State of Play 2026
A multi-chapter opinion report on the state of playground design — height, risk, safety, and who playgrounds are really being built to serve. Written by Nicolas Breedlove, Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Playgrounds are getting taller, louder, and more extreme — and it's worth asking who that actually serves. State of Play 2026 takes a chapter-by-chapter look at the decisions shaping modern playgrounds: the heights we build to, the risks kids face, and the difference between equipment built for children and equipment built for attention.
The Five-Foot Mountain
An opinion on height, risk, and who playgrounds are really being built to serve.
The Cost of Going Tall
An opinion on responsibility and why less height makes more sense.
The Accessibility Loophole
An opinion on ADA exemptions, oversized structures, and who gets left out.
The Balance of Risk
An opinion on fun, calculated risk, and why playgrounds live between danger and overprotection.
The Rules Are Written by Whoever Shows Up
An opinion on how playground safety standards are made, who makes them, and what’s missing from the conversation.
Numbers Don’t Build Great Playgrounds
An opinion on why bigger specs don’t mean better playgrounds.
Why Small Budgets Get Ghosted
The reason smaller projects get overlooked, and how to navigate the sales process.
The Truth About Playground Warranties
Big numbers look good, but what does your playground warranty really cover?
Still Getting Hurt
Why playground injuries remain high, and who’s responsible for changing that.