Method and System for Assessing Play Value of a Playground

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for determining the play value of a playground, the challenge level of a playground, or both. In some embodiments, the methods and systems may propose modifications to a playground that would result in an effective and efficient increase in the play value of the playground, a desired increase or decrease in the challenge level of the playground, or both. Further, in some embodiments, the methods and systems may be configured to provide comparisons of various playgrounds in order to determine which playgrounds are of greatest play value. In some embodiments, the methods and systems may be incorporated into software that is configured for the design of playgrounds.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for determining the play value of an existing or prospective playground comprising:
 causing a user to identify one or more categories of physical play opportunities that are present in a playground;   for each identified category of physical play opportunity:
 causing a user to identify a total number of components in the playground within the identified category, 
 causing a user to identify a number of unique components in the playground within the identified category, and 
 causing a user to identify a challenge level of each unique component in the playground within the identified category; and 
   assigning a play value to the playground based at least in part on the total number of components, the number of unique components, and the challenge level of the components within each identified category of physical play opportunity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein assigning the play value to the playground comprises:
 determining a play value score for each identified category of physical play opportunity based on at least the total number of components, the number of unique components, and the challenge level of the components within each identified category; and   combining the play value scores for each identified category of physical play opportunity to assign a play value to the playground.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the challenge levels of the components within an identified category of physical play opportunity are compared to determine the number of unique challenge levels that are provided by the components within the identified category. 
     
     
         4 . The method or system of  claim 3 , wherein a play value for each identified category of physical play opportunity is determined by combining at least the total number of components within the identified category, the number of unique components within the identified category, and the number of unique challenge levels provided by the components within the identified category. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing a user to identify the challenge level of each unique component within an identified category of physical play opportunity comprises:
 providing one or more challenge indicator factors;   within each factor, providing a plurality of component descriptors, each of the component descriptors being assigned a value;   causing a user to select a component descriptor from within each factor; and   assessing a challenge level of the component using the values of the selected component descriptors.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising assigning the playground a challenge score based at least in part on the total number of components in the playground that fall within each challenge level. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a climbing category and wherein the challenge factors for the climbing category include one or more of the following: distance between risers, inclination, direction, stability of step, and height. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a spinning category and wherein the challenge factors for the spinning category include one or more of the following: body support and inclination. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a balancing category and wherein the challenge factors for the balancing category include one or more of the following: distance between steps, inclination, stability of step, grip/grasp, and height. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a sliding category and wherein the challenge factors for the sliding category include one or more of the following: direction, enclosure, and height. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a swinging category and wherein the challenge factors for the swinging category include one or more of the following: hanging point, seat, and swing types. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the categories of physical play opportunities include a crawling category and wherein the challenge factors for the crawling category include one or more of the following: inclination, direction, and enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: causing a user to identify the number of components that promote social play and assigning a play value to the playground based at least in part on the number of components that promote social play. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical play opportunity categories comprise at least the following: climbing, spinning, rocking, balancing, sliding, swinging, crawling, and upper-body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 causing a user to identify one or more categories of cognitive play opportunities that are present in the playground;   for each identified category of cognitive play opportunity, performing the following:
 causing a user to identify the total number of components in the playground within the identified category, and 
 causing a user to identify the number of unique components in the playground within the identified category; and 
   assigning the play value to the playground based at least in part on the total number of components and the number of unique components within each identified category of cognitive play opportunity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising determining a distribution between a play value of the one or more categories of physical play opportunities and a play value of the one or more categories of cognitive play opportunities. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 causing a user to provide information about a playground site, and   assigning a play value rating to the playground based at least in part on the information about the playground site.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the information about a playground site relates to one or more of the following: enclosures, accessibility, seating opportunities, plants, signs, shade-providing covering, safety surfaces, surface variety, bike racks, picnic tables, fitness stations, stroller parking, water fountains, changes in topography, and thematic features. 
     
     
         19 . A method for modifying a playground in order to efficiently increase its play value, comprising:
 determining the play value of an existing or prospective playground using the method of  claim 1 ;   determining one or more modifications that result in an increase to the play value of the playground; and   implementing at least one of the one or more modifications to the playground.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein determining one or more modifications comprises:
 determining the play value of the playground with an addition of each of a plurality of potential new playground components, and   selecting one or more potential new playground components that provide the largest increase to the play value of the playground.