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P41f.,,,,''-` ^ y' y z „ ; r+., N ht ,''n,a 4 i, �,F^ t —rF• , '3 • M 8 INTRODUCTION The sub-title of this book on playgrounds is, The Nuts & Bolts of Play. I try to keep the philosophy to a minimum. Eva Noren-Bjorn in her volume is far more elo- quent than I on the subject. I do know about nuts and bolts and want to share that knowledge with you. But despite being surrounded by nuts and bolts, hammers and drills, rope and chain, one can't help developing an attitude on the subject of play and I mean to a share a little of my attitude with you along with the nuts and bolts. ;.' I was appointed an Honorary Commissioner to the US Commission for the Inter- national Year of the Child-1979. I must admit I was very excited when my wife Joanna and I traveled to the White House to meet President and Mrs. Carter and the newly appointed Chair-person of our Commission, Jane Young. About a year later, I made the following speech to the Commission and I share that with you now as my feelings are still the same, although I might be more frustrated now than before the Commission started it's work to recognize the child.The final report to the President is a nicely printed book of 220 pages describing all the work we did and all the work that should be done to properly recognize the child. While the "Child's Right to Play and have Recreation," is 4th on the ten Rights promulgated by the United Nations, the subject of play was covered in two paragraphs of the 220 page report to the President. We have a very long way to go. I hope this book will make the road a little easier. Paul Hogan's Address to the National Commission, IYC, 25 May 1979 , Since the beginning of May I've spent 10 days in Sweden and a week in an un- named western state. In Sweden I visited playgrounds, schools, hospitals and playground equipment manufacturers. My sponsor was the Swedish Export Council and my host in Sweden was the director of the Swedish Play Council. To my knowledge, Sweden is the only nation in the world which has a National Council on Play—not a commission on youth and the family or a bureau on children and nutrition—just an organization whose sole function is to promote play and the unique value it serves in the wholesome development of the child. Despite the fact that we speak of the fourth right of the child, "The right of the child to full oppor- tunity for play and recreation" in the same breath as the other rights, the reality is that our children have little access to work on their own development and creativity. While the Play and Inventiveness celebration on the Mall was certainly an important step in the right direction, we must go much further than spasmodic parties and unusual events. On December 1st, one month before the end of the Year of the Child, Sweden will ban the sale and importation and manufacturing of all war toys. Other enlightened