What is the purpose of playground fall protection surfaces?

The purpose of playground fall protection surfaces is primarily to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury when children fall during play. These surfaces are designed to cushion falls and mitigate the force of impact, which is crucial for ensuring children's safety in outdoor play environments. By using materials like rubber mulch, wood chips, or poured-in-place rubber, these surfaces create a safer area for play, allowing children to engage in physical activities with a lower risk of severe injuries such as fractures or concussions.

While creating a visually appealing environment, providing play area markings, and enhancing drainage are important aspects of playground design, they do not address the fundamental safety concerns that fall protection surfaces aim to resolve. The primary focus of these surfaces is on injury prevention, making option B the most relevant and critical in the context of playground safety.