Injury Prevention on Playgrounds, at Home and in the Neighborhood
The Injury Free Coalition for Kids
More than half of the Injury Free coalitions built playgrounds, typically with plastic or rubber materials, a soft ground covering and other features to prevent injuries. A number of sites built multiple playgrounds—for example, aided by $600,000 from the Danforth Foundation, St. Louis Children's built 32 playgrounds, including one designed for children with disabilities.
The purpose—and impact—of the playground projects went beyond just providing safe places for children to play, according to Injury Free staff members. By bringing neighborhood residents into the planning and construction process, the Injury Free teams were also building community, says Barbara Barlow, M.D., the program's director.
Injury Free Coalition for Kids Sidebars
Stories from the RWJF national program, Injury Free Coalition for Kids: Dissemination of a Model Injury-Prevention Program for Children and Adolescents
Read the Program Results for Injury Free Coalition for Kids View all