There is something about children at play that captures a moment of pure innocence and beauty and makes adults stop with nostalgia. The scene of children running through the grass, laughing and carefree, makes for a picture that is threaded with the joy of life, the innocence of youth, and the bliss of ignorance. This element was made into art this week at Brooklyn Utopia’s Park Space/Play Space. The reception on parks and public spaces took place at the Old Stone House in J.J Byrne Park, on the Park Slope-Gowanus border.

The upstairs gallery featured works such as Marina Zamin’s immersive video installation “Brooklyn Canals” and an animation projected onto a canvas with cutout flower pots and windows. There were also panoramic photo-murals of various blocks on Kent Avenue, as well as picture-postcards and descriptions of eminent domain cases across the city.

Some of the other works in the exhibit merge public space with technology. Lynn Cazabon’s “Uncultivated” project displays pictures of plants with QR codes beneath them. When someone scans the code, they are directed to a website which pinpoints the location of the plants and gives their species.

Then there is Skymills, an app which calls on the Old Stone House’s Dutch legacy and erects virtual windmills that can be viewed through an iPad or iPhone. The mills also create virtual skywriting, and the maker envisions the app as a virtual public space where users plant trees or write virtual messages that all users can see.

This entire exhibit of awe-inspiring art was itself inspired by children at play. In this, Rubberecyle is the expert. The beautiful scene of children playing can become ugly when injury intervenes. Recycled rubber mulch for playgrounds is eco-friendly, and it prevents injuries with added shock absorbency that truly allows children to play freely. The mulch will also appeal to the artist’s love of color, as it comes in a spectrum of colors to suit any setting, and gives a clean look. The makers of Playsafer mulch may also be called artists, for in their own way, they too, are making art, by providing playground equipment for children.

The days when a playground consisted of a tire hung on a tree and a grassy lawn are pretty much over. Today’s playgrounds are ever bigger and better, with playground equipment that is designed to exercise kids’ mental and physical boundaries and the latest in high tech materials. Enter the Imagination Playground.

Designed by David Rockwell, Imagination Playground takes the concept of free play and creativity to a whole new level. The playground equipment is made up of big blue foam blocks of all shapes and sizes. Using oversized cogs, wheels, spools and tubes, children create whimsical sculptures, construct castles and forts, and design vibrant vehicles that move. Joining curvy blocks with grooves, they form elaborate ramps and tracks and send balls rolling through. They stack, connect, design, configure and play – the possibilities are endless!  Imagination Playground is good for both indoor and outdoor playgrounds, but children will most enjoy themselves on rubber mulch flooring so they can bounce around safely.

Imagination Playground Blocks are made of a cross-linked Polyethylene foam manufactured in the United States. The closed-cell foam is soft, lightweight, waterproof, and biodegradable. It is resistant to sun, heat, mold, mildew, corrosion and micro-organisms. These highly-durable blocks can be transported to a landfill or returned to the manufacturer to be recycled when they are no longer wanted on the playground, making them eco-friendly, as is rubber mulch for playgrounds, the premium playground flooring. In fact, Imagination Playground was featured in UL’s Safe and Healthy Environment pavilion at the Earth Day Eco Village on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. during Earth Week. The UL pavilion featured interactive kiosks on family safety and provided useful information on maintaining healthy environments and the importance of safe play.

Imagination Playground materials can be purchased in a box or case for private use, or parents can take children to visit Imagination Playgrounds. The flagship playground is at South Street Seaport in Manhattan and a new playground is set to open at the Providence Children’s Museum during the April Spring Break. There are Imagination Playgrounds all across the country, and internationally, as well. With new technology and rubber mulch playground flooring, the possibilities for children’s’ play are endless.

It has come to the point in society where even do-gooders are criticized.

In response to an alarming rise in childhood obesity and pointed fingers that soft drinks are a large part of the cause, Coca-Cola and Pepsi have launched numerous programs in the recent past that are designed to promote physical activity and movement. As part of the growth of the movement, last year Coca-Cola bestowed on Howe Elementary School of Excellence on Chicago’s West Side a $25,000 grant for a new, safe playground.

After students wrote thank you letters to Coke, critics accused Coke of using this as another advertising tactic. They claim that this move associates in students’ minds the thought that their school approves of Coke, and by extension, their products. This criticism comes even in the face of the Assistant Principal’s statement that Coke did not in any way try to promote their products through the building of the playground.

Bystanders are left to wonder how the purely righteous act of donating a safe playground has become an advertising ploy in the minds of some.

In 2005 and 2006 PepsiCo joined forces with nonprofit organization KaBoom to build 12 new playgrounds across the United States. Last year along Coca-Cola’s Sprite brand invested an estimated $2 million in building and renovating 150 neighborhood parks, playgrounds, basketball courts, and fields. It is estimated that Coca-Cola’s pledges to the program will cost them an estimated $1 million a year for five years.

While critics knock Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the two companies have helped prevent numerous injuries by installing rubber mulch flooring in their playgrounds. When they build a playground, they do it all the way. The playgrounds built by these corporate giants feature the latest technology to help improve playground safety, and they know that is starts with rubber mulch flooring.

The critics can keep up their complaints while Coke and Pepsi work to promote exercise in children in a safe manner, with rubber mulch playground flooring.

Governments around the world are becoming aware and, in turn, making others aware of the necessity of recycling and going green. A large push is made annually in the weeks after Christmas, when thousands of homes house dying Christmas trees. In days of old, people just left their trees out with the trash. In today’s day and age, however, local and state governments are urging homeowners to recycle their trees and keep the planet healthy.

Right after Christmas New York held their annual Mulchfest, where people were able to drop their trees off at numerous parks around the city and have them ground into mulch chips. Other states and counties are following suit. The Coloradoan reports that January 17 is the deadline for homeowners to recycle trees. Residents are asked to remove all ornaments, lights, strings, wires, fake snow etc. before taking the tree to one of the drop-off points. The city will process the trees into mulch for gardening and landscaping purposes, which will be free for the public in the spring at Larimer County Landfill. At the Hamilton-Wenham Green, one dollar from each tree recycled will go to help local charities, a way to pass on the goodwill.

Old Christmas trees are turned into wood mulch for gardening, but using rubber mulch is also an eco-friendly way to garden and floor playgrounds. Rubber tire mulch is made from tires that have breathed their last breaths. Another form of recycling, rubber mulch has many excellent uses, and is just as eco-friendly as the wood chips that are made out of Christmas trees.

While the majority of the government sponsored programs that recycle used Christmas trees turn them into mulch, some cities have other ideas. In St. Louis, for example, the trees are drowned in marked areas of lakes. The trees on the bottoms of the lakes become homes for thousands of fish for years to come, providing protection from predators and a gathering place for fish to feed and spawn. Since state laws a few years back prohibited counties from throwing trees into landfills, different municipalities have come up with creative solutions. Like other cities, the trees that are not thrown into lakes are turned into landscape mulch.

On a whole the number of recycled trees has dipped over the years, but some counties say that the worsened economy may have attributed to the figures because as the prices of fresh-cut trees rise, more people turn to artificial trees.

By recycling their Christmas trees, people have a chance to let Christmas live on, by giving the gifts of health and life to planet earth.

Any mother of an infant knows that babies grow at an extremely fast pace. You’ve finally finished putting together their wardrobe for the season, when nothing fits anymore, and you have to start again. With crawling babies that job is even harder, as everything is always dirty, and the knees of pants are always worn out. A small consolation is that a baby who crawls in the winter is indoors. Babies who crawl in the summer will be even dirtier, and tear their pants even more. When choosing playground flooring, rubber mulch is a great option in this situation.

As opposed to grass which leaves grass stains and wood chips which leave splinters and black streaks, rubber mulch flooring leaves no splinters or stains on clothes. Playsafer Rubber mulch comes in a variety of colors, none of which leave marks on clothing. Rubber is also easier on babies’ hands and knees as it is pliable, and it is odor free.

Playgrounds may be floored with rubber mulch chips or rubber bond. The chips are usually in an enclosed area that is surrounded by rubber curbs. Rubber bond is created by spreading a thick layer of mulch chips which is then covered by a layer of rubber that has a high polyurethane bond. The effect is a smooth, clean surface that retains the characteristics of rubber mulch chips. This option will be better for crawling babies, but it is more expensive than rubber mulch chips. Rubber bond also provides a safe surface for kids to play hopscotch, jump rope, ball, or anything that suits their fancy. Each family must weigh the pros and cons for their specific situation.

Rubber playground flooring offers exasperated mothers a simple solution to constant grass and mud stains and splinters. It is the finishing touch on a perfect playground.

Public parks are meant for children to play in, and it’s a real pity when they’re left to rot. The Daily News reports that for the past three years, Community District 18, which consists of Canarsie, Platlands, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, and Marine Park, has earned the distinction of being lowest in cleanliness and general conditions. This data is compiled by the city’s Parks Inspection Program, which rates city parks based on litter, graffiti, playground equipment, and general conditions. Aside for being unsanitary, parks that earn low marks can also pose danger hazards for the children playing in them.

In cities especially, where grass is hard to come by, children spend lots of their time in city parks, and are subject to the conditions there. A growing awareness is being made of the need for rubber mulch flooring. Aside for aesthetics, rubber mulch is a necessary part of any commercial playground that is serious about playground safety.

Playsafer rubber mulch is used in the White House playground, an example that cities should follow. Available in different forms including rubber chips, rubber bond surfacing, rubber wearmats, and rubber curbs, the rubber flooring for playgrounds suits any need. A major consideration in any city or commercial expenditure is budgeting. Rubber mulch shows high returns, with little maintenance required and a long life span. An investment in rubber mulch is an investment for the future.

Rubber surfacing is recommended for city playgrounds because its high shock absorbency makes it a safer option, helping to prevent injuries in children. It is also entirely eco-friendly, made from recycled rubber and other sustainable materials. The use of rubber mulch satisfies all the concerns faced by a city, namely, safety, budget, and eco concerns.

When visiting homes or schools for special children, there is often interesting equipment and apparatus meant to help the children develop. One thing that is universal is rubber mulch flooring in their playgrounds. The reason that rubber mulch is so popular in these areas is because the tire mulch has an extra spring, absorbing the impact from falls and preventing injuries. Children who are uncoordinated and stumble easily are protected with rubber mulch flooring.

While rubber mulch is especially necessary in schools for special children, it can be a safety feature in any home. Even the most coordinated and athletic child can stumble when running and hurt themselves. Rubber mulch should be a main consideration for private and commercial playgrounds.

Schools for special children combine a variety of recycled rubber products for the ultimate in playground safety. The playgrounds are floored in either rubber mulch chips that are surrounded by rubber curbs, or are paved with Playsafer rubber bond. In the case of special children, rubber bond is often the better choice because there are no particles to be thrown around or trip over. The rubber bond is created by spreading a thick layer of Playsafer rubber mulch chips that is then covered with a layer of rubber that is combined with a high quality polyurethane bond. The result is a floor that is soft and springy, yet smooth and sleek.

Another important component of a safe playground are rubber wearmats in areas of high impact. The mats are simply for added absorption at the bottoms of slides or other areas where children tend to land with impact.

While these safety precautions are considered a necessity for special children, they can also help the average child play more easily, and with less risk. Consider a variety of Rubberecycle rubber mulch products for your playground.

When people plan their playgrounds or landscaping, often the last thing that comes to mind is the curbs that will be used to surround landscaping, playground equipment, or sandboxes. However, this is something vital, and if not done correctly, the curbs can break and allow mulch or sand to leak, creating a mess out of carefully planned spaces.

Often the best curbs are rubber, for a variety of reasons. Rubber curbs are more pliable than wood, and don’t weather the way wood does. They can be bent to fit any shape with little effort. Rubber playground borders are also more resilient than wood, and eliminate the danger of splinters in children. The neutral brown tone of Playsafer rubber curbs make them compatible with any playground or area, and they come in many lengths. An added perk of rubber curbs is that they are interlocking and stackable.

While wood curbs require expert installation, rubber curbs and rubber wearmats are easy to install and come with safety caps and spikes. After spending a pretty penny on a new playground, saving on installation is always welcome. Rubber curbs also benefit the grass, mulch, or sand they are surrounding because they dry and drain quickly after rainfall. It is a known fact that wood curbs decompose over time, allowing weeds to trample them and drive them into the ground until all signs of their existence are gone. Rubber, as a synthetic material, does not decompose, and will have a longer life span, proudly guarding the sandbox.

When children visit a new playground, all they see is the gleaming new slide towering above them, and they don’t stop to think about all that goes into a beautiful playground. Be sure to install rubber curbs so that your playground will retain its neat, shiny new look for years to come.

The Make a Wish foundation is renowned for the abundance of good it does in providing sick children with their wishes. They have again brought light into the life of a child with a home playground for Owen Payton, a five-year-old with congenital heart defects. Owen has had multiple surgeries on his heart, and is plagued with a number of medical maladies. He loves to play in the park, and when the foundation called, that was his request. Owen’s parents are also offered a measure of peace of mind with their new home playground, as Owen can now play by himself in the backyard with his friends, and they can rest assured of the playground safety, as well as the fact that he is nearby in case of emergency.

No playground is complete without a rubber mulch floor. Especially in this case, where Owen’s body is fragile, a rubber mulch playground surface would help ensure safety from injuries. This is because synthetic mulch flooring has extra absorbency, preventing injuries from falls. It also comes in a variety of colors that are sure to cheer up any child. The wish that the Make a Wish foundation granted in this case is unique in that it is a lasting one, unlike a vacation. A rubber mulch floor needs no costly maintenance, the finishing touch on the fulfillment of a child’s dream.

Rubber mulch comes to serve added benefits to playgrounds everywhere, with better protection, an odor free nature, and no residue or dirt left on children while they play. Parents also enjoy the financial freedom of a floor that lasts. Many children dream of their own personal playgrounds, where they rule. A rubber mulch floor is the finishing touch.

A committee of donors has shown the importance of rubber mulch in playgrounds for child safety. In the last eighteen months, the group has raised fifty thousand dollars for a new piece of playground equipment in Memorial Park, in Hillsboro, New Jersey. The elaborate three tiered structure features a climbing wall, twisting tube slide, shorter open slide, and other exciting features. Most important is the landing zone around the structure, which uses soft and shock absorbent rubber mulch, as opposed to the previously used sand. Although this has been a great accomplishment, the volunteers are hoping to raise money for another piece of new equipment, and rubber mulch landing pads around the older structures.

Rubber mulch is rising as the latest and greatest in playground safety. It comes in the form of rubber chips, rubber curbs, and rubber wear mats for high impact areas. The playground surface is soft and spongy, preventing injuries, and facilitating children’s play. Playsafer rubber mulch comes in many colors for a cheerful look, and leaves no residue, resulting in clean children. Although it is a costly expenditure, rubber flooring for playgrounds pays itself off quickly, as it requires no maintenance or replenishing for years.

Memorial Park in Hillsboro is just one commercial playground among many that is recognizing the benefits of rubber mulch, both financially, and for the safety of children.