Kids don’t bounce - but new playground surfaces will help cushion falls

Date: November 25, 2016
Contact: Emily Linroth, 202-619-7156

WASHINGTON - Four playgrounds in DC will be sporting new, cushier surfaces in time for the New Year. The playgrounds will be closed for three weeks while the work is done, and then neighbors near the following playgrounds can look forward to new rubber surfaces to play on:

• Maryland Avenue NE and 10th St NE (on Capitol Hill)  
  (during the project, play nearby at Maryland Ave NE and 11th St NE).

• Randall Circle, Minnesota Ave SE, across from G St SE (near Fort Dupont
  (during the project, play nearby at nearby Kimball Elementary).

• Fairfax Village, Alabama Ave SE, between 37th St SE and 38th St SE
  The swingset area and larger rectangular playground will be resurfaced; the third playground in the area will remain open.

“I wish these poured rubber surfaces were around when my kids were growing up,” acting Superintendent Ann Honious said. “As parents and grandparents, we know that kids can be daring and accidents happen, so the National Park Service is using the latest surface technology to help cushion their falls and keep them safe.”

Poured-in-place rubber surfaces help provide shock absorption, which can reduce the risk of injury during a fall. Two of the playgrounds are currently surfaced with mulch, and the two others have worn out rubber surfaces.