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22
WINTER
2010
IC preschool playgrounds in Ras Beirut and
Ain Aar now boast the best specifications in the
Middle East.
“The health and safety of our students is our
most important priority here at IC,” said IC
President, John Johnson. “We are constantly
looking for ways to improve IC campus to make
it a safer place for our children. What better
place then our preschool playgrounds?”
At a cost of $250,000, no money has been
spared when it came to ensuring the safety of
the school’s youngest students.
While no studies have been conducted in Leba-
non, the US Consumer Product Safety Com-
mission quotes that a yearly 50,000 children (in
the US) end up in the emergency room because
of playground injuries – 80 percent of which
occur from a fall from a play equipment. A rub-
berized playground greatly reduces the chances
of such injuries.
Both playgrounds are now covered by a multi-
colored real instu EPDM rubber flooring that
is non allergic, non-toxic and mold-free.There
are two levels of rubber thicknesses: a 10cm
thickness around the play equipment that is
safe for a fall from 2.5m height and a 5cm
thickness in all other areas that is safe from a
fall from 1.5m height.
The rubber, which is made from used tires
and considered a “green” alternative, has been
tested and certified according to international
standards.
While the Ras Beirut playground - designed
by Karim Bekdashe - reveals a medley of warm
rainbow colors, the Ain Aar playground - de-
signed by
Hani Asfour ‘83
- includes a maze
and three-dimensional objects.
New Rubberized preschool playgrounds