Injury is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among children in the United States. Because children spend much of their time playing, it is important that they have safe play environments where they can challenge themselves and develop physically, mentally, and socially. The SPARK Project will focus its intervention in Ross County, Ohio, an area with more than 930 farms. Prior to this project, relatively little has been done to promote the prevention of injuries to children who live and play on farms.~The specific aims of this project are as follows:~In collaboration with partners in Ross County, renovate and develop playgrounds in Chillicothe, Ohio.~In collaboration with partners in Ross County, promote safe play areas for children on farms.~The SPARK Project will employ a multi-faceted approach to injury prevention, centered on community partnership and collaboration. Utilizing methodology that was successfully developed and implemented as part of the Community Action for Playground Safety (CAPS) Program in Columbus, the SPARK Project will combine both active and passive injury prevention strategies to reduce playground and play-related farm injuries to children in Ross County.
Specific Aim 1 - In collaboration with partners in Ross County, renovate and develop playgrounds in Chillicothe.~Specific Aim 2 - In collaboration with partners in Ross County, promote safe play and play areas for children on farms.