Build an In-tire Playground

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What's more, big truck or tractor castoffs are just as easy to secure-and "just as free"as are the smaller automobile wheel coverings. In fact, you can even get huge pneumatics (tires that often cost over $10,000 new) delivered to your playground! Simply phone your local quarry, road builder, or state highway department and convince the folks at these business offices to donate their casings to a worthy cause . . . the area's children.

Remind the firms' owners that they can take a tax write-off by giving their play objects to your community association or school . . . and probably save a dumping fee, besides. Chances are such business people will like your idea so much they'll thank you for asking! Then-if you pick a spot or dig a hole for each tire before the big delivery-the donors will likely unload the rejected rubber giants right where you want 'em!

SOME "TIRED AND TRUE" IDEAS

After you've garnered a collection of large and small tires, you're ready to let your-and the youngsters'-imagination run loose. To get you started, I'll show you some structures I've built with other playground people. Perhaps our ideas will motivate the "think tanks" in your group . . . then you can invent some really zany recreation ideas and pass them on to me!

Photo 1: Canadian Log Roller. These rubber balance "logs" are child's play . . . to make and to use! Just drill three equidistant holes through the sides of a bunch of "matching" tires (we've strung together as many as 10 of 'em!), and connect the casings with nuts and bolts. Be sure, though, to add extra wide washers on both sides of your hookups . . . to keep the tires from tearing and separating. (In fact, install large washers whenever you bolt "wheel bracelets" together, and always cut drain holes-in the lower portions of your casingsto allow rainwater to run out.)

Many small fry play with the log by having one person ride inside while two or more children try to roll-and stay on top of-the rubber cylinder. This enjoyable game has only one official rule: When the tot inside hollers "stop", the others must pause to let the well-spun youngster out.

Photo 2: Tire Tunnels. Just about every child loves to crawl through tunnels, so most playground builders plop a few concrete culverts somewhere on the lot. The huge pipe just doesn't make as good a tunnel as does a set of large-hole farm tractor tires, though: Precast culverts are a lot of trouble to move into place, andmore important-are much less safe than are their softer counterparts. (Which would you rather bump your head against . . . concrete or rubber?)

To make a tire tunnel, dig a big trench and line the ditch with some drainage material (such as gravel or sand). Roll your big rounds in place (drain holes down) and bolt the tires together, using two-inch-diameter (or larger) washers. Then backfill and tamp-some dirt in the bottom of your passage to provide a level "floor" and to keep the structure from rolling.

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