SMARTE™ Playground Surface System was developed through a research project funded by the Illinois Department of Energy Commerce and Community Affairs (DECCA) in 2002. Elaine Sherman was the lead project investigator. The goal of the research was to create a playground safety surfacing utilizing recycled passenger tires that were safe, accessible, easy to install, and easy to maintain.

Elaine became involved in the playground industry when the school her children attended needed an accessible playground to accommodate the 10% of the 500 students with special needs. Holmes Elementary School in Oak Park, Illinois is the oldest school in the United States to mainstream children with disabilities. Elaine experienced the challenges of caring for a child with special medical needs first-hand and was determined to see all the children at Holmes School have a place to play. She left her teaching career to care for and raise her 3 children. While PTO president at Holmes School, she spearheaded fundraising and designing the Playground for All Children.

Following the success of the playground, Elaine became a member of the newly formed ASTM Public Playground committee. To date she serves on numerous ASTM playground-related committees. As a result of her playground advocacy, she was invited to oversee the DECCA research project.

Today, over 250,000 SF of SMARTE™ Safety Surfacing is installed across the world.