<div><p>Play is important for cognitive, emotional, and physical development of children. Use the four components experts have identified for safety: supervision, age-appropriate design, fall-surfacing that contains approved materials, and equipment maintenance.</p><p></p><p>This handbook is what you need to maintain an existing, or to create a new, pleasing, and challenging playground that is safe, but not boring.</p><p><b>Heather M. Olsen, EdD</b>, is executive director of the National Program for Playground Safety.</p><p><b>Susan D. Hudson, PhD</b>, has been an educator, consultant, and practitioner in the field of leisure, youth, and human services for over thirty-nine years.</p><p><b>Donna Thompson, PhD</b>, founded the National Program for Playground Safety.</p></div>