Books Magazines

American Playgrounds, Revitalizing Community Space, has been called “a compelling history, a manifesto, and a manual for change.”1 Published in 2005 by the University Press of New England, Susan G. Solomon's perspective on American playgrounds came out of her own experiences with art, architecture, and sponsoring a playground in memory of her parents, Rita and Nathan Goldberg. In writing American Playgrounds, she sought “to combine a view of the past with a guide for anyone undertaking a similar commission in the future.”2

• 1. “American Playgrounds.” University Press of New England. < http://www.upne.com/1-58465-517-8.html > 25 January 2011.
• 2. Solomon, Susan G. American Playgrounds, Revitalizing Community Space. By Solomon.

The International Journal of Play is an inter-disciplinary publication that focuses on all facets of play. It is published by Routledge, a distinguished publisher of leading educational research since 1836.1 The first issue of the International Journal of Play was released in March of 2012 with three issues published yearly.

• 1. “About Us.” Routledge Education Arena. < http://www.educationarena.com/about.asp > 3 May 2012.

Joe L. Frost, EdD, Parker Centennial Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin, has more than 50 years experience in research and teaching. Joe Frost has authored books and articles on the subject of play, playgrounds, safety, children’s poverty, and  play and child development.1

One of his books, Play and Playscapes, was published in 1992 by Delmar Publishers Inc. Developed primarily as a textbook for college and university students, the book addresses the nature and value of play and developmentally appropriate play environments for children.

• 1. “Child’s Play.” The University of Texas at Austin. < http://www.utexas.edu/features/2007/playgrounds/index.html > 21 April 2011.

The original Play It Safe, An Anthology of Playground Safety was edited by Monty Christiansen in 1992. Hans Vogelsong joined Monty in editing the 2nd edition, which was published in 1996 by The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). NRPA's National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) sponsored this “extensive compilation of monographs written by national play and playground safety authorities.”1

• 1. Christiansen, Monty L. and Hans Vogelsong. “Acknowledgments of Appreciation by Ken Kutska.” Play It Safe: An Anthology of Playground Safety. 2nd ed. Arlington, VA: The National Recreation & Park Association, 1996. p. iv.

Playground Safety Is No Accident: Developing a Public Playground Safety and Maintenance Program was first published by The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in 1992 through their National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA). The 2nd edition, printed in 1998, reflects the updated ASTM International (ASTM) F1487 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use.