Changes

As more playgrounds spread in the 1950s-1960s, children safety became an issue once again, particularly as injuries were high and now parents began to see manufacturers and park administrators as reponsibile for injuries incurred. This time, the material used, mostly metal (steel), became a concern. Manufacturers of metals had seen playgrounds as an opportunity for business, but the material, if not treated properly, could harm children, such as with sharp edges on slidesor even rust developing. Even as new novelty playgrounds continued to be developed, such as imagination playgrounds that had rocket ships and other make-believe ideas incorporated, parents began to clamour for change. Playground equipment soon began to become more rounded in shape, particularly in edges, to avoid bad cuts. Additionally, manufacturers began to experiment and use harder plastics for slides and other equipment such as the monkey barsand slides. Equipment also became more standardized as more parks were created with play areas for children, dropping prices and enabling the spread of different equipment.<ref>For more on how safety became an increasing issue for playgrounds, see: Biondo, Brenda. 2014. <i>Once upon a Playground: A Celebration of Classic American Playgrounds, 1920-1975</i>. Lebanon, NH: ForeEdge, an imprint of University Press of New England, pg. ix.</ref>

Since the 1980s, additions such as new surfaces have become popular, ranging from wood chips, to reused rubber from old tyres. Imaginative playgrounds have become even more popular since then, including themes such as jungles or , fortresses, and pirate ships. Playgrounds, interestingly, once again began to be seen as part of childhood education, although less formal formally than it was seen in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Mazes and puzzles as part of play were introduced more regularly to get children to be physically involved while also using their minds in activities. Today, in combating childhood obesity, playgrounds are seen as essential elementsto also get children away for activities that are only indoor. Since the 2000s, there has been a resurgence in communities raising funds to build more playgrounds, particularly in more urban areas. Inner city areas, with limited green space, have also developed more space for playgrounds as a way to not only fight off obesity but also keep children active and buys busy so they do not get involved in harmful activities. Playgrounds Indoor playgrounds became a novelty during the post-World War II safety drive. They have since increased not only because they are seen as safer in some urban areas but also been created more indoors as well as outdoorsthey provide the benefit of all-year round play for children.<ref>For more on recent developments in playgrounds, see: Solomon, Susan G. 2005. <i>American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space</i>. Hanover [N.H.]: University Press of New England.</ref>