Google Sketchup Playgrounds
by Hunter Chandler
Define the Problem
Problem: Create a playground as if it were to be used by a elementary school.
Criteria: The playground must consist of 6 different play elements (e.g. Swings, Slide, Climbing Wall, Monkey Bars.. etc.), Must be kid-friendly and safe.
I also want to add some older models of equipment but, safer. A lot of equipment that was actually fun has been banned from virtually every playground nation wide, so I want to bring back some of the older things that actually were fun (Tetherball, Still Rings, Possibly even a Giant Stride/Witches Hat)
Research
Lots of kids today don't actually enjoy a lot of the equipment that is in playgrounds now, but instead they look back and see some of the things that were older, and actually say it looks like fun. Kids today are no different that back then, they want excitement, meaning if they risk breaking a bone, hurting themselves, scraping their knee, they don't care. They want excitement from the playground. Stuff like climbing, high elevation monkey bars, stuff like a merry-go-round, teeter-totters (and i mean the big ones).
Witches Hat
Hold on and don't let go! Witches Hat's were a very old model of the today's merry go round, they were bigger, and more unstable, BUT. Kids loved them. The thrill of holding on for dear life and not wanting to let go.
Tetherball
Tetherball is a simple game, you hit the ball and try to ring it around the pole until it wont stop. Of course this game was seen as dangerous (Of course football is safe). Tetherball was always fun because it brought competition to the playground, a way to say "I've never lost a game of Tetherball!" or brag and boast about how good you are.
Rock Climbing Wall
Rock Climbing Walls are man made plastic walls with "rocks" on them, it's to simulate as if you were climbing the side of a hill or mountain.
"The Dome"
A Geodesic Dome or better know as "The Dome" was a way for kids to climb around (other that monkey bars) and try not to fall. When they're trying not to fall and break their neck, it adds that bit of thrill. Don't you think?
Casual Swingset
Swings are one of the oldest things to come to a playground but actually haven't been banned yet because they're still somewhat safe. Of course you risk falling out at a high height but... they're one of the safest things currently that can actually be put in a playground.
Monkey Bars
Monkey Bars are also a thing that haven't been removed quite yet. They're still safe because most monkey bars today are made to where they are not to far away from the ground so there is no risk of a kid hurting him or herself.
Develop Possible Solutions
Choose The Best Solution
Pugh Chart
3D Design (SketchUp Model)
Test and Evaluate
This design is overall pretty safe, minus the height for the monkey bars. It also has 7 different play elements, giving kids things to do.
Communicate
If I were to sell this design to a company I would tell them that since it's older fashioned and some kids have never seen or touched one of the older fashioned objects, they'd be intrigued to do so. It's overall safe and fun for kids.
Redesign
If I were to redesign this, I would lower the height of the monkey bars, and maybe add a few more elements for even more things for kids to do.