Raising The Standard

As a mom of three young children, I want their childhood to be filled with sunshine, laughter, climbing, and the simple joy of being outside. Playgrounds should be places where kids can explore freely and parents can feel confident letting them play. But over time, something started to weigh on me. Too often, we would pull up to playgrounds that looked dirty, neglected, or poorly maintained. Surfaces looked grimy. Equipment felt questionable. And as much as my kids were excit

Playgrounds are some of the most loved spaces in any community. They are where children climb, run, laugh, and burn off endless energy. But with that constant activity comes something many people do not think about: buildup. Dirt, pollen, debris, bacteria, and residue can accumulate quickly on playground equipment, especially on the surfaces children touch the most. Slides, climbing bars, handrails, swings, and activity panels are used repeatedly throughout the day by dozens,

Why This Topic Matters Most people assume that if a playground looks clean, it is clean. But appearance and sanitation are two very different things. Playgrounds are high-touch environments where dozens or even hundreds of children play every day. Slides, climbing bars, railings, and interactive panels are constantly touched by small hands that often go straight to mouths, noses, and faces. Research published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that people tou