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Engineered Wood Fiber Introduction Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is a playground surfacing used on, according to some sources, nearly 75% of all playgrounds in the U.S. because of its high impact absorbing qualities yet firm, slip resistant surface that will meet accessibility guidelines. The product is recognized as an acceptable playground surfacing by the National Recreation and Park Association's National Playground Safety Institute, founded in 1989 as a program to establish playground safety standards of the ASTM International and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. History Around 2010, Conejo Recreation and Park District staff internally discussed playground surfacing options for the District's playgrounds. At the time of discussion, three playgrounds — Rancho Conejo Playfield (installed 1998), Triunfo Community Park (2002) and Conejo Community Park (5-12 only; 2008) — had an EWF surface; the balance of the playgrounds in the District were a combination of sand and rubber surfacing. Parks and Recreation staff determined that for future playgrounds, both new and renovated, the surfacing would be EWF instead of a combination of sand and rubber surfacing for the following reasons: Increased safety • Less EWF depth is required as compared to sand to achieve the same fall safety at same critical height (as per the US Consumer Product Safety Commission) • Hardening of rubber surfacing over time due to age, sunlight, and fine sand particles in air pockets • Increased slipping hazard of sand on rubber surfacing as well as sand on adjacent hardscapes such as sidewalks • Glass and sharp objects more easily buried and undetected in sand • Sand compacts more easily • Sand outside of playground footprint killing grass and creating 'lip' and thus trip hazard Decreased maintenance • Sand clogging drains and drinking fountains • Sand outside of playground footprint killing grass • EWF easier to push and pull to smooth out Increased accessibility • EWF is compliant with ADA thus making the entire playground area EWF surface accessible for people with wheelchairs Local Use 11 Page iNumbew of Number of Playgn unds Apenay plat! with E`0`- Additional Informallon City of Moorpark 19 4 Plan to replace most sand with EWF City of Westlake Village 8 5 Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District 27 5 Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District 51 38 11 Page