Surface America Builds Safety into the Surface For Marvin Gaye Playground in Washington D.C.
Cheektowaga, NY (August 2009) – Surface America, leader in the playground and recreational surfacing industry, announces the completion of the Marvin Gaye Park Playground in Northeast Washington D.C. The project was part of a donation to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) initiative called Parks Build Community, a revitalization effort targeting parks in underserved urban communities across the country.
The 5,600 sq. ft. Marvin Gaye playground features Surface America’s PlayBound™Poured-in-Placesurfacing system, the industry’s leading playground surface. Designed with proven, high-quality materials to provide long-term performance, durability, and consistent shock absorption, the surface transforms a neglected area into a safe and engaging play area for children of all abilities.
Among the other features of the new Surface America playground:
- The playground surface is accessible to all people and conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ASTM F-1951-99.
- All Surface America surfaces are IPEMA certified and meet the criteria for ASTM F-1292-04 for shock absorption.
- The Marvin Gaye Park Playground surface is made from recycled materials.
The Surface America surface features a two-layer system consisting of a resilient basemat made from 100% post-consumer recycled rubber and polyurethane; and a tough, wear-resistant top surface made from post-industrial recycled rubber and polyurethane. Applying and mixing the materials on site allows for modifications in the thickness of the surface to meet varying critical fall heights within the playground.
As part of the NRPA’s Parks Build Community initiative, the once-blighted playground will be the focus of a study conducted by George Mason University and the non-profit group Washington Parks & People, documenting the long-term health benefits the playground and surrounding park will bring to the youth and the community at large.
“Being part of an effort to improve the health and well-being of a community – especially for the children – is truly rewarding for the Surface America team,” said Jim Dobmeier, President and Founder of Surface America. “The reach of this revitalization project and the impact it’s having on the Northeast neighborhood is testament to the overall benefits a safe playground can have on a community.”
In addition to Surface America, members and recreation industry partners supported the NRPA initiative. Surface America collaborated with EDAW AECOM on the design of the playground. All told, more than $200,000 was donated to make the playground a reality.
Watch the video of the revitalization project
Read more at www.washingtonpost.com
Founded in 1993, Surface America is North America’s leading playground and recreational surfacing company – installing more than fifteen million square feet of recycled rubber surfacing on thousands of playground and recreation areas from coast-to-coast. In addition, Surface America provides surfacing systems for trails & pathways, gymnasiums, fitness facilities and athletic fields marketed under the A-Turf (a sister company) brand.
