X marks the spot for fun on the Criss Cross play system. Designed for older children, the entire system focuses on climbing and using full body strength. Simultaneously simple and challenging, the Criss Cross is sure to grab children’s attention for long periods of time. The two Inclined Columns are more difficult than you would suspect as they only have handles up the length of the post requiring children to come up with innovative footing techniques to make it to the top. Once at the top, they can swing on over to the central X of the Firefighter Climb. As they scamper up and down the ladders, they find they can move between the sides. Then they can swing across on the Handring Maze or take a turn on the Skygame 5 Rail.
When choosing a playground it is important to consider where the components have come from. Conditioned wood or recycled metal posts are both opportunities to take part in environmental stewardship. Wood was once a staple of playground design, but as time has continued, it has become less common. But, wood and natural materials make for natural learning environments that can be important for children’s development. Several teaching methods use nature and natural tools as ways to reach children. On the other hand, the recycled metal used comes from items that would otherwise rust away in dumps. The recycled plastic comes from specifically milk jugs. As Americans, we tend to drink a large amount of milk every day. This results in millions of used milk contains every year. Even if the play set purchased only uses a few thousand of those milk jugs, its that many more that didn’t end up in a landfill. Your playground purchase can be part of the solution that limits waste.
For similarly sized play structures, check out the Ascend and the Rainier. For larger systems, check out the Mauna Loa and the Quadrant.
