Data gathered by a national survey of preschool playground equipment provided comprehensive information on all aspects of the play environment for young children. This collection presents the perspectives of writers on the function of playgrounds and the nature of children's play. In adition to the introduction by Sue C. Wortham and Joe L. Frost, the following articles make up the volume: (1) "National Survey of Preschool Centers Playground Equipment" (Louis Bowers); (2) "Results of the Survey" (Louis Bowers); (3) "Young Children and Playground Safety" (Joe L. Frost); (4) "Play Environments for Young Children: Design Perspectives" (Steen B. Esbensen); (5) "Infant-Toddler Playgrounds" (Sue C. Wortham); (6) "Advances in Playground Equipment for Young Children" (Marshal R. Wortham); (7) "Maintaining Play Environments: Training, Checklists, and Documentation" (Donna Thompson, Lawrence D. Bruya, Michael E. Crawford); (8) "Promoting Perceptual-Motor Development in Young Children's Play" (Tom Jambor); (9) "The Role of Adults in Children's Play" (Thomas D. Yawkey); (10) "Outdoor Play--What Happens Here?" (Mary S. Rivkin); and (11) "Magical Playscapes" (James Talbot, Joe L. Frost). (JD)