Photo by Tom Kalousek Attendees participate in classroom learning and group exercises during the two-day training.

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CLEMSON — Clemson University has a new playground maintenance certificate program to educate participants about maintenance issues that affect playgrounds and the surrounding environment.

The first Playground Maintenance Certificate of Completion Program was held in November in Beaverton, Ore. It marked the launch of a new opportunity for Clemson to meet its public service mission while also promoting safe and active play.

The Beaverton program provided 39 participants with practical information to help them keep kids safe. In particular, they identified learning the process and suggested frequency of inspections and how to identify and overcome such common maintenance issues as rust and rot.

The Playground Maintenance Certificate of Completion Program is an entry-level program for frontline maintenance professionals.

It is taught by professional instructors with years of experience in playground safety using “Maintaining Child’s Play — A Comprehensive Guide for Maintaining Safe Playgrounds,” written specifically for the program, as well as supplemental handouts. At Clemson, the program is coordinated through the parks, recreation and tourism management department in conjunction with the US Play Coalition.

More information about the playground maintenance program is online