​The Architecture, Campus Planning, and Design Team provides guidance and project management services for the installation of commercial playground equipment for all campuses housing elementary school students. We work in conjunction with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' (CMS) Environmental Health & Safety, Maintenance, and Property Management Departments as well as Capital Program Services and Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation to ensure that playgrounds on our campuses comply with applicable safety and design specifications.

Schools generally acquire new playground equipment through various ways.  Examples include: As part of a capital project, through routine facility maintenance and sustainment, and as gifts from Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) or other donor organization.  All new playground equipment installed on CMS property must be:

• Commercial grade
• ADA compliant with the 2010 Department of Justice Standards for Accessible Design
• Certified by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association to ensure compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM safety guidelines
• Inspected by a 3rd party Certified Playground Safety Inspector upon completion of installation
• Connected to a school entrance via an accessible path of travel

Gifts and donations of playground equipment must be approved by CMS through the Giving of Gifts Procedure.