childcare Facilities: A Practitioner’s Guide to State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Associated with 18 Early Childhood Play and Learning Settings at Childcare Centers and Childcare Homes. The Natural Learning Initiative, NC State University. ISBN 978‐0‐9982572‐0‐4 © Natural Learning Initiative & National Wildlife Federation, 2016 All rights reserved. PDF copies of this report may be freely downloaded and electronically copied. However, no part of the whole, including photographs, may be extracted and published elsewhere in any form or by any means available now or in the future without permission of the publishers. Cover Photograph: First Environments Early Learning Center, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Photo by the Natural Learning Initiative.

Disclaimer The intent of this document is to encourage early childhood outdoor environment designers to understand the regulatory framework affecting childcare centers and homes at the state level in Texas and thus more fully meet the needs of all children and the adults who work with them. It is intended to help practitioners navigate five documents issued by the state of Texas. It is not intended as legal advice. The framework should be used in conjunction with other existing health, safety, and accessibility measures, guidelines, and standards. The document does not duplicate or fully incorporate all the language in the laws, regulations, and policies discussed herein. It was not intended to encourage practitioners to overlook or neglect health, safety, or accessibility issues that are not discussed or that are not subject to clear regulation. It was not intended to provide guidance on best practices for optimizing safety, accessibility, or developmental benefits. Fortunately, a wealth of resources is available to address specific

concerns for those designing environments to allow all children (and their caregivers) to take advantage of the developmental benefits of outdoor learning environments. The information contained in this document was the most current available at the time the document was created. The document was largely reviewed and finalized in August 2016. Sections related to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services were reviewed by representatives of that department in September 2016 and edited based on the feedback provided. Prior to substantive use, refer to state agencies to determine if updates to the standards discussed have occurred. Also, refer to local jurisdictions to ensure awareness of additional laws or standards at the local level that must be followed.

Project Team Report prepared by the Natural Learning Initiative, North Carolina State University, and the National Wildlife Federation for the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas Department of State Health Services

Brett Spencer, Manager, Primary Prevention Branch, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section Division for Disease Control and Prevention Services

Cari Browning, MA, CTRS, CHES, Physical Activity Coordinator, Obesity Prevention Program, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section, Division for Disease Control and Prevention Services

Natural Learning Initiative, North Carolina State University Nilda G. Cosco, PhD, PI, Research Associate Professor, Director of

Programs of NLI Robin C. Moore, MCP, Dipl. Arch., Hon. ASLA, Co‐PI, Professor of

Landscape Architecture, Director of NLI Daniel Jost, MLA, ASLA, CPSI, Graduate Research Assistant Karli Stephenson, Graduate Research Assistant (Graphic Design)

National Wildlife Federation Allen Cooper, MPP, JD, Director of Learning

Table of Contents Project Background .................................. 1

Overview of Regulatory Environment ..... 3

Language in Standards, Laws, and Guidelines Associated with Specific OLE Settings ..................................................... 5

Acoustic Play Settings ........................... 5

Bird, Butterfly, and Pollinator Habitat ................................................... 6

Decks, Platforms, and Stages ................ 7

Dry Creek Beds and Playable Rain Gardens (LID Features) ......................... 8

Earth Play Settings ................................ 9

Grass Mazes and Tall Grass Areas ....... 10

Groves of Small Trees or Large Shrubs ................................................. 11

Loose Parts Play Areas ........................ 12

Portable Toys and Equipment ....... 12

Natural Loose Parts/ Construction .................................. 12

Manufactured Playground Equipment ........................................... 13

Stationary Natural Play Features ........ 14

Logs ............................................... 14

Boulders ........................................ 14

Stumps ........................................... 14

Mounds and Sloping Topography ........ 16

Multipurpose Lawns ............................ 17

Primary Pathway ................................. 18

Sand Play Areas ................................... 19

Vegetable and Fruit Gardens ............... 20

Water Play: “Hands‐in” Features......... 21

Water Tables .................................. 21

Water Play: Sprinklers and Spraying Features that do not Pool Water ......... 22

Appendix 1: List of Interview Participants and Reviewers ......................................... 23

Appendix 2: Discussion: When do stationary natural features qualify as “stationary equipment” or “active play equipment” that is subject to more extensive standards? ............................... 25

Resources ................................................ 27

State Regulations for Childcare Facilities (Requirements) ..................... 27

Voluntary Guidelines Tied to Public Funding for Childcare Facilities in Texas .................................................... 27

Grants for Childcare OLEs .................... 27

Best Practices for Creating OLEs .......... 27

Creating Habitat Areas ........................ 27

Invasive Plants in Texas ....................... 27

Non‐Toxic Plants that Encourage Play ...................................................... 27

Plants for Rain Gardens ...................... 28

Managing Risk Related to Natural and Naturalistic Features in OLEs .............. 28

Managing Risk Related to Playground Equipment ........................................... 28

Summary of Health and Wellness Benefits Associated with Access to Nature ................................................ 28

Sustainable Landscape Design ............ 28

1•OLE!Texas•TheRegulatoryFrameworkforOutdoorLearningEnvironmentsatTexasChildcareFacilities

ProjectBackgroundTwo4-year-oldboyscarefullytendabatchofsandcupcakesatanoutdoor“kitchen.”Agirlpedalsatricyclearoundloopingpathwaywhileanothergirlpickspurplegrapesoffanadjacentvine.“What’syourfavoritemealwemakeatthecenter?”ateacherasksasmallgirldressedinpink.Atfirst,thegirlseemsconfusedbutthenherfacelightsup.“Oh…KaleSalad!”sheyells.“KaleSalad!KaleSalad!KaleSalad!IloveKaleSalad.”Ifthisseemslikeanatypicalresponsefora4-year-oldchild,thatmaybebecausethisisn’tyourtypicalplaygroundorchildcarecenter.It’sbeendesignedtopromoteactiveplayandtoencouragekidstoeathealthyfoods—likekale—byinvolvingtheminvegetablegardening.ItisoneofeightmodeloutdoorlearningenvironmentsdevelopedaspartofPreventingObesitybyDesign(POD)WakeCounty,aprogramdevelopedbytheNaturalLearningInitiative(NLI)atNorthCarolinaStateUniversity’sCollegeofDesign.Theprogrampromotesactiveplayareasandencourageskidstoeathealthy

foods—likekale—byteachingthemtogrowtheirownvegetablesintheirchildcarefacilities.SimilaroutdoorlearningareasmaysoonsproutupinchildcarefacilitiesacrossTexasaspartofanewinitiative.OLE!Texasisamultidisciplinaryinterventiontopromoteearlychildhoodhealththroughimprovingtheoutdoorlearningenvironment(OLE)atchildcarefacilities(childcarecentersandchildcarehomes).Launchedin2016,OLE!TexasissupportedbytheHealthPromotionandChronicDiseasePreventionSection,TexasDepartmentofStateHealthServices,andimplementedthroughastatewideprojectleadershipteamwithsupportfromtheNaturalLearningInitiative(NLI)andNationalWildlifeFederation(NWF).TheOLE!Texasinitiativeaimstoincreasephysicalactivity,promotehealthyeating,andsupportoutdoorlearningforyoungchildren.ProjectcomponentsincludetrainingTexaslandscapeanddesignprofessionalsaboutoutdoorlearningenvironmentbestpracticesandtraininglandscapeandearlychildhoodeducation

professionalsonPreventingObesitybyDesignmethodsandmaterials.DuringthefirstyearofOLE!Texas,itspartnersareworkingtogethertocreatedemonstrationsitesthatadaptbestpracticesfromelsewheretoTexas’suniqueecologicalandregulatoryenvironments.ThegoalistoinspireimprovementstoearlychildcareOLEsthroughoutTexas.Potentialsiteimprovementsatchildcarefacilitiesmayincludeadiverserangeofmanufactured,constructed,andnaturalfeaturesandsettings.Manufacturedfea-turesarestandardizedandmass-producedinafactory.Theymayincludemanu-facturedplaygroundequipmentsuchasstandardizedswingsandslidesaswellasloosepartssuchasplasticbuildingblocksandTonkatoys.Constructedfeaturesandsettingstendtobecustomizedandconstructedon-site.Theymayincludeconcretepathwaysanddecksorstagesmadefromdimensionedlumber.Naturalsettingsmayincludegrovesoftrees,drycreekbeds,andbirdandbutterflyhabitat.Thesesettingsmaycontainstationarynaturalfeaturessuchaspreparedlogsandnaturallooseparts.“Naturalization”describestheprocessofestablishingnaturalsettingsandfeaturesinanOLE.

OLE!Texas•TheRegulatoryFrameworkforOutdoorLearningEnvironmentsatTexasChildcareFacilities•2

Timespentplayinginnaturalizedoutdoorlearningenvironmentshasbeenlinkedtoavarietyofpositivehealthandwellnessoutcomes.Ithasbeenshowntosupportgrossmotordevelopment,reduceratesofmyopia,andincreasephysicalactivity.Itreduceschildren’slevelsofstressandaggression,increasesconcentration,andlessensthesymptomsassociatedwithADHD.Itisalsoassociatedwithimprovedperformanceonsciencetestsanddevelopmentofanenvironmentalethic.OLETexas!encouragesthecreationofsettingsthatprovidediverseopportunitiesforplayandlearningacrossalldomainsandstagesofchilddevelopment,includingfixedfeatures,portabletoysandequip-ment,andlooseparts.Althoughitsprimaryfocusisrenovationofoutdoorareasinexistingchildcarefacilities,theOLE!Texasdesignstrategycanalsobeappliedtonewconstruction.Thisreportexaminestheregulatoryenvironmentforoutdoorlearningenviron-mentsinTexaschildcarefacilities.ItispartoftheOLE!Texasproject.NLIandNWFwereaskedtocollaborateinidentifyingstate-levelTexaslaws,regulations,standards,andgrant/fundinglanguage

thatmayaffectopportunitiestoimproveOLEquality,includingnaturalsettingsandfeatures.Toexecutethistask,NLIandNWFconductedbackgroundresearchandstructuredinterviewswithindividualswithadirectstakeinOLE!Texas,includingcenterdirectors,earlychildhoodedu-cators,collegeinstructors,andfacilityregulators.Alsoincluded,wererepre-sentativesofagencies,organizations,andprofessionalfieldswithpotentialinfluenceoverOLEquality,includingdesignersanddesigninstructors(seeAppendix1).Mat-erialsfromTexasAgriLifeExtensionandthe“greenindustry”werealsoreviewed.Thereportconsistsoftwodistinctdocuments.Thisguide,directedtowardsearlychildhoodeducationanddesignprofessionals,explainshowstandards,laws,andguidelinesidentifiedthroughthisprocessaffectthedesignandmanage-mentofplayandlearningsettingsthatmaybefoundinbestpracticeoutdoorlearningenvironmentsatchildcarefac-ilities.Allsettingsfeaturedinthisdocu-mentcanbedesignedtocomplywithexistingTexasrequirements.

Arelatedbutseparateinternalpolicyanalysisreportwasalsocreatedtosummarizehealthanddevelopmentalbenefitsofnaturaloutdoorlearningenvironmentsandprovideanoverviewofrelevantstatelaws,regulations,policies,andfundingprograms.AprimarytaskwastoreviewthelanguagecontainedinthesedocumentstounderstandpotentialeffectsontheimplementationofOLEbestpractices.ThisreportwassharedwiththeOLE!TexasLeadershipTeamandstatedepartments.ThisguideaimstoexplainwhatispossibleunderthemajorpoliciesaffectingOLEs.OtherresourcesmaybereferencedtolearnaboutbestpracticesforOLEsandtoseeillustrationsofcompletedprojects.Somesuchresourcesarelistedattheendofthisarticle.Informationprovidedinthisguidewasthemostcurrentavailableatthetimetheitwascreated.Priortousingthisdocument,refertostateagenciestodetermineifupdatestothestandardsdiscussedhaveoccurred.Refertolocaljurisdictionstoensureyouareawareofadditionallawsorstandardsatthelocallevelthatmustbefollowed.

OverviewofRegulatoryEnvironmentTexasregulationsrecognizetwomaintypesoffulltimechildcareoperationsservingchildreninearlychildhood:1.Childcarecenters,definedasservingsevenormorechildrenoutsidetheadministrator’sownhome;2.Childcarehomes,definedasserving12orfewerchildrenintheadministrator’sownresidence.Athirdtypeofchildcareoperation,school-ageandbeforeorafterschoolprograms,serveexclusivelyschool-agechildren.Therefore,theyarenotaddressedhere.*ChildcareStandardsvarybasedonthetypeofoperation.ChildcarecentersarerequiredtomeetMinimumStandardsforChild-careCenters(Chapter746oftheTexasAdministrativeCode)issuedbytheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices(DFPS).ChildcarehomesarerequiredtomeetMinimumStandardsforChild-careHomes(Chapter747oftheTexasAdministrativeCode)alsoissuedbyDFPS.Bothstandardscovertheoutdoorlearningenvironment.

Insomesituations,awaiverorvariancemaybeobtainedfromDFPSifachildcareoperationdoesnotmeetthesestandards.Thisrequiressubmittingdocumentationexplaininghowtheoperationisgoingtoensurechildren’ssafety.Someconsider-ationsincludechildren’sage,degreeofrisk,temporarynatureofrisk,andalter-natesafetyprotocolsinplace.Torequestavariance,useForm2937,foundhere:http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/information_for_providers/cclforms.aspAccessibilitystandardscoverchildcarecentersandthenon-residentialportionsofchildcarehomes.BotharerequiredtocomplywiththeTexasAccessibilityStandards(TAS),whichlargelymirrorthe2010ADAAccessibilityStandardsissuedbytheU.S.DepartmentofJustice(DOJ).Minimumrequirementsforplayareasservingchildrenoverage2areprovidedbytheTAS–Sections206.2.17,240,and1008.Forchildcarecenters,TASspecifieshowmanyplaycomponentsmustbeatgroundlevelandonanaccessibleroute.“Playcomponent”referstoallelementsinplayareas“intendedtogeneratespecificopportunitiesforplay,socialization,orlearning,”whethertheyare

“manufacturedornatural…stand-aloneorpartofacompositeplaystructure”(See106.5.44).Childcarehomeshavefewerrequirementsforaccessibility,as“playareaslocatedinfamilychildcarefacilitieswheretheproprietoractuallyresides”areexcludedfromtherequirementsofSection240andthemorespecificrequirementsinSections206.2.17and1008thataregroundedinrequirementsinsection240(See240.1).Themainaccessibilityrequirementinchildcarehomesistoprovide“atleastoneaccessibleroute”withintheplayarea(See206.2.17.1).Therearenorequirementsforthenumberofplaycomponentsthatneedtobeaccessibleoratgroundlevel.ExceptionsaresettingsregulatedinothersectionsofTAS.Forexample,alawnseatingareaintendedforassemblyandstagesinperformanceareasmustbeconnectedtoanaccessibleroutealthoughthelawnsdonothavetobewheelchairaccessiblethemselves.Forbothchildcarecentersandchildcarehomes,thespecificationsforaccessibleroutesinlicensedoutdoorareasaredifferentthanforotherlandscapetypes.

RefertoTASSection1008formorespecificinformationonslopes,clearances,ramplengths,pathwidths,anduseoftransferplatforms.TexasRisingStar(TRS)isavoluntaryqualityratingandimprovementsystemforcertificationofearlychildhoodeducationcentersandhomesthatarepartoftheTexasWorkforceCommission(TWC)subsidizedchildcareprogram.TRSisusedtoassessthequalityofchildcareproviders,tocommunicatethatinformationtoparentsseekingchildcare,andtodeterminetheleveloffundingprovidersreceiveforeachTWC-subsidizedchild.LicensedchildcarecentersandlicensedorregisteredchildcarehomesthatserveTWC-subsidizedchildrenmaybecertifiedastwo-star,three-star,orfour-starfacilities,usingcriteriapublishedintheTexasRisingStarChildCareProviderCertificationGuidelines.TRSreimbursementrates.TexasGovernmentCode§2308.315requiresthatthelocalworkforceboardprovideatleast5%higherreimbursementsforsubsidizedchildrenattendingfacilitiesawardedatwo-starrating,atleast7%higherreimbursementsforfacilities

awardedathree-starrating,andatleast9%higherreimbursementsforfacilitiesawardedafour-starrating.ThesepercentagesareminimumsandlocalincreasesinfundingbasedonTRScertificationcanbehigher.(SeeTexasGovernmentCodes§809.20and§2308.315).Playgroundequipment.TexasHealthandSafetyCodeSection756.061requiresthatall“playgroundequipment”purchasedorinstalledusingpublicfundsintheStateofTexas(afterSeptember1,2009)mustcomplywithASTMStandardF1487-07ae1,publishedbyASTMInternational.Surfacingfor“theareaunderandaroundplaygroundequipment”purchasedwithpublicfundsmustcomplywithASTMStandardF2223-04e1.Note:thesearehistoricstandards—notthemostrecenteditionsofASTMstandards.Publiclyfundedequipmentisalsorequiredtoprovideshadingofbaremetalsurfacestoavoidburns.Giventhematuredevelop-mentofmanufacturedplaygroundequip-mentstandards,thetopicisrecognizedwithinthisreportbutnotdealtwithindepth.RathervariousothersettingsthatrepresentOLEbestpractice—includingnaturalfeatures—areaddressedindetail.

Themajorityofthisdocumentisdedicatedtoexploringhowthelanguageinthefivedocumentsidentifiedabovemayaffectthecreation,design,andmanagementof18OLEsettingsconsideredtobebestpractices.ThechartsonthefollowingpagesidentifywhetherthesesettingsarepermittedintheOLEsatTexaschildcarefacilities.Theyidentifydesignandmanagementconsiderationsbasedonthelaws,regulations,andfundingprogramsthatareormayberelevanttoeachsetting.TheydiscusshowthesettingssupportchilddevelopmentmandatesfoundintheminimumstandardsandmaycontributetothepointsfacilitiesreceiveundertheTexasRisingStarratingsystem.Specificsectionsthatarerelevantareidentifiedforeaseofreference.Andlinkstothestandardsandguidelinesthemselvesmaybefoundattheendofthedocument.*MinimumStandardsforSchool-ageandBeforeorAfterSchoolProgramsarefoundinChapter744oftheTexasAdministrativeCode.Thoughthespecificsofthesestandardsarenotaddressedhere,thisdocumentmaybeusefulforunderstandingcertainlanguagesharedwithChapters746and747.

StateStandards,Laws,andGuidelinesAssociatedwithSpecificOLESettings

OLESettings MinimumStandardsforChild-CareCenters(2015)

MinimumStandardsforChild-CareHomes(2015)

TexasHealthandSafetyCodeSection756.061

TexasAccessibilityStandards(2012)

TexasRisingStarGuidelines(2015)

AcousticPlaySettings

PermittedDesignConsiderations:NoneChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Helpsmeetrequire-mentsfor“avarietyofactivitiesdaily”and“opportunitiesforactiveplaybothindoorsandoutdoors.”Providing“rhythminstruments”helpsmeetrequirementsforactivitiesencouraginglargemuscledevelopmentintoddlersandsmallmuscledevelopmentinpre-Kchildren.(§746.2205,§746.105(23),§746.2507;§746.2607).

PermittedDesignConsiderations:NoneChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Helpsmeetrequire-mentsfor“avarietyofcreativeactivities”and“opportunitiesforactiveplaybothindoorsandoutdoors.”Providing“rhythminstruments”helpsmeetrequirementsforactivitiesencouraginglargemuscledevelopmentintoddlersandsmallmuscledevelopmentinpre-Kchildren.(§747.2103,§747.105(23),§747.2407,§747.2507).

PermittedDesignConsiderations:Subjecttothislawonlyifitispartofafreestandingplaygroundstructurethatisboughtorinstalledusingpublicfunds.Ifconnectedtoafreestandingplaygroundstructure,itwouldberequiredtomeetASTMF1487-07ae1standardsforentrapment,protrusions,entanglements,crushandshear,etc.

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:Qualifiesasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontain-edinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-01andP-OLE-04.

Bird,Butterfly,andPollinatorHabitat

PermittedDesignConsiderations:“Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletoallchildren.”(§746.3701(6))

PermittedDesignConsiderations:“Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletochildren.”(§746.3501(6))

Notapplicable,becausefeaturedoesnotqualifyasplaygroundequipment.

DesignConsiderations:Ifagardenisintendedasasettingforlearning,contributingtopointsawardedforP-OLE-01,itwouldneedtobeonanaccessibleroute;however,noteverypartofthegardenwouldberequiredtobeaccessible(SeeAdvisory201.3;206.2.4)

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02MayContributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-01ifitlinkstoorreinforcesindoorlearning.DesignConsiderations:Plantsmustbenon-toxic

Decks,Platforms,andStages

PermittedDesignconsiderations:“Porchesorplatformsmorethan20inchesinheightforpre-kindergartenandyoungerchildren,andmorethan30inchesinheightforschool-agechildren,mustbeequippedwithprotectivebarriersthatsurroundtheelevatedsurfaceexceptforentrancesandexitsandthatpreventchildrenfromcrawlingoverorthroughthebarrier”or“becomingentrapped.”(§746.4601;§746.4509)

PermittedDesignconsiderations:“Porchesorplatformsmorethan20inchesinheightforpre-kindergartenandyoungerchildren,andmorethan30inchesinheightforschool-agechildren,mustbeequippedwithprotectivebarriersthatsurroundtheelevatedsurface,exceptforentrancesandexitsandthatpreventchildrenfromcrawlingoverorfallingthroughthebarrier,orbecomingentrapped.”(§747.4401;§747.4309)

PermittedDesignconsiderations:Decksandplatformsarenotsubjecttothislawunlesstheyarepartofacompositeplaygroundstructurethatisboughtorinstalledwithpublicfunds.PlatformsconnectedtoacompositeplaygroundstructurewouldberequiredtomeetASTMF1487-07ae1standardsforentrapment,pro-trusions,etc.NotetheDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServicesMinimumStandardsforChild-careCenters/HomesaremorerestrictivethanASTMstandardsforwhatplatformsrequirebarrierrails,andtrumpASTM.

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarecentersandhomes:Stagesmustbeconnectedtoanaccessibleroute(SeeAdvisory201.3).Forchildcarecentersonly:QualifyasplaycomponentssubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTA.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-04.

DryCreekBedsandPlayableRainGardens

PermittedDesignConsideration:Thedrycreekbedorraingardenmustnotfillwithstandingwater,aschildrenarenotallowedtoswimorwadeinanythingotherthanswimmingorwadingpools.Adrycreekbedorraingardenthatfillswithstandingwatertoprovidefloodmitigationwouldrequireavariance.(§746.5017)

PermittedDesignconsideration:Thedrycreekbedorraingardenmustnotfillwithstandingwater,aschildrenarenotallowedtoswimorwadeinanythingotherthanswimmingorwadingpools.Adrycreekbedorraingardenthatfillswithstandingwatertoprovidefloodmitigationwouldrequireavariance.(§747.4817)

Notapplicable,becausefeaturedoesnotqualifyasplaygroundequipment

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:QualifyasplaycomponentssubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.Noterequirementsforaccessibleroutesdifferfromotherlandscapes.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02,whichencourages“topographicvariations”anda“varietyofgroundsurfaces(mulch,grass,pebbles)”

EarthPlaySettings PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Shouldbetreatedinthesamemannerassandplaysettings,whichneedtobemaintainedina“sanitarymanner”andrequirehand-washingwhenplayisfinished.Bucketsfilledwithwatermustbeinaccessibletochildren.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Earthplaysettingshelpmeetrequirementsforthinkingskillsandsensorydevelopmentforpre-Kandschool-agechildren.(§746.2607,§746.2707,§746.3407(7),§746.3417(5),§746.3701(8))

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Shouldbetreatedinthesamemannerassandplaysettings,whichneedtobemaintainedina“sanitarymanner”andrequirehand-washingwhenplayisfinished.Bucketsfilledwithwatermustbeinaccessibletochildren.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Earthplaysettingshelpmeetrequirementsforthinkingskillandsensorydevelopmentforpre-Kandschool-agechildren.(§747.2507,§747.2607,§747.3407(7),§747.3417(5),§747.3501(8))

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:None

Forchildcarecentersonly:QualifyasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilityrequirementscontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

Notspecificallymentioned.MayContributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-04:“Naturaloutdoorenvironmentsupportssocialemotionaldevelopmentincludingbutnotlimitedtoareasthatinvitesocialgatherings,tummytime,dramaticplay,groupgames,musicandmovement,andspacesforquietandcalmactivities.”Maycontributetopointsaward-edforP-OLE-02(“avarietyofgroundsurfaces”)

GrassMazesandTallGrassAreas

PermittedDesignConsiderations:“Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletoallchildren;”Standardsrequiresupervisionofchildrenatalltimes,butdonotrequirevisualawarenessatalltimes.Requiredis“appropriatevisualand/orauditoryawareness,physicalproximity,andknowledgeofactivityrequirementsandeachchild’sneeds.”Asthelevelofriskassociatedwithagrassmazeislow,requiredsupervisionislow.(§746.3701(6),§746.1501,§746.1503)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:“Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletochildren;”Standardsrequiresupervisionofchildrenatalltimes,butdonotrequirevisualawarenessatalltimes.Theyrequire“appropriatevisualand/orauditoryawareness,physicalproximity,andknowledgeofactivityrequirementsandeachchild’sneeds.”Asthelevelofriskassociatedwithagrassmazeislow,requiredsupervisionislow.(§747.3501(6),§747.1501,§747.1503)

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:None

Forchildcarecentersonly:Qualifiesasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilityrequire-mentscontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecompo-nentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02.DesignConsiderations:Plantsmustbenon-toxic.

GrovesofSmallTreesorLargeShrubs

PermittedDesignconsiderations:Althoughshadeisnotrequired,itisrecommended:“shadedareasshouldbeprovidedbymeansofopenspaceandtreeplantingsorothercoverinoutdoorspaces.”Plantsmustbenon-toxicandlocatedoutsideusezonesforactiveplayequipment.(guidanceon§746.4301,§746.3701(6),§746.4801to§746.4815)

PermittedDesignconsiderations:Plantsmustbenon-toxicandlocatedoutsideusezonesforactiveplayequipment.(§747.3501(6),§747.4601to§747.4615)

Generallynotapplicable,becausefeaturedoesnotqualifyasplaygroundequipmentDesignconsiderations:Notethattreesmaybeincorporatedintoelevateddecksofplaygroundequipmenttocreateacompositeplaystructure,muchlikepostsholdingupshadesailsandroofs,iftrunkisfreefromprotrusions,entanglements,andtherearenolimbswithin84inchesoftheusezone,eachdesignatedplaysurface(largerthan2”x2”),andthepivotpointofanyadjacentswings.(SeeASTM1487-07ae1,9.8.4.1)

Designconsiderationsforbothchildcarecentersandhomes:Verticalclearanceof80inchesmustbeprovidedwherevertreesoverhangaccessibleroutes(See1008.2).Forchildcarecentersonly:TheareaunderagroveneedstobeaccessibleonlyifitisintendedforuseasagatheringspacetoscoreTexasRisingStarpoints.InthatcaseitwouldbeaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsinSections240and1008.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02;MaycontributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-04ifdesignedtopromotegatheringDesignConsideration:Plantsmustbenon-toxic.

LoosePartsPlayAreas(Manipulatives)Portabletoysandequipment(examples:sandandearthplayimplements,Tonka-typewheeledvehicles,balls,piecesoftextile,buckets,hollowblocks,etc.).Naturallooseparts/construction(examples:fallenleaves,pineneedles,smoothedbranches,strawbales,roundedstones,seedheads,flowers,treecookies,smalltimbers,roots,cornstalks,etc).

PermittedDesignConsiderations:Plantssupplyingloosepartsmustbenon-toxic;loosepartsmustbe“freefromsharporroughedges”andtoxicpaint.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Constructionplaywithblocksorsandandwaterisexplicitlyencouragedtopromote“thinkingskillsandsensorydevelopment.”Playwithothernaturalloosepartsmayalsohelpmeetthismandate.(§746.3701(6),§746.3701(5),§746.2607,§746.2707)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:Plantssupplyingloosepartsmustbenon-toxic;loosepartsmustbe“freefromsharporroughedges”andtoxicpaint.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Constructionplaywithblocksorsandandwaterisexplicitlyencouragedtopromote“thinkingskillsandsensorydevelopment.”Playwithothernaturalloosepartsmayalsohelpmeetthismandate.(§746.3501(6),§746.3501(5),§747.2507,§747.2607)

Notapplicable,becausefeaturedoesnotqualifyasplay-groundequipment.TexasCoderequiresuseofASTMF1487-07ae1for“playgroundequipment,”andthatstandardstates:“Independentlooseitemsintendedtobemanipulatedbytheintendedusersarenotcoveredinthisstandard.”(3.1.30.1)

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:Ifspeciallydesignatedareasareprovidedforloosepartsplay,theywouldqualifyasplaycomponentssubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea,whichforportabletoysandloosepartsistheirnaturalbehavior.

MaycontributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-01iftheyreinforceindoorlearning.MayContributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-02,whichencouragesvariedgroundsurfacessuchasmulchandpebbles.MayContributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-04giventhesocialinteractiontypicaloflooseparts/toyplay.DesignConsideration:Plantpartsmustbenon-toxic.

ManufacturedPlaygroundEquipment

(includingequipmentmanufacturedfromnaturalmaterials).

PermittedDesignConsiderations:Standardsfor“activeplayequipment”includingequipmentthatisnotallowed,hazardsthatmustbeavoided,andusezonesandsurfacingrequired.(See§746.4601-§746.4913)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:Standardsfor“activeplayequipment”includingequipmentthatisnotallowed,hazardsthatmustbeavoided,andusezonesrequired.TheChild-CareHomestandarddoesnotrequireanysurfacingbeneathplayequipment.Ifunitarysurfacesareprovided,theymustmeetstandardsforthosematerials.(See§747.4401-§747.4711)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:AllplaygroundequipmentpurchasedorinstalledusingpublicfundsmustbedesignedtomeetASTMF1487ae1andhavesurfacinginitsusezonecompliantwithASTM2223-04e1,Playgroundequipmentthathashorizontalbaremetalsurfacessuchasplatforms,steps,andslides(slides,etc.)mustbeshadedfromdirectsun.(Seediscussiononincorporatingtreeswithplaygroundequipmentonp.12).

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:Subjecttorequire-mentsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-03

StationaryNaturalPlayFeatures

(standalonelogs,boulders,andstumpsvs.equipmentconstructedofnaturalmaterials)

PermittedDesignConsiderationsforstandaloneobjectsandstructuresconstructedofnaturalobjects:“Playmaterialsandequipmentmustbesafeandfreefromsharporroughedgesandtoxicpaints”(§746.3701(5);§747.3501(5)).AdditionaldesignConsiderationsforstandaloneobjects:Individualstandaloneobjects—logs,boulders,andstumpssittingonorpartiallysubmergedwithintheground—donotrequireusezones,anareasixfeettoallsidesofthefeaturesthatis“freeofobstaclesthatachildcouldrunintoorfallontopofandbeinjured”(Seediscussioninappendix2).Considerationmustbetakentoavoidlocatingthesefeatureswithintheusezonesofstationaryequipment.Additionaldesignconsiderationsforstructuresconstructedofnaturalobjects:Whennaturalfeaturesarecombinedtogethertocreatefreestandingstructuresforactiveplay,theyqualifyas“stationaryequipment,”whichdoesrequireausezone,anarea6feettoallsidesofthefeaturesthatis“freeofobstaclesthatachildcouldrunintoorfallontopofandbeinjured”(See§746.4801,§747.4601,extendeddiscussioninAppendix2).(Continuesonp.15)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:ThecoderequiresASTMF1487-07ae1compliancefor“playgroundequipment.”Thatstandarddefines“publicplaygroundequipmentasa“playstructureforuseinplayareasof[variousdifferentpublicfacilities]”anddefinesplaystructureasa“freestandingstructurewithoneormorecomponentsandtheirsupportingmembers.”Underthisdefinition,individuallogs,boulders,andstumpswouldnotqualifyasplaygroundequipmentunlesstheywerepartofastructureintendedforplayandwouldnotbe(Continuesonp.15)

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:QualifiesasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilityandaccessibleroutedesignlaidoutinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02,whichencouragesuseof“Smoothrocks,woodorlogs;”ContributestopointsforP-OLE-03.Bouldersandtreestumpsarenotedasfeaturesassociatedwithsocialemotionaldevelopment;CertainnaturalfeaturesmayhelpearnpointsforP-OLE-04,aswell,byencouraging“activeplaysuchasbalancing.”

StationaryNaturalPlayFeatures

(Continuedfromp.14)

Structuresmadeofnaturalmaterialswouldalsobesubjecttootherrestrictionsrequiringactiveplayequipmenttobeanchoredinplace,tobefreeofprotrusionsandopeningsthatcouldbeentrapmenthazards,etc.(See§746.4601and§747.4401).

Whethersurfacingisrequiredforstructureswithintheirusezonewoulddependonthetypeofplaytheyaremeanttofacilitateandthetypeoffacility.Therearecurrentlynorequirementstoprovidesafetysurfacingatchildcarehomes.Atchildcarecenters,“theremustbeloose-fillsurfacingmaterialorunitarysurfacingmaterialintheusezones(areaaroundandunderequipmentwhereresilientsurfacingisneededtopreventseriousinjuryfromoccurringasresultofafall)forallclimbing,rocking,rotating,bouncing,ormovingequipment,slides,andswings.”(§746.4901).Notethatbalancingequipmentandequipmentfordramaticplaydoesnotrequiresurfacingunderthisstandard.

Surfacingmaterialsusedmustmeetthestandardslaidoutin§746.4901-§746.4913forchildcarecentersand§747.4707-§747.4711forchildcarehomes.

subjecttothestandard.ASTMF1487-07ae1alsospecificallyexcludesfromitsscopefeaturesnotintendedforplaythatareoutsideoftheusezoneofplayequipment:“Productsormaterials(sitefurnishings)thatareinstalledoutsidetheequipmentusezone,suchasbenches,tables,andborders,usedtocontainprotectivesurfacing,arenotconsideredplaygroundequip-ment”(Section1.4).

PlaystructuresmadeofnaturalmaterialswouldneedtomeetASTMF1487-07ae1andhavesurfacingintheirusezonescompliantwithASTM2223-04e1.

(Seep.14) (Seep.14)

MoundsandSlopingTopography

PermittedDesignconsiderations:Shouldbedesignedtoavoidblockingviewstoactiveplayequip-ment(likeclimbers)fromlikelysupervisionpoints.“Theindoorandoutdooractiveplayequipmentmustbearrangedsothatcaregiverscanadequatelysupervisechildrenatalltimes.”Standardsonlyrequire“appropriatevisualand/orauditoryawareness,”andthelevelofsupervisionneededisrelatedtothelevelofrisk.(§746.4601,§746.1503)

PermittedDesignconsiderations:Shouldbedesignedtoavoidblockingviewstoactiveplayequip-ment(likeclimbers)fromlikelysupervisionpoints.“Theindoorandoutdooractiveplayequipmentmustbearrangedsothatcaregiverscanadequatelysupervisechildrenatalltimes.”Standardsonlyrequire“appropriatevisualand/orauditoryawareness,”andthelevelofsupervisionneededisrelatedtothelevelofrisk.(§747.4401,§747.1503)

Generallynotapplicable,becausefeaturedoesnotqualifyasplaygroundequipment.Designconsiderations:Nothingprohibitsmounding/slopingtopographyfrombeingincorporatedintotheusezoneofplaygroundequipmentpurchasedwithpublicfundsifsurfacemeetssurfacingrequirementsofASTMF2223-04ae1.

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:NoteverymoundorslopingtopographywouldbeaplaycomponentpertheTASstandards.Intentioniskeyhere.Ifamoundistreatedasaplaycomponent,andusedtogetcreditasanactiveplayenvironment,itqualifiesasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessiblerouteandaccessibilitycontain-edinSections240and1008ofTAS.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02;MayContributetopointsawardedforP-OLE-03ifdesignedtopromoterolling

MultipurposeLawns

PermittedDesignConsiderations:None

PermittedDesignConsiderations:“Lawnseatingareasandexterioroverflowseatingareas,wherefixedseatsarenotprovided,shallconnecttoanaccessibleroute.”(221.5)

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02andP-OLE-05(incentersthatserveinfants).

PrimaryPathway

(withLoopsandCurvesforWheeledToyUse).

PermittedDesignConsiderations:NoneChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Facilitiesmustdevelopwrittenactivityplansthatinclude“outdoorplayinwhichthechildrenmakeuseofbothsmallandlargemuscles,bothinthemorningandafternoon.”Examplesoflarge-muscledevelopmentforpreschoolchildrenidentifiedinthestandardsinclude:smallwagons,smallwheelbarrows,tri-cycles,andpushtoys.(§746.2507§746.2607,§746.2205)

PermittedDesignConsiderations:NoneChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Facilitiesmustdevelopwrittenactivityplansthatinclude“outdoorplayinwhichthechildrenmakeuseofbothsmallandlargemuscles,bothinthemorningandafternoon.”Examplesoflarge-muscledevelopmentforpreschoolchildrenidentifiedinthestandardsinclude:smallwagons,smallwheelbarrows,tri-cycles,andpushtoys.(§747.2407,§747.2507,§747.2103)

Designconsiderationsforbothchildcarecentersandhomes:Bothmusthaveanaccessiblerouteservingthespace.Thepathusedbywheeledtoysmayserve(orhelpserve)thispurposeifitmeetstherequirementscontainedinSections206.2.17,240,and1008.Fivefeetistheminimumclearwidthforanaccessiblerouteinplayareaswithanareaof1000feetormore(1008.2.4).Forty-fourinchesisrequiredinsmallerareas.Otherrequirementsrelatetoslope,lengthoframp,etc.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02TexasRisingStarawardspointsforhavingan“outdoorenvironment”thatmotivates“activeplaysuchas…riding.”“Tricyclesandriding”toysarespecificallyidentifiedasequipmentthatfacilitatesphysicalactivity.

SandPlayAreas PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Needtobemaintainedina“sanitarymanner”andrequirehand-washingwhenplayisfinished.Bucketsfilledwithwatercannotbeaccessibletochildrenaspartofsandplayarea,thoughmixingsandandwaterisencouraged.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Theyhelpmeetrequirementsforthinkingskillsandsensorydevelopmentforpre-Kandschool-agechildren.(§746.3407(7),§746.3417(5),§746.2607,§746.2707,§746.3701)

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Needtobemaintainedina“sanitarymanner”andrequirehand-washingwhenplayisfinished.Bucketsfilledwithwatercannotbeaccessibletochildrenaspartofsandplayarea,thoughmixingsandandwaterisencouraged.ChildDevelopmentMandatesAddressed:Theyhelpmeetrequirementsforthinkingskillandsensorydevelopmentforpre-Kandschool-agechildren.(§§747.3203(7),§747.3213(5),§747.2507,§747.2607,§747.3501)

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:QualifiesasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTAS.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-04Sandareasareprovidedasanexampleofplayareasthatsupport“socialemotionaldevelopment.”

VegetableandFruitGardens

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletochildren.Whenservingfoodgrownonsite,caretakenissimilartootherfoodpreparation.Centersmusthavewrittenoperationalpoliciesregardingmealandfoodservicepractices,whichmightbeexpandedwithpoliciesforhandlinggardenvegetables.Handwashingsinksshouldnotbeusedforpreparingfood.(§746.3701(6),§746.3317,§746.2419(8),§746.501(8))

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Poisonousorpotentiallyharmfulplantsmustbeinaccessibletochildren.Whenservingfoodgrownonsite,caretakenissimilartootherfoodpreparation.Handwashingsinksshouldnotbeusedforpreparingfood.(§746.3501(6),§747.3117,§747.2319(7))

DesignConsiderations:Ifafruitandvegetablegardenisintendedasasettingwherechildrenlearnaboutgrowingandcaringforfruitandvegetables,itwouldneedtobeonanaccessibleroute;however,noteverypartofthegardenwouldberequiredtobeaccessible(SeeAdvisory201.3;206.2.4)

ContributestopointsawardedforP-OLE-02DesignConsiderations:Plantsmustbenon-toxic

WaterPlay:“Hands-In”Features

(watertablesandotherwaterplaywherehandsgetwetbutbodydoesn’tgetsoaked.)

Design/ManagementConsiderations:Waterplaytablesareallowed.Standardsrequire:“Emptyingwaterplaytablesandtoysusedinwatertablesdaily,sanitizing,andensuringchildrenandcaregiverswashtheirhandsbeforeusingthewatertable.”Otherwise,accordingtothestandard:“Allbodiesofwatersuchaspools,hottubs,ponds,creeks,birdbaths,fountains,buckets,andrainbarrelsmustbeinaccessibletoallchildren.”Featuressuchasbirdbathsmustbephysicallyinaccessible,butmaybevisuallyaccessible.(§746.3701(8),§746.3407(6),§746.3417)

Design/ManagementConsiderations:Waterplaytablesareallowed.Standardsrequire:“Emptyingwaterplaytablesandtoysusedinwatertablesdaily,sanitizing,andensuringchildrenandcaregiverswashtheirhandsbeforeusingthewatertable.”Otherwise,accordingtothestandard:“Allbodiesofwatersuchaspools,hottubs,ponds,creeks,birdbaths,fountains,buckets,andrainbarrelsmustbeinaccessibletoallchildren.”Featuressuchasbirdbathsmustbephysicallyinaccessibletochildren,butmaybevisuallyaccessible.(§746.3701(8),§746.3407(6),§746.3417)

DesignConsiderations:PlaycomponentswithwhichchildreninteractaresubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections240and1008ofTASiflocatedinchildcarecentersbutnotiflocatedinchildcarehomes.Atleastoneofeachtypeofgroundlevelplaycomponentmustbeonanaccessiblerouteandthesecomponentsmustbespreadthroughouttheplayarea.Amorecomplexruleappliestoelevatedcomponents.Noterequirementsforaccessibleroutesdifferfromotherlandscapes.

MaycontributepointstoP-OLE-02.MaycontributepointstoP-OLE-05aimedatencouragingconnectiontonatureandsensoryexperiencesforinfants

WaterPlay:SprinklersandSprayingFeaturesthatDoNotPoolWater.

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Unlikewadingpoolsandswimmingpools,additionalcaregiversarenotrequiredforsprinklerplay.However,acaregivermustnotleavechildrenalonewithasprinkler.“Youmustensurethatnochildusessprinklerequipmentonornearahard,slipperysurface,suchasadriveway,sidewalk,orpatio.Youmuststoresprinklerequipmentandwaterhosesoutofchildren’sreachwhennotinuse.”(§746.2117,§746.5015)

PermittedDesign/ManagementConsiderations:Unlikewadingpoolsandswimmingpools,additionalcaregiversarenotrequiredforsprinklerplay.However,acaregivermustnotleavechildrenalonewithasprinkler.“Youmustnotallowsprinklerequipmenttobeusedbychildrenonornearahard,slipperysurface,suchasadriveway,sidewalk,orpatio.Youmuststoresprinklerequipmentandwaterhosessothattheydonotpresentahazardtochildren.”(§747.2017,§747.4815)

DesignConsiderationsforchildcarehomes:NoneForchildcarecentersonly:Sprinklersmayeitherbefixedormobileandlikelytobestowedwhennotinuse.AfixedsprinklerinstallationwouldlikelyberegardedasaplaycomponentsubjecttorequirementsforaccessibilitycontainedinSections206.2.17,240,and1008.

Notdiscussedinguidelines.

Appendix1Specialthankstothefollowingindividualsforparticipatingininterviewsrelatedtothisreport.

*JohnHartAsher,EnvironmentalDesigner,LadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter,UniversityofTexasatAustin

*PaulaBarton,SiteDirector,UniversityofTexasChildDevelopmentCenter,SanJacinto

DianaFoss,UrbanWildlifeBiologistandNaturalResourcesSpecialist,TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment

JosettaHawthorne,ExecutiveDirector,CouncilforEnvironmentalEducation

*NancyHerron,OutreachandEducationDirector,TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment

CharlesKlein,AssociateProfessorofLandscapeArchitecture,TexasTechUniversity

JeffLindstrom,Associate,TBGPartners

CindyLoeffler,WaterResourcesBranchChief,TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment

LauraOlson,ProgramCoordinator,FamilySupportServices,GoAustin!VamosAustin!,andEarlyChildhoodManager,UnitedWayforGreaterAustinEarlyChildhoodProgram,UnitedWayforGreaterAustin

RhondaRakow,ProviderServicesManager,ChildCareAssistance,ChildCareGroup

*LindaSimmons,NutritionSpecialist,ChildandAdultCareFoodProgram(CACFP),TexasDepartmentofAgriculture

JasonSowell,AssociateProfessorandDirectorofGraduatePrograminLandscapeArchitecture,UniversityofTexasatAustin,SchoolofArchitecture

JohnSutton,DirectorofMunicipalWaterConservation,TexasWaterDevelopmentBoard

*JeannieYoung,ProgramSpecialist,ChildcareLicensing,TexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtectiveServices

Thoseindividualsmarkedwithanasterisk(*)alsoreviewedanearlydraftofthereport.Additionally,thankstothefollowingindividualswhoreviewedanearlydraft.

PhilWarner,Manager,WorkforceTechnicalAssistanceandChildcare,TexasWorkforceCommission

KarenKillian,ProgramSpecialist,TexasWorkforceCommission

Appendix2Discussion:Whendostationarynaturalfeaturesqualifyas“stationaryequipment”or“activeplayequipment”thatissubjecttomoreextensivestandards?

Somenaturalplayfeatureswillrequireausezone,anarea6feettoallsidesofthefeaturesthatis“freeofobstaclesthatachildcouldrunintoorfallontopofandbeinjured”(§746.4801,§747.4601).TheMinimumStandardsforChild-careCentersandMinimumStandardsforChild-CareHomesbothstate:“Theusezoneforstationaryequipment,excludingslidesandsoftcontainedplayequipment,mustextendaminimumofsixfeetinalldirectionsfromtheperimeteroftheequipment.Usezonesforstationaryequipmentmustnotoverlapotherusezones”(§746.4803,§747.4603).Whatqualifiesasstationaryequipmentunderthisstandard?Whydoesn’teverylog,boulder,andstumprelocatedtothesiteasaplayfeaturerequireausezone?

Texas’minimumstandardsforchildcarefacilitiesdrawontechnicaldefinitionsfoundinothersources,includingvariousASTMStandardsandtheConsumer

ProductSafetyCommission(CPSC)’sHandbookforPublicPlaygroundSafety.ASTMF1487-07ae1,whichisrequiredforallplaygroundequipmentpurchasedwithpublicfundsinTexas,defines“stationaryequipment”as“anyplaystructurewhichhasafixedbaseanddoesnotmove”anddefinesplaystructureasa“freestandingstructurewithoneormorecomponentsandtheirsupportingmembers”(Seesections3.1.23and3.1.41).Thisdefinitionclearlylimitsthedefinitionofstationaryequipmenttofreestandingstructuresthatarenotmovable.Similarly,theCPSChandbook,whichislistedintheMinimumStandardsforChild-careCentersandMinimumStandardsforChild-careHomesasaresource,defines“stationaryplayequipment,”as“anyplaystructurethathasafixedbaseanddoesnotmove”(DFPS,2015,p.vi;CPSC,2010,p.4).AnearlierversionoftheCPSChandbookfrom1997,whendescribinghowtodeterminetheusezoneof“stationaryequipment”referredto“thedesignatedplaysurfacesofeachstructure”(CPSC,1997,p.6).

Underthesedefinitions,individuallogs,boulders,andstumps,wouldnotqualifyasstationaryequipmentunlesstheywere

partofastructureintendedforplay.However,ifnaturallookingmaterialswerecombinedtocreateaplaystructure,itwouldqualifyasstationaryequipmentanditwouldrequireausezone.Whethertheequipmentismanufacturedbyacompanyorhandmadebyvolunteersisimmaterialwhenmakingthisdesignation.

BoththeMinimumStandardsforChild-careCentersandtheMinimumStandardsforChild-careHomesalsoincludeavarietyofrequirementsfor“activeplayequipment.”Aswithstationaryequipment,thestandardsdonotincludeadefinitionofactiveplayequipmentorevenplayequipment.However,onceagain,theterm“playequipment”hasaveryspecifictechnicalmeaning.ASTMF2373-11,astandardfor“PublicUsePlayEquipmentforChildren6Monthsthrough23Months”definespublicuseplayequipmentas“playstructurethatisintendedforuseinplayareasofschools,parks,earlycareandeducationfacilities,”andavarietyofother“areasofpublicuse”(Section3.1.39).CPSCusesplayequipmentandplaygroundequipmentinterchangeablyinitshandbook.Itsdefinitionof“‘public’playground

equipment”as“equipmentforusebychildrenage6monthsthrough12yearsintheplaygroundareasof:commercial(non-residential)childcarefacilities…”isnotparticularlyusefulsincethetermsequipmentandplaygroundarenotdefined(CPSC,2010,p.1).ASTMF1487-07ae1,whichCPSCreferences,clearlydefinespublicuseplaygroundequipmentasa“playstructureforuseinplayareas…”(Section3.1.30)Onceagain,whetherthestationaryplayfeaturesqualifyasequipmentrestsonwhetherornottheyarefreestandingstructureslocatedinanareadesignatedforplay.

ResourcesStateRegulationsforChildcareFacilitiesinTexasMinimumStandardsforChild-CareCenters(2015):https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/documents/Standards_and_Regulations/746_Centers.pdfMinimumStandardsforChild-CareHomes(2015):https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/documents/Standards_and_Regulations/747_Homes.pdfTexasAccessibilityStandards(2012):https://www.license.state.tx.us/ab/2012TAS/2012tascomplete.pdfVoluntaryGuidelinesTiedtoPublicFundingforChildcareFacilitiesinTexasASTMF1487-07ae1:StandardConsumerSafetyPerformanceSpecificationforPlaygroundEquipmentforPublicUse(2007):http://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/HISTORICAL/F1487-07AE1.htmASTMF2223-04e1StandardGuideforASTMStandardsonPlaygroundSurfacing(2007):http://compass.astm.org/Standards/HISTORICAL/F2223-04E1.htm

TexasHealthandSafetyCodeSec.756.061:http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.756.htmTexasRisingStarChildCareProviderCertificationGuidelines(2015):https://texasrisingstar.org/about-trs/trs-guidelines/GrantsforChildcareOLEsHealthierCACFPRecognitionAward/Establishing3E’sNutritionGrantProgram(Education,Exercise,EatingRightE3EGrant):http://www.squaremeals.org/FandNResources/HealthierCACFP.aspxContactyourlocalwaterauthoritytolearnifgrantsareavailableforconvertingwaterintensiveturfareasintolow-waterplantings,creatingraingardens,orimplementingotherwaterconservingmeasures.BestPracticesforCreatingOLEsNaturalLearningInitiative:https://naturalearning.org/

NaturePlayandLearningPlaces:CreatingandManagingPlaceswhereChildrenEngagewithNaturebyRobinC.MooreandAllenCooper(2014):https://natureplayandlearningplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nature-Play-Learning-Places_v1.2_Sept22.pdfCreatingHabitatAreasCreatingaSchoolHabitat:APlanningGuideforHabitatEnhancementonSchoolGroundsinTexas:shttp://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0309.pdfTexasWildscapesCertification:http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/wildscapes/InvasivePlantsinTexasTexasInvasives-InvasivePlantDatabase:http://texasinvasives.org/plant_databaseNon-ToxicPlantsthatEncouragePlayPlantsforPlay:APlantSelectionGuideforChildren’sOutdoorEnvironmentsbyRobinC.Moore(2002)(book)

PlantsforRainGardensTexasRainGardenPlantList(2009):http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/files/2011/05/Rain-Garden-Plant-List-11-02-09.pdfManagingRisksRelatedtoNaturalandNaturalisticFeaturesinOLEsChapter6ofNaturePlayandLearningPlaces:CreatingandManagingPlaceswhereChildrenEngagewithNaturebyRobinC.MooreandAllenCooper(2014):https://natureplayandlearningplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nature-Play-Learning-Places_v1.2_Sept22.pdfFirewiseLandscapinginTexas(2012):http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/uploadedFiles/TFSMain/Preparing_for_Wildfires/Prepare_Your_Home_for_Wildfires/Contact_Us/EDITED%202012firelandscape(1).pdfManagingRiskRelatedtoPlaygroundEquipmentASTMF1487-11:StandardConsumerSafetyPerformanceSpecificationfor

PlaygroundEquipmentforPublicUse(2011):http://dx.doi.org/10.1520/F1487-11.ASTMF2223-15:StandardGuideforASTMStandardsonPlaygroundSurfacing(2015):http://dx.doi.org/10.1520/F2223-15.ASTMF2373-11:StandardConsumerSafetyPerformanceSpecificationforPublicUsePlayEquipmentforChildren6Monthsthrough23Months(2011):http://dx.doi.org/10.1520/F2373-11U.S.ConsumerProductSafetyCommission’sPublicPlaygroundSafetyHandbook(2010):https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/122149/325.pdfU.S.ConsumerProductSafetyCommission’sHandbookforPublicPlaygroundSafety(1997).(Historicalreferenceonly):http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Handbook_for_Public_Safety_CPSC_PUB-325_241534_7.pdf

SummaryofHealthandWellnessBenefitsAssociatedwithAccesstoNatureAmericanPublicHealthAssociationPolicyStatement:ImprovingHealthandWellnessThroughAccesstoNature:https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/08/09/18/improving-health-and-wellness-through-access-to-natureSustainableLandscapeDesignSustainableSitesInitiativehttp://www.sustainablesites.org/projectsTexasA&MAgriLifeExtension,Earth-KindLandscapingResourceshttp://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/publications/#waterU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyResourcesonLowImpactDevelopmenthttps://www.epa.gov/polluted-runoff-nonpoint-source-pollution/urban-runoff-low-impact-development

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