February 2002 (Ithaca, NY) — Pressure treated wood on playgrounds is drawing national attention and is leaving parents and teachers wondering if their children’s health is in jeopardy. Pressure treated wood is injected with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), a copper compound containing arsenic. Health concerns have prompted national studies to investigate the effects of this toxic compound on both children and the builders who handle CCA treated wood. In the meantime, professionals and parents alike are questioning the risk and looking for alternatives.
Some schools and daycare centers have begun turning away from large pressure treated constructions and are instead turning to Mother Nature in order to create safe, inviting play environments. These new “playscapes” are made from grassy hills, sand and water, trees, sculpture, boulders, native plantings, and other natural treasures—all with an intriguing variety of sounds, smells, textures, and tastes. “Children love nature,” says Rusty Keeler, founder of Planet Earth Playscapes, an innovative company that specializes in designing one-of-a-kind natural play environments. “There is something about connecting with the natural world that is so important for all human beings—particularly children. These are the kinds of experiences we need to nourish our soul” says Keeler.
With edible herbs and flowers, melodic sound elements, and undulating topography, these playscapes awaken children’s senses to the natural world around them. When Planet Earth Playscapes does use wood, it relies on naturally rot-resistant wood from trees found in the local region. In Vermont, for example, White Cedar might be used, while in Virginia, Black Locust or White Oak might be chosen. Before building any play area for children, Keeler recommends contacting local saw mills or carpenters to find out what naturally rot-resistant woods are available regionally. “Because children often explore the world by touching and tasting,” Keeler explains, “adults need to carefully select the materials that are going to be used to build children’s spaces.”
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