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Discusses the American with Disabilities Act, a civil rights act requiring that all businesses, including parks and recreation facilities, be accessible to people with disabilities. The article discusses discrimination, integration, funding concerns, attitudes, and staffing issues. Information sources are listed. (SM)

Safe playgrounds are an essential mission for public park, recreation, education, and child care agencies. The article describes how to create safety programs and offers lists of safety program components, safety inspection steps, and preventive maintenance schedules. It also presents playground safety checklists and notes three available commercial systems. (SM)

Fitness trails for senior adults are being developed in retirement communities and community parks nationwide to enhance total fitness through activities that build cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance. Recreation planners must create fitness trails that are interesting, enjoyable, safe, and appropriate for the senior population. (SM)

Suggests an environmental ethic for parks and recreation professionals who are often on the wrong side of the environmental controversy because they lack a professional ethic. This article provides a guide for implementing an environmental ethic, noting that philosophy of service must be grounded in ecological principles, not merchant values. (SM)

Current trends in park maintenance are overviewed, including maintenance impact statements, avoidance of cost through efficient use and national resource conservation, horticultural accomplishments that influence maintenance management, and vandalism prevention. (CB)

The Parcourse Fitness Circuit is a walking, jogging, or running course with 18 exercise stations. The course's popularity stems from its diversity and its ability to be used by people at various levels of physical fitness. Physically disabled persons can use various exercise stations, depending on the specific disability. (CJ)

The concept of Adventure Playgrounds, adult-supervised spaces with raw materials which children can use to design their own play areas, is explained. California Adventure Playgrounds at Huntington Beach and Irvine are described. Costs, equipment requirements, and the need for community participation are discussed. (PP)

Playgrounds should be diverse and flexible so that children have many different opportunities for natural, creative play. Equipment should encourage group activities, challenge children at different levels of development, and enhance physical fitness. Such playgrounds could receive enthusiastic public support. (PP)

This article explains how recreational staff, educators, and community groups can work together to make parks into environments for learning as well as play. Use of unusual resources such as old gas works parts, dairy equipment, outdoor camps, and mobile crafts units for educational activities in parks is described. (PP)

A description is given of design plans for a park to be used by handicapped as well as nonhandicapped children. (JD)

Water-play parks, a relatively new recreational concept, represent an excellent and highly lucrative development opportunity for public parks and recreation departments. Location, site requirements, construction costs, expected revenue return, and activities and facilities appropriate for these parks are discussed. (PP)

Public recreation administrators have often created bland recreational settings because of legislation, policies, and lawsuits. It is time to reintroduce the opportunity for adventurous, professionally managed risk experiences. Safe activities which give children a sense of risk are discussed, and points to be considered when organizing such activities are listed. (PP)

Characteristics of a safe and attractive bike trail are described. (JD)