Playgrounds from Recycled Tires- Andrea H.

I am certain everyone has seen the “tyre tunnel” somewhere in Jamaica jutting out of the ground of a basic school, but has anyone made one? First it is important to note the type of tire. Car tires are smaller and require a lot less digging, truck tires however are bigger, have steel inside that may jut out, but are a little more fun. During our time in the Longville Park Housing Scheme near Freetown, Clarendon; Adam Needleman and I have created two tunnels. One was a 4 truck tire tunnel for the beginning of a community playground, and the other was a 6 car tire tunnel at a basic school. The only tools necessary are a pick-ax and a shovel (a good scooping rock can substitute for the shovel). Our first truck tire tunnel took a lot of work, primarily because we had to pull the water-filled monsters from out of macka and then push them about a quarter mile uphill. Although, once at the designated location, we alternated using the pick-ax and digging until all of the tires were in the ground. At this point we then filled the tires with the rocks we dug up and the rest of the way with dirt. They were quite a hit with the kids, and have stayed in the ground well. Not only have these tires served as a kids tunnel, but they also provide seating for the teens to chat with one another or on the phone.

The basic school tunnel was a bit easier. For this tunnel all of the tires were already at the location, along with another pick-ax. Therefore we were quickly able to dig the six smaller holes and fill the tires with any rocks we dug up. After the rocks were used we retrieved 1 wheel barrow of gravel, 2 of unsifted sand, and one bag of cement. The cement was mixed and poured into the rest of the tire and dug hole. Then the cement was smoothed out. We will not know the result of this tunnel until after school begins but the cement will guarantee their durability.
As for further building and additional playground equipment we found an excellent link for inexpensive equipment for physically challenged children that has provided us with some excellent ideas(http://www.hesperian.info/assets/DVC/DVC_Ch46.pdf). Also a Google image search resulted in quite a few hits as well; including a dragon tunnel idea, tire pyramid, tire swings, and a cube made of tires for climbing.
Tire tunnels provide an inexpensive foundation for a playground and can also actively engage the ideas of reducing and reusing. Kids can help with ideas for equipment and can also be a part of the construction, especially pulling out the loose dirt. Once you build one tunnel the search for bigger and better tires along roadsides will not cease. However another great way to access tires is to ask a local
“tyre shop” if they have any tires that they no longer need. I was able to get 50 tires of different sizes for free. The only problem now is figuring out how to get them to the playground location.

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