The U.S. Forest Service is building a new playground for a national campground in Tennessee with "safety circles" and "fall zones."
The new playground will not have any merry-go-rounds or monkey bars, but will be made of 99.9 percent recycled materials and have an Americans with Disabilities Act "transfer station."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the Forest Service, updated a solicitation for the equipment Wednesday. The playground equipment is for Piney Campground in Dover, Tenn.
"All equipment, including spacing for appropriate standard safety circles and fall zones, shall not exceed the 77’ x 77’ rectangular site boundary available," according to the scope of work for the project.
"Structure shall include a minimum of the following items: 3 slides, 2 climbers or rock walls, 2 panels, 2 connector/crawl tunnels and 2 bridges, and an ADA transfer station," it said. "Additional site requirements include a minimum of the following items: 4 child swings, 2 individual riders and 2 recycled 6’ benches."
The Forest Service is looking for a contractor to provide drawings of "fall zones," and "safety circles" for the playground.
It is unclear whether the "safety circles" being referred to by the solicitation are something physical, like these yellow spots that have been painted on the ground under a tire swing, or whether the term is a reference to the "systemic safety approach based on the ‘safety circle’" which includes a focus on "equipment, environment, and children," promoted by this paper published by the National Institutes of Health.
The Forest Service provided photos of the current playground, which looks to be in need of an upgrade.
"Color scheme will be consistent with USDA Forest Service colors of forest green and tan," according to the solicitation.
It is unclear how much the new equipment will cost taxpayers. The Forest Service does not have a budget, and said, "We are hoping to offer our visitors the highest-quality playground area and equipment for the best price to the government."