Safety Perspectives of Public Playgrounds from an Australian Regional Community Toddler Playgroup

Given the predominant outdoor lifestyle, it is not surprising that public playgrounds play an integral role in the lives of Australian families. Nonetheless, in 2018 it was reported that over 150 Australian children (aged 0-14 years) are killed and over 68,000 hospitalized each year because of unintentional injuries – such as falls from public playground equipment. The youngest victims of playground equipment-related injuries are under 2 years old. The purpose of this pilot study was to survey caregivers of toddlers (ages 0-2 years), to obtain their perspec-tive on how well playground equipment met their very young child’s needs. A local regional community play-group (cohort of 36 caregivers) comprising of parents, grandparents and nannies (paid family assistants), agreed to participate. Survey data was collected anonymously. Caregivers indicated that (1) their child could not fully participate in the playground’s offerings; (2) felt that the playground was not appropriate for their toddler and (3) dreamed of an age-appropriate playground that met their young child’s needs. Despite millions of dollars being spent on public playgrounds, with designs and equipment meant to surpass the playgrounds of yesteryear, this project raises the question: Are public playgrounds really any safer today than before?