Security Best Practices for Recreational Spaces in Schools

Outdoor spaces are some of the busiest areas on a school campus. Playgrounds, fields, and courtyards support learning, social interaction, and physical activity — but they also come with unique security challenges.

These areas are often open and easy to access from many directions, which can increase risks like unauthorized entry, students wandering off, vandalism, and limited visibility for staff. Schools must balance safety while still creating a welcoming and enjoyable outdoor environment for students.

Recently, I have been writing blog posts about security best practices for all areas in schools, including hallways and classrooms. This blog highlights recommendations schools can take to improve security in outdoor recreational areas.

Understanding the Security Landscape of Outdoor Areas

Outdoor recreation areas cover large spaces, so supervision relies on clear visibility, good design, and attentive staff. Risks can include injuries, bullying, and unauthorized adults near campus.

As a former SRO, one of my responsibilities was to support elementary schools during recess. On one occasion, an administrator alerted me to suspicious behavior from someone standing just outside the playground fence. While the individual never entered school grounds, the incident led the school to review its open-access perimeter and tighten visitor procedures.

I responded quickly, and my presence was enough to discourage the individual from staying. Still, the incident showed how even seemingly harmless behavior can reveal gaps in supervising open areas.

General Best Practices for All Recreational Spaces

Design for Visibility

Good visibility is essential to keeping outdoor school spaces safe. Clear sightlines help staff monitor activity and respond quickly to concerns. Consider these strategies to improve visibility:

• Reduce blind spots – Identify areas where buildings, sheds, or equipment block views and adjust layouts or remove obstacles when possible.
• Manage vegetation – Trim or remove dense shrubs, trees, and landscaping that limit visibility. Regular maintenance is key.
• Use open fencing – Choose options like chain-link or slatted panels that maintain a visual connection across the area.

These simple, low-cost improvements can significantly enhance supervision and create a safer environment for students and staff.

Access Control

While securing outdoor spaces completely can be challenging, strong access control measures greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized entry. To improve safety, consider the following strategies:

• Use lockable gates during instructional hours – Install durable, easy-to-operate gates that lock at key access points to control movement during non-recreational times.
• Clearly mark entrances and exits – Provide visible, informative signage so visitors and students know exactly where to enter and exit, reducing confusion and improving oversight.
• Separate public sidewalks from student areas – Use fencing or strategic landscaping to create a clear boundary between public spaces and student zones. These barriers restrict access and deter unauthorized individuals.

Even modest access control improvements can significantly enhance safety in open-air school environments.

Consistent Supervision Protocols

Supervising outdoor spaces can be challenging because there are fewer physical boundaries and more open access than indoors. Consistent supervision practices are essential to keep students safe.

• Maintain appropriate staff-to-student ratios – Aim for one staff member per 10–15 students, depending on age and needs, to support active monitoring and quick response to issues.
• Equip staff with radios – Ensure all supervising personnel have two-way radios or cell phones for fast communication during emergencies or when assistance is needed.
• Provide regular supervision training – Offer ongoing training on outdoor supervision techniques, emergency procedures, and ways to keep students engaged to reinforce best practices.

Focusing on these key areas strengthens outdoor supervision and supports a safer environment for everyone.

Special Considerations for Playgrounds

Playgrounds are often the busiest outdoor areas during the school day—and the most injury-prone.

• Visibility & Layout—Climbing structures, slides, and play walls can obstruct lines of sight. Schools should arrange playground equipment to preserve as much visibility as possible.
• Equipment Safety & Maintenance—Regular inspections help prevent injuries and make tampering more noticeable. Walk-throughs around the school, including playgrounds, can help prevent injury if broken glass or vandalism is observed and reported.
• Supervision Practices—Staff should be positioned strategically, spread throughout the playground rather than concentrated in one area. This allows for more natural surveillance, or the maximization of visibility, and creates the perception that trespassers or potential intruders will be seen.
• Emergency preparedness—Having quick access to first aid kits, radios, and student rosters helps respond effectively to injuries or urgent concerns.

Special Considerations for Athletic Fields

Athletic fields are unique because they support both school activities and community events. They promote teamwork and physical fitness during the school day, and often host games, tournaments, and other gatherings after hours.

As an SRO, coordinating additional officers for major events—especially high-energy football games—was essential. During rivalry or homecoming nights, officers may spend hours monitoring fence lines, patrolling the perimeter, and watching for suspicious or unsafe behavior.

Key safety considerations include:

• Perimeter security – Use fencing, access control, and locked field houses to deter unauthorized use or vandalism and protect equipment, concessions, and press box items.
• Lighting and visibility – Provide uniform lighting across walkways, bleachers, and field perimeters to reduce shadows, support camera coverage, and discourage illicit behavior.
• Event security – Ensure large events have controlled entry points, clear emergency exit routes, and strong coordination between administrators and SROs or security teams.

Special Considerations for Courtyards and Outdoor Commons

Courtyards are social hubs, but without thoughtful design, they can become areas where bullying or concealment occurs. Strong visibility and access control help keep them safe and welcoming.

• Design and layout – Avoid tall structures or dense landscaping that block views. Use open, well-lit walkways and natural surveillance from windows, doors, and staff presence.
• Controlled access – Courtyards should not serve as entry points for visitors or deliveries. Keep them fully separated from exterior access to maintain secure boundaries.
• Camera coverage – During busy times, such as class changes, cameras help supplement staff supervision. Recording cameras in courtyards can deter misconduct and support investigations when concerns arise.
• Weather and surface safety – Because these spaces often connect directly to hallways, use slip-resistant materials and ensure prompt snow and ice removal to reduce hazards.

Final Thoughts

Outdoor spaces change—new equipment, shifting student populations, and renovated landscapes can constantly influence the need for improved or adjusted security measures.

School staff should collaborate to conduct yearly outdoor security assessments, review incident data for emerging trends, modify supervision zones or staff placement as necessary, and reexamine access points as neighborhoods develop or change.

Having thorough policies and procedures in place can help guide changes in staff and administration over the years. New faces in the schools may be unfamiliar with the evolving needs of outdoor and recreational security.

With thoughtful design, consistent supervision, and proactive security planning, schools can protect students while preserving the freedom and joy these areas provide. By applying best practices, school communities can keep playgrounds, athletic fields, and courtyards safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.