Playground Maintenance Technician Training – College Park, MD

Playground Maintenance Technician Training

REGISTRATION CLOSES Monday, March 20, 2017

Host: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Location: College Park Airport, 1909 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD  20740

Dates: March 28 & 29, 2017

Instructor: Steve Plumb, CPSI

Times: Tuesday 7:30am-3:00pm; Wednesday 8:00am-3:00pm

Local Contact: Darryl Wyles, Darryl.Wyles@pgparks.com , 301-446-6885

Questions about the PMT training: Sally Pelto-Wheeler, sjpelto@indiana.edu , 812-856-1446

The two-day Playground Maintenance Technician (PMT) training focuses on practical playground maintenance practices, inspection principles and best practices in making repairs. Course modules explore the maintenance challenges associated with the common materials found in playgrounds, including concrete, metal, wood, plastics, fasteners and various surfacing materials. Through videos and case studies, participants learn about the types of playground inspections, how to repair damaged equipment and associated legal considerations. A virtual playground offers participants the opportunity to apply newly learned skills.

Course Format

Two day, in-person

Schedule

Day 1
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Welcome and introductions
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Liability
9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Playground maintenance process
9:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Hazard prevention
9:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Safety surfacing on the playground
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Lunch
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Playground materials – concrete
12:05 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Playground materials – wood
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Playground materials – plastic/synthetic
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Break
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Playground materials – metals
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Playground materials – fasteners/connectors
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Wrap up and evaluation, day 1
Day 2
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Inspection process, frequency and procedures
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Record keeping and documentation
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Removing equipment from service
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Virtual playground – swings
12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Virtual playground – track ride
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Virtual playground – sand-digging equipment
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Virtual playground – spring rocking equipment
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Virtual playground – composite
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Wrap up and evaluation

Recommended Background

There are no prerequisites for this course. Anyone who performs hands-on playground safety inspections and maintenance, along with those who supervise playground maintenance staff should attend the Playground Maintenance Technician training. Participants with experience ranging from just a few weeks up to 30 years, find the two-day course practical and informative.

Directions to College Park Airport
From points north and west (Baltimore, Columbia, Rockville)
From Montgomery County, follow the Capital Beltway (I-495) east or from Howard County, take I-95 south to the Capital Beltway (I-495/95). Continue south to exit 23, Kenilworth Avenue (MD 201). Follow Kenilworth Avenue for approximately 2.3 miles, and turn right at the second light, Campus Drive. Continue to the first traffic light and make a right on Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, which ends at the airport grounds.

From BWI and points north, via the BW Parkway
Take the BW Parkway south to Riverdale Road (MD 410). Turn right at the light off the ramp. Continue to Kenilworth Avenue (MD 201). Make a right and follow Kenilworth Avenue for approximately 2 miles, and turn left at the light for Campus Drive. Continue to the first traffic light and make a right on Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, which ends at the airport grounds.

From Annapolis, New Carrollton and points south and east
From the Beltway, follow US 50 east towards Washington, take exit 5, Veterans Parkway (MD 410). Make a left at the “T” intersection, and MD 410 becomes Riverdale Road. Cross under the BW Parkway, and make a right at Kenilworth Avenue, MD 201. Follow Kenilworth Avenue for approximately 2 miles, and turn left at the light for Campus Drive. Continue to the first traffic light and make a right on Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, which ends at the airport grounds.

From Downtown Washington, D.C.
Take Metro! We’re three blocks and an easy walk from the College Park Metro Station. It takes approximately 20-25 minutes from most downtown stations to College Park. Exit the station towards River Road (the side nearest the parking garage). Walk through the bus area, and cross through the surface parking lot on the other side of Campus Drive. Follow Cpl. Frank Scott Drive for 200 yards to the airport.

If you drive, use Rhode Island Avenue north out of downtown. It becomes Baltimore Avenue (US 1) through College Park. Make a right on Campus Drive (across from the University of Maryland entrance), and proceed under the railroad bridge to the second light. Make a left on Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, which ends at the airport grounds.

Hotels in the Area

College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
3501 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783
(301) 985-7300

Best Western Plus College Park Hotel
8419 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
(301) 220-0505

Courtyard by Marriott Greenbelt
6301 Golden Triangle Dr, Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 441-3311

Quality Inn & Suites
7200 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
(301) 276-1000