CLASS DESCRIPTION
Selecting playground equipment is about far more than aesthetics and budget—it’s about safety, compliance, and long-term performance. This course guides parks and recreation professionals through the critical steps involved in purchasing certified playground equipment and ensuring proper installation by qualified professionals. Participants will learn why product certification matters, how to evaluate installers and surfacing contractors, and how informed decisions during procurement directly impact safety, liability, and maintenance costs.
Through real-world examples and industry standards, this session provides practical guidance to help agencies confidently move from product selection to final installation while meeting national safety and certification requirements.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the importance of purchasing certified playground equipment and surfacing products.
- Identify key certifications relevant to playground equipment and installers.
- Describe the risks associated with non-certified products and improper installation.
- Evaluate contractors and installers based on certification and qualifications.
- Apply best practices to reduce liability and improve playground safety outcomes.
After successfully passing the Knowledge Check, participants will receive a completion certificate and follow-up email. The PRB+ University team is actively working to create partnerships with CEU-accrediting agencies and administrators. Please check back regularly for updates about new CEU partners, approved courses, and submission details: https://www.prbplus.com/ceus/.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Kelly Clark, Certification Associate, has overseen certification programs for both NPCAI and IPEMA since 2013. Her responsibilities include ensuring compliance to the certification program(s) as well as instructor training and working with third-party validators. Prior to this position, Kelly worked with various other associations.