Proposed features/Extended playground equipment

Proposal

This proposal intends to add more values to the list of documented playground devices and to extend the playground wiki page with some examples and guidelines for detailed playground mapping.

Rationale

There is already an established list of playground devices that can be mapped with the key "A" as individual objects within a playground. This allows precise evaluations of the features and quality of playgrounds or renderings of detailed maps and plans.

However, there is a great variety of playground equipment that cannot always be matched with the existing values. We are a group of mappers who have done a lot of playground mapping over the past few years and have come across a number of playground equipment that we miss. The TagInfo listing shows that other mappers seem to feel the same, so there has always been a need to get creative to come up with new tags. This has led to a large number of parallel, rarely used, undocumented and therefore hardly interpretable tags. We would like to close this gap and make recommendations on how such equipment should be tagged.

Playground equipment comes in almost every imaginable shape, design and function. It will never be possible to map every single one of them exactly. However, it is mostly possible to match even unusual, special devices into a certain "class" of equipment, e.g. balancing, climbing or water equipment. For this purpose, this proposal provides some general class values as a fallback in order to be able to map and evaluate such special devices in an interpretable way.

Tagging

ToDo More compact table/format?

List of new device values

Key	Value	Element	Comment	Photo	TagInfo
Some general new devices
playground	belt_bridge		A tensioned, flat (mostly rubber) band to bounce on.	belt_bridge belt_bridge
playground	spring_board		A board or plane to stand on that is attached to the ground by springs and thus wobbles when standing/moving on it. Can sometimes also be equipped with holding bars to allow to "surf" on it.	spring_board spring_board
playground	hamster_wheel		A large spinning tube to go inside and twist arround, similar to a hamster's wheel.	hamster_wheel
playground	ride		A fixed installation to sit on.	ride
playground	track		A path on a playground that is intended and equipped as a race track (e.g. by markings, obstacles or objects such as "petrol stations").	track
playground	musical_instrument		A musical instrument or device for making music and sounds. musical_instrument=* could be used to further specify the type of instrument.	musical_instrument
playground	megaphone		A tube device to shout through (not to be confused with a playground=speaking_tube, where two tubes are connected to communicate with each other).	megaphone
playground	blackboard		A board to draw on with chalk or something similar. "blackboard" would be the more common BrE term. --Polarbear w (talk) 22:34, 22 October 2022 (UTC) Thanks! It's even still in use more often (4x vs. 12x) - I have changed that. --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:02, 23 October 2022 (UTC)	blackboard
playground	table		A play table. Typically not sized for adults to sit at. May include seats or benches and can thus share similar tags as picnic tables.	table
playground	seat		A single seat or bench for children. Typically not sized for adults to sit at. Often part of play houses or similar.
playground	hammock		A hammock, i.e. a spanned/tensioned surface to lie on.	hammock
playground	artwork		A work of art/artful object as an element of playground decoration. If it has a significant art relevance, consider also adding tourism=artwork.	artwork
Devices as parts of playground structures
playground	steps		A stairway to get onto a platform or structure.	steps
playground	ladder		A ladder to climb onto a platform or structure.	ladder
playground	ropebridge		A simple suspension bridge whose deck is suspended merely by cables or similar attached at the ends of the bridge and therefore wobbles or swings when moving on it. This value is an easy way to distinguish suspended/wobbling bridges from fixed/solid bridges without requiring knowledge about bridge construction. However, consider adding bridge:structure=* or cable_number=* if you can identify them to specify this more precisely.	ropebridge
playground	platform		A raised platform. May be part of or similar to a structure in that bridges or other equipment may be attached. Unlike structures, platforms have neither roofs, walls nor handholds around them. They may appear as part of structures, though, to micromap individual levels with their heights. Well, differentiation to structure may be difficult after all. I'd probably say that this: File:Playground low platform with handrail.jpg is a platform, not a structure, but then I need a better way to distinguish them. Although that just as well be a structure, too, I guess, just without roof, with only one attached other device, and not very tall. --Ygramul (talk) 07:41, 3 September 2022 (UTC)	platform platform
Swing devices
playground	tire_swing		... Reifenschaukel. Besser: playground=swing mit Subtags? ([playground:]swing=tire/basket...).	tire_swing
playground	rope_swing		A swing element (usually a big rope) attached with chains or cables, on which usually several children can swing together at the same time.	rope_swing
Balance devices
playground	balance_rope		tordans: How do we distinguish "with/out handrail rope" just use Key handrail? ;) --Supaplex030 (talk) 15:35, 17 August 2022 (UTC) Would at least allow us to document whether there are handropes left, right or both. Ygramul (talk) 06:14, 18 August 2022 (UTC) Sometimes also found with two parallel ropes to walk on, which makes it easier for bipedal creatures to shuffle along both of them at the same time. Ygramul (talk) 06:14, 18 August 2022 (UTC) May also be a fairly thick rope to balance on,something of a difference between width=0.02 and width=0.15. Ygramul (talk) 06:14, 18 August 2022 (UTC) Those ropes are the play form of the more serious w:Slacklines - I wonder if the tag should refer to them.--Polarbear w (talk) 22:48, 22 October 2022 (UTC) I recently also thought of this: for example, the bottom of the three photos on the right shows a very flat shaped rope profile that is very similar to a slackline. But maybe it would be better to define slackline as a separate value? Because a slackline is a band/belt/strap (flat and somewhat broader, usually no "handrail"), while these "classic" balance ropes are simply (round) ropes of various sizes (often with "handrails"). By the way, playground=slackline already has 26 uses. I can take a photo of one in Neukölln. --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:02, 23 October 2022 (UTC) Documented slackline as an separate value now, see below. --Supaplex030 (talk) 20:35, 25 October 2022 (UTC)	balance_rope balance_rope balance_rope
playground	slackline		A slackline, i.e. a suspended flat webbing/band/belt/strap that is tensioned between two anchors.	slackline
playground	stepping_stone		Shifted stones or blocks with a distance between each other, for hopping or stepping from one to the next. See also fitness_station=stepping_stone, if the stepping stones are part of a leisure=fitness_station.	stepping_stone
playground	stepping_post		Shifted posts or poles with stepping elements with a distance between each other, for hopping or stepping from one to the next.	stepping_post stepping_post
Climbing devices
playground	climbing_slope		A sloped climbing plane, often with handholds or tethers and often part of a structure to reach a higher level. tordans: Could also be climbing_frame with rope support. "climbing_frame" scheint mehr für "Kletternetze"/netzförmige Kletterdinge reserviert zu sein. Ich würde eher an eine "Leiter" mit rope support denken, aber da diese Dinger so häufig sind, würde ich einfach nen eigenen Begriff dafür setzen. --Supaplex030 (talk) 15:35, 17 August 2022 (UTC) Those things also exist with various different foot supports (none, horizontal "steps" like in the picture, or protrusions commonly found on climbing walls). I've mapped those as climbing_slope in the past due to similarity to climbing_wall. Ygramul (talk) 06:14, 18 August 2022 (UTC) Maybee just use ladder or steps (depends on incline) with handrail:center=yes etc.? --Supaplex030 (talk) 22:20, 22 August 2022 (UTC) Just started to test the prefix tag notation playground=climbing:slope. +handrail:center=yes in the example picture. Good question how to specifiy different "foot supports". --Supaplex030 (talk) 11:21, 13 September 2022 (UTC) I like handle=yes for tagging foot and hand supports. --Supaplex030 (talk) 22:56, 27 October 2022 (UTC) handle is documented for things that allow to change the state of an object, though, and thus is more an interactive feature. Plus, the name implies hand operation, as do the current values. (yes isn't documented yet, although is probably a valid value that allows for iterative refinement. I'm not sure about this one. support is also used for something different. Perhaps something like foot_support? Handles for hand support could technically be handrail=yes, perhaps. --Ygramul (talk) 09:06, 8 November 2022 (UTC)	climbing_slope
playground	climbing_pole		tordans: Google image search for "climbing_pole" shows something different (free standing pole). I am using "firemans_pole" (or a variation of this). (Off topic: Great podcast on firemans poles) Kann man das so klar unterscheiden, ob man an der Stange nun nach oben klettert oder von oben nach unten rutscht? Ist das nicht eher für beide Richtungen gedacht? ;) Die klassische "Kletterstange" zum Klettern nach oben, wie ich sie noch aus dem Sportunterricht kenne, scheint es auch so kaum (noch) zu geben. "firemans pole" suggeriert für mich eher die nach-unten-Rutsch-Bewegung, was mir zu exklusiv wäre. Letztendlich sollte dieser Tag für Stangen aller Art zum Klettern/Rutschen geeignet sein. --Supaplex030 (talk) 15:35, 17 August 2022 (UTC) noch ein Argument für climbing_pole: Ist bereits bei fitness_station=* dokumentiert. --Supaplex030 (talk) 21:11, 20 August 2022 (UTC)	climbing_pole
playground	monkey_bars		Horizontal bars or hoops above head height to hang from by one's hands and move over hand over hand. For monkey bars that are part of a leisure=fitness_station, see fitness_station=horizontal_ladder.	monkey_bars
playground	parallel_bars		Two or more bars side by side. In a playground setting often slanted. For parallel bars that are part of a leisure=fitness_station, see fitness_station=parallel_bars. For vertical bars, playground=climbing_pole may be more appropriate.	parallel_bars
Rotating devices
playground	spinner		A rotating device that, in contrast to a playground=roundabout, is very small, mostly only a small footboard or seat on a stick for one child.	spinner
playground	spinning_disc		A simple rotating disc. In contrast to a playground=roundabout, there are no add-ons to sit or hold on to.	spinning_disc
Sand play devices
playground	sand_chute		A sloped tube or channel to transport sand by gravity from a higher to a lower place.	sand_chute
playground	sand_sieve		A sieve, allowing to separate fine-grained sand from gravel (in a playground setting typically not finer separated than that).	sand_sieve
playground	sand_wheel		A small wheel that turns when sand falls onto it. Often combined with a chute directly above.	sand_wheel
playground	sand_seesaw		A channel or board on a pivot that can either route sand in two different directions, or allows to dump all accumulated sand in a chute-like manner when pivoted (when initially horizontal).	sand_seesaw
playground	sand_pulley		A small bucket or similar device holding sand (also common are sections of tire) that can be moved to another place. Typically either horizontally or vertically; may be mounted on a swivel to give a little more movement range. Often part of structures where it then allows to transport sand to other sand play devices mounted on the structure.	sand_pulley
playground	sand_table		A board or table primarily intended for playing with sand. Often equipped with other sand toys such as a sieve.	sand_table
playground	excavator		A small play excavator, allowing to move sand (or that rounded fine gravel) around a bit. Always fixed in place. Usually unpowered as just a series of metal linkages controlling the excavator bucket. For bigger, usually fenced off excavators with a fee=yes consider using attraction=*.	excavator
Water devices
playground	pump		A water source to play with. Often this is an actual pump with handle, but may also have different forms, such as a water wheel lifting water from a reservoir, or a button that can be pressed for water to flow for a limited time. For water flowing continuously or without interaction, use sprinkler instead.	pump
playground	water_channel		An inclined channel for water to flow towards other devices. Typically raised so that multiple channels in series route water from a pump to ground level. For water channels in the ground, resembling natural streams, use water_stream instead.	water_channel
playground	water_stream		A meandering stream of water resembling a natural water stream and looking a tad less artificial. Often enclosed in an artificial bed of stones.	water_stream
playground	water_seesaw		A seesaw-like water channel for either diverting water to two different places, or for automatically tilting and emptying when full.	water_seesaw
playground	water_basin		A pool where water gathers, inviting either to run around in or combine it with sand to mud (also known as "mud table"). May have exits to other channels or even a drain in the bottom (sometimes with a plug).	water_basin basin with drain and plug
playground	water_barrier		A removable barrier for water that inhibits flow towards other devices, often via an adjacent channel.	water_barrier
playground	archimedes_screw		A screw-like device for lifting water from a lower to a higher elevation.	archimedes_screw
playground	water_wheel		A wheel with small buckets or paddles that rotates when water flows into and over it.	water_wheel
playground	water_cannon		...	water_cannon
playground	sprinkler		A continuously-running jet of water that is directed upward.	sprinkler
Topographical devices
playground	mound		Artificial hills, elevations, waves etc. intentionally designed for play. Sometimes devices like slides or tunnel tubes are placed on or in them.	mound
playground	dome		A half-sphere to play or slide on.	dome
Fallback values for devices, that clearly fit into one equipment category, but do not fit any of the existing subcategories
playground	balance		A special device to balance on.	balance
playground	climbing		A special device to climb on.
playground	rotator		A special rotating device.
playground	water		A special water device.
playground	sand		A special sand play device.

Examples for device detail mapping

• 
  playground=slide
  height=4
  covered=yes
  material=metal
• 
  playground=slide
  height=3
  incline=-56°
  material=metal
• 
  playground=steps
  step_count=9
  material=wood
• 
  playground=climbingframe
  material=chain
• 
  playground=climbingframe
  material=rope
  height=1.2
• 
  playground=climbingwall
  height=2
• 
  playground=seesaw
  capacity=3
• 
  playground=seesaw
  seesaw=standing(?)
  or better: standing=yes? Like seating=yes
• 
  playground=structure
  or playground=platform?
  provided_for:toddler=yes
  material=wood
• 
  playground=balance_rope
  handrail:center=yes
• 
  playground=belt_bridge
  capacity=3
• 
  playground=spinner
  seating=yes
• 
  playground=playhouse
  playground:theme=helicopter
• 
  playground=artwork
  artwork:type=sculpture
  material=sandstone

Features/Pages affected

• The list of playground=* equipment needs an update: Add the new values, regroup them in some more device categories and add more/detailled examples and guidelines.

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.

Frequently used values that are not yet documented in the playground list

Value	TagInfo	Image(s)	Notes
map		map	playground=map has a wiki page with description and examples, but value is not in the list.
four_square		four_square	Ground markings (similar to playground=hopscotch) for Four Square game (a team sport played among two teams with two players each on a square court divided into four quadrants).
tetherball			Wikipedia: Tetherball. Mostly/better mapped leisure=pitch + sport=tetherball.
outside_public_arranged			Special tagging from Nairobi
multi_play			Unclear. Some instances where Mapillary images exist nearby suggest that this may refer to structure and could be detail-mapped with more specific equipment. Example
playset			Might refer to playground=structure. Example
play_structure			Most likely a synonym for playground=structure.
swings			Use playground=swing + capacity=* instead.
swingset			Use playground=swing + capacity=* instead.
digger			Use playground=excavator instead.
forest			? Use landuse=*/landcover=* instead.
spinner			Probably another generic term for the various rotating devices.
basketball_backboard			Better use leisure=pitch + sport=basketball/sport=streetball (perhaps with hoops=1).
table_tennis (and variations)			Better use leisure=pitch + sport=table_tennis.
tunnel			See playground=tunnel_tube.
chess_table			Better use leisure=pitch + sport=chess. Apparently there is a difference between a chess table where you sit outdoors and play with regular size figures, and the pitch version with oversized figures. --Polarbear w (talk) 14:18, 23 October 2022 (UTC) For what it's worth; I've mapped chess tables as pitch in the past. From an OSM tagging standpoint it's still a place where a particular sport/game is played. Other accepted pitch usages vary in size considerably, as well. E.g. table_tennis is often just mapped as a node; same with basketball where hoops=1. --Ygramul (talk) 22:35, 25 October 2022 (UTC)
marble_run		marble_run	A rolling ball sculpture where a ball (often a marble) moves through a predefined course just by gravity.
parallel_bars			Consider using fitness_station=parallel_bars if it's part of a leisure=fitness_station.
tic-tac-toe			playground=activitypanel is documented for this, but a more precise specification might be good.
water_feature			Possibly replace with one of the more specific water devices if possible.

To be discussed

Some equipment may still not have an immediately obvious classification, even with the improvements we're thinking of. We can collect them here and discuss whether something sensible can come out of that or we need more tags.

Image(s)	Notes
	A large rotating pad to stand or sit on. Perhaps similar to playground=rotator_stickplayground=spinner above, just integrated into a structure. --Ygramul (talk) 07:24, 3 September 2022 (UTC) I'd classify it as a rotator_stick for now, I guess. It has basically the same function. --Ygramul (talk) 22:22, 25 October 2022 (UTC)
	Something like a hybrid between playground=rope_swing and playground=tire_swing. However, my bet would be more on playground=rope_swing here, just implemented with tires, since the mechanism of suspension and thus how it can move is very similar, albeit probably with more inertia. --Ygramul (talk) 07:24, 3 September 2022 (UTC) Maybee just playground=rope_swing + material=tire? --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:49, 9 October 2022 (UTC)
	Might be playground=balance or something like playground=swing + swing=pole (or any other way we want to categorize standing swings). --Ygramul (talk) 07:24, 3 September 2022 (UTC)

• tordans: Ein "Stehkreisel" Quelle Quelle; Bezug zu "roundabout"

Das ist etwa das was ich oben mit rotator meine (rotator_stick in meinem Verständnis, wenn es nichts zum draufstellen gibt). Aber alle rotierenden Dinge sollten wir am besten nochmal genauer durchdenken ;) --Supaplex030 (talk) 15:35, 17 August 2022 (UTC)

Nochmal drüber nachgedacht: Mmn fehlen nur rotator_stickspinner und spinning_disc (oben ergänzt). rotator könnte man als Fallback für Edge Cases dokumentieren, wenn wirklich nichts anderes passt. Die Geräte aus dem "Stehkreisel"-Link scheinen mir jeweils zu roundabout, rotator_stickspinner oder spinning_disc zu passen, je nach Größe und Ausstattung.--Supaplex030 (talk) 12:53, 11 October 2022 (UTC)

• Ygramul: Ein "Sitzkreisel" Beispiel. Gibt's in verschiedenen Formen. Aber ich glaube, sie sind alle leicht geneigt, so daß die normale Gewichtsverlagerung des Kreiselnden die Drehung beinahe automatisch aufrecht erhält.

Weiteres Bild hier - ähnlich wie ein rotator_stickspinner, aber nicht zum Stehen? --Supaplex030 (talk) 22:43, 18 August 2022 (UTC)

Hier noch eine Variante, die vermutlich sowohl stehend als auch sitzend verwendbar ist. --Ygramul (talk) 08:02, 20 August 2022 (UTC)

Würde das nicht alles etwa zu rotator_stickspinner passen? Man könnte (ähnlich wie bei Toiletten ;) über ein "seated"-Tag nachdenken, um auszudrücken, dass es eine Sitzmöglichkeit gibt. Ich finde seating, standing etc. für sowas ganz gut.--Supaplex030 (talk) 12:53, 11 October 2022 (UTC)

• Shall we make a recommendation on how to map surfaces with wood chips or gravel as "playground surface"? I always use landcover=woodchips etc., area=* + surface=* combinations are also very common... But maybe this is a bit out of scope and should be discussed separately. --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:23, 23 October 2022 (UTC)

That's perhaps for a different proposal. And perhaps that would be larger in scope than just playgrounds, but then we're probably back to landcover which didn't exactly excite people enough to vote ... --Ygramul (talk) 22:22, 25 October 2022 (UTC)

• Flat water basins seem to often be called mud tables. And admittedly, they certainly invite to throw sand in as well (especially when close to the ground). Would that be a useful additional tag for water equipment? If so, where does basin end and mud_table start? --Ygramul (talk) 22:22, 25 October 2022 (UTC)

I think I would map it as "water_basin", because at least in my area basins almost always become muddy over time ;) --Supaplex030 (talk) 19:51, 27 October 2022 (UTC)

• Sand play equipment is often integrated into tables that are called "sand board" or "sand table" by manufacturers. Not exactly a table to sit on (unlike table), but a platform that's more for playing than standing on (unlike platform), which may support other devices, such as a funnel or a sieve. --Ygramul (talk) 22:22, 25 October 2022 (UTC)

sand_table?

Yes, I see them so regularly that I have already thought of sand_table. I would add it as well. On the right there is a first picture, but I think there are better examples (e.g. somewhat larger, "board"-like ones). --Supaplex030 (talk) 19:51, 27 October 2022 (UTC)

• Seen once so far, might be worth documenting: A wall with a large window and counter that allows children to play shop. I think a play house on one playground here has something similar in one wall. Definitely not a normal window, but rather a counter where sand cakes may be "sold". playground=shop exists once. already. No idea whether it's intended for this, though. --Ygramul (talk) 22:22, 25 October 2022 (UTC)

In my opinion, it is not "unique" or common enough to be included in a "standardised list". I would maybe map it as a playhouse (considering covered=no or similar ;) --Supaplex030 (talk) 19:51, 27 October 2022 (UTC)

Further tagging ideas

• More/better documentation about how to map certain things as non-nodes. Nodes are probably always centered on the object. For way-like objects (balance beam, slide, zipway, etc.) ways are fairly self-evident. However, I've been mapping swings typically as ways that follow the bar on which the swings are mounted, which then is perpendicular to the swinging direction. Perhaps that's okay, but perhaps we can give more guidance for specific examples. A simple sentence like the common »how to map« instruction is probably enough. Ygramul (talk) 06:14, 18 August 2022 (UTC)
• Detailed mapping of structures can be somewhat complicated, although one could probably take a few pointers from mapping buildings (both indoor and outdoor). This could include both things like parts, roofs, levels, height/min_height, equipment inside the structure (like ladders leading upwards, or table and benches in the lowest floor, etc.). Ygramul (talk) 21:48, 18 August 2022 (UTC)

Structures may not be as regular as normal buildings and levels may not be evenly distributed. Adding things like platforms inside structures to also keep the height may work. However, would we want something like structure:part=* for those things and still tag them additionally as playground=*? Probably better to not complicate data usage for typical use cases. --Ygramul (talk) 05:44, 23 August 2022 (UTC)

I have assumed so far that the belonging of a device to a structure results geometrically if it is mapped within or on the line of a structure. But I think this 3D mapping topic needs its own thinking, preferably with a simple example (we need Simple 3D Playgrounds ;) --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:17, 24 August 2022 (UTC)

• We should probably suggest a lot more detail tags, even for established values. For lots of things height or width can make sense. Slides are sometimes already tagged with incline. Perhaps there are a bunch of interesting characteristics for certain equipment that makes sense to at least be able to tag. Many mappers don't invent tags if the Wiki doesn't suggest them and if we get a good sense of the variations for certain equipment here, that may simplify deciding what details would be warranted. Ygramul (talk) 21:48, 18 August 2022 (UTC)

height is often a good one for various things: Total height of a slide, height of a balancing rope (although would we want the highest or the lowest height for that? One playground here has variance of 50 cm for a balancing rope between highest and lowest point), height of platforms, height of structures, hanging height for monkey bars (probably most sensible to use the height at which the hands would grab), height of horizontal bars, height of a seesaw (may inform suitability for different ages), ... --Ygramul (talk) 05:44, 23 August 2022 (UTC)

I think I've always tagged a "mean" height so far, but can't remember any equipment where the height varies a lot. Vorteil: If you define the height as "mean height" and also use "incline" (and get the length from the geometry or a tag), you can calculate the maximum and minimum height. --Supaplex030 (talk) 08:17, 24 August 2022 (UTC)

Mean height sounds good for things like hanging bridges or balancing ropes, but terribly unintuitive for slides, for example. Also height commonly refers to the elevation of the highest point of a feature, so perhaps that's still the best interpretation. The combination of height (as maximum height) with incline would also allow to calculate the minimum height (although that one could be tagged as well, if desired, e.g. for slopes that don't start at ground level). --Ygramul (talk) 10:42, 24 August 2022 (UTC)

You're absolutely right - on a slide, of course, I also mean the highest point. Then let's define that as the "highest" point later. --Supaplex030 (talk) 11:07, 24 August 2022 (UTC)

Some other notes of the proposal authors