This book is a guide to setting up playgrounds from junk materials--used tires, cable reels, inner tubes, and railroad ties, among others--that are child-oriented rather than created primarily for the convenience of adult superintendents. Interwoven with many photographs and plans showing how to use the materials is the author's commentary--part reminiscence, and part analysis of his own successes and failures at involving communities in the creation and maintenance of playgrounds that are inexpensive to build, ecologically sound, and stimulating for the children who use them. The importance of community commitment through active involvement in the planning, physical building, and maintenance of the playground is emphasized. This commitment should involve children as well as their parents and those corporations that can be persuaded to contribute used or excess materials or space. The concluding section points out that these playgrounds are not maintenance-free and that the care taken in their upkeep is part of a community's commitment to "do something for itself"--to build a playground rather than buy one. (Author/MLF)