The articles in this monograph reflect the findings of a national survey that assessed the condition and needs of elementary school playground equipment. The following articles are presented: (1) "The Committee on Play and Its Mission" (D. Thompson); (2) "The National Survey of Elementary School Playground Equipment" (L. Bowers); (3) "Results of the Survey" (L. Bowers and L. Bruya); (4) "Location, Accessibility, and Equipment on Playgrounds" (S. Wortham); (5) "Slides, Swings and Climbing Equipment" (D. Thompson); (6) "Rotating, Spring Rocking, and See Saw Equipment" (S. Langendorfer); (7) "Sand Area, Wading Area, Signs, Trees & Pathways" (L. Bruya); (8) "Twenty-one Conclusions: Seventeen Safety Problems" (L. Bowers and L. Bruya); (9) "Our Nation's Playgrounds: In Need of Help" (D. Thompson); (10) "Teacher Preparation: Guidelines for Safe Play" (P. Lowe); (11) "Development Neglected on Hand-Me-Down Playgrounds" (S. Wortham); (12) "Negligence: Safety from Falls Overlooked" (J. Beckwith); and (13) "The New Challenge: Playground Upgrades" (L. Bruya). The following appendices are included: (1) Mission Statement for the Committee on Play; (2) National Elementary School Playground Equipment Survey; (3) Trained Volunteer Survey Administrators; (4) Playground selection process; and (5) The Playground Assessment (PEA) revised instrument. (JD)