September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! In truth, it’s common knowledge that America’s children are suffering from obesity at greater rates than ever before. Here at BYO Recreation, we deal with a wide variety of communities, from churches and schools to planned communities and public parks. Each of these communities approach us because they share a deep concern for the health and happiness of their children.
Childhood Obesity Avoidance Through Play
Playgrounds are a great way to combat childhood obesity in any community.
Installing a playground is a great first step to improving the overall health of your community members and fighting childhood obesity. However, there is even more that you can do. The best part is, you don’t need much more than the space you have and participants. Planning regular family-friendly events that center around a unique theme is a simple and great way to make even more use of your playground.
Timing is Everything
Plan your event for times of day when families are together and not likely to be attending other events. For instance, avoid planning a park day at your HOA playground that competes with church services. Your childhood obesity avoidance events should work in tandem with other events.
We recommend starting at 6pm on a weeknight and include a potluck cookout to cover dinner. You’re more likely to catch families who are on their way home. Or plan an early afternoon sack race on a Sunday to encourage the church crowd to swing by after services.
Mix It Up
Do not rely on one type of activity because people will quickly become bored. Instead, try switching between games of skill, like corn hole or horse that will attract older children and teens. Incorporate silly games like ‘Follow the Leader’ or ‘Simon Says’ that everyone can participate in but are easy for young children to succeed at.
Childhood Obesity Awareness Plans That Succeed
Make sure you advertise your event as much as possible, pass out flyers and hang up posters at local family hot-spots. Look for corporate sponsors to donate prizes and try to round up volunteers to keep things fair. Even silly games need a timekeeper and should you manage to get a prize donated, you’ll need a few extra referees to keep an eye on your Simon says participants. Providing fun games and playgrounds is an easy and effective way to combat childhood obesity in your community!
Planning a park project is often a journey of several years rather than a onetime endeavor. As your space matures and you get feedback from guests. You’re sure to discover things that are missing or that you wish you thought of during the initial design phase.
Park Project Details to Keep in Mind
Sure your playground is great but how do you keep families from driving up to the picnic space? You have great benches and even water fountains but you are shocked by how quickly the trash cans fill up. We have our list of 4 park project details our customers say they wouldn’t overlook the next time around.
Playground Borders
If you are choosing a loose fill surfacing, spend the extra money and install playground borders. Technically, if your playground is enclosed by walkways, parking lots, fencing playground borders aren’t required. However, what you save in upfront costs, you just may lose in lost surfacing and extra work. Borders are designed to stick up above the ground and keeping your surfacing in place. While many customers prefer a flush look, other methods of retaining loose fill surfacing do not work as well.
Bollards
Having trouble controlling traffic at your park? If you don’t want to fence in your entire facility, you do have another option for your park project. Bollards are designed to provide an attractive way to keep street traffic out of pedestrian spaces. Close off wide walkways and keep cars out of ungated areas while still allowing foot traffic to pass easily. Bollards are exceptionally helpful for wide jogging trails that may be mistaken for a road and are more attractive than a sign.
Bike Racks
If your space can be accessed on foot you should probably plan to include a few bike racks, at least one by every obvious entrance. Without a proper place to store them, your guest may tie their bikes to tables, benches or trees. This can cause damage and prevent other guests from fully enjoying the park.
Recycling Containers
There is a certain irony when a green space isn’t exactly green. Adding recycling containers not only sends a strong message that you support local recycling efforts but also helps prevent trash receptacles from becoming overfilled too quickly. A green park project projects a sense of social responsibility to your community.
Park Project Inspiration
One way to prepare your own park project is to visit other parks in your area and take a good look around. Do you find that there is enough waste disposal? Do you wish there were more seating options? Are you able to find a comfortable place to relax? What works and what doesn’t? Create a list of everything you like and bring it to the design meeting with you. What is on your park project’s must have list?
Incorporating all the primary elements of play is vital for maximizing the value of your play space. Playgrounds can look like a complicated mix equipment but when examined more closely you might notice something. Each piece of equipment is a variation of a few basic components broken apart, reimagined, and put back together in an infinite and diverse array of equipment. Today we are breaking down the elements of play. Hopefully, you can use this information to build a more challenging and satisfying playground.
Primary Elements of Play
Climbers
The first of the elements of play are climbers.
Children climb constantly almost from the moment they begin to stand. That said, it’s no surprise that playgrounds are filled with equipment to climb. Climbers, the first of the elements of play, come in all shapes and sizes. They can be as simple as an inclined ramp or as elaborate as a spidery arrangement of cables.
Climbing provides children with more than just a means of moving from point A to point B. When children first begin to climb they are learning to perfect and coordinate the movements of their hands and feet. As children master basic climbing, they progress to more advanced obstacles. Eventually, they begin climbing higher, tackling more difficult equipment, and climbing across spaces with just their hands. Finally, they start to desire more challenging climbers that incorporate other elements of play.
Balance Beams
Balance beams come in several different shapes, materials, and sizes.
From simple balance beams to more advanced obstacles, balance is nearly part of almost every piece of playground equipment. Balancing elements of play provide children with a sense of accomplishment upon completion and children become inventive with balance equipment. They find their own ways to make it more challenging by going faster, returning without touching the ground, or balancing on one leg. Today’s playgrounds have climbing components suspended on springs and balance boards that move and swivel. Each type of motion requires a different skill set, adding variety and difficulty to any playground.
Motion Play
Motion play is the final component of the elements of play, and include spinners, spring riders, and more.
Components the involve movement are always the most popular equipment on any playground. Children crave motion that is both soothing and thrilling. Swings, spring riders, spinners, and other motion equipment are all cousins, providing a fun way to exercise. This equipment also teaches children the basics of physics as they move, pump, and twist to propel themselves through space.
How to Include More Elements of Play in Your Playground
When you are designing a playground be sure to look for ways to incorporate each of these elements into your playground to ensure a successful design. The more of these elements that a component requires during use the more challenging it will be. If you are building for little children, choose low, stable equipment, short slides and gentle spring riders. For older children, choose higher structures, more challenging climbers and that swing or flex and require greater balance. Providing a wide range of difficulty levels will broaden the appeal of your playground and ensure that each visitor remains entertained. A well-rounded playground should begin and end with the elements of play.
There’s no doubt that playground equipment has changed a lot since many of us were children. Safety focus, environmental concerns, and rapid advances in technology have helped create playgrounds that are better than ever. Playgrounds also have extraordinary longevity, with equipment frequently outlasting its safety rating.
Our designers and playground installation crews are constantly working to incorporate our customers’ existing equipment into new playground installations. After all, the most budget-friendly option is to always reuse what you can. We even transport donated playgrounds to smaller venues that can still use them. Unfortunately, sometimes well-loved equipment just isn’t up to today’s standards.
That’s one of the many reasons that each member of our installation team is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. They frequently identify and remove equipment that’s still in good shape but no longer considered safe. This is one of their lists of playground equipment that just has to go.
Banned Playground Equipment List:
WoodPlayground Equipment
In 2003, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advised manufacturers to discontinue the use of wood equipment treated with Chromated copper arsenate (CCA). This compound has been is use for decades to prevent insect and fungi infestation on playground equipment. Unfortunately, CCA contains arsenic, which is toxic to humans and leaches into the ground.
There is some evidence to suggest that yearly resealing may reduce arsenic migration from the equipment. However, the CPSC recommends removing and properly disposing of this equipment. Odds are if your equipment isn’t made of redwood or cedar and was manufactured before 2003, it contains CCA.
Animal Swings
This type of playground equipment has been banned since 1995.
Animal swings are large swings with shapes like lions, tigers, and bears (oh my). These are typically plastic molds and have a fun aesthetic. Unfortunately, since 1995, the CPSC recommends removing all animal swings from playgrounds. They are heavier than standard swings and cause serious injury when a child is struck by an occupied animal. Nevertheless, their durability and appeal means that we still occasionally see these lingering on public playgrounds.
Trapeze Bars
Trapeze bars are fairly common on private playgrounds. They typically consist of a single bar positioned between two hanging chains. Allowing children to swing back and forth, dangle upside down, and spin, trapeze bars are a liability for a public playground. Children can’t see what they’re doing or where they’re going when using this type of playground equipment. Due to their mobile nature, trapeze bars are extremely easy to fall off of (typically head first). Ground or playground-fixed turning bars are a safe and fun substitute.
Gym Rings
Similar to trapeze bars but less common, we don’t recommend this simple piece of playground equipment. Gym rings are actually serious athletic equipment for use under the guidance and supervision of a professional coach. In addition to being easy to fall from or pulled from during rough play, most children lack the upper body strength to properly use gym rings with other playground equipment. Additionally, the long chains are an entanglement hazard.
Tire Swings with Real Tires
Banned tire swings.
Our playground equipment experts advise against using real tire swings. Over all, manufacturers are turning away from rubber tire swings altogether. Aside from being dirty (rubber tires attract and hold onto dirt), water that gathers inside the tire can create a breeding ground for insects, mold, and mildew. To avoid this, users frequently slice drainage holes into the bottom. As a result, this compromises the strength of the swing over time. Additionally, rubber swings are heavier than their plastic counterparts. The weight of a few children added on can injure a child crossing into a swing’s path.
Why Ban Playground Equipment?
Regulations on playground equipment change for a variety of reasons. Earlier equipment was installed based on inspired designs that were not safety tested. On the rare occasion that equipment poses a serious threat to safety, a standard recall would be issued. Today’s equipment is rigorously tested and monitored by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They perform ongoing research to continually improve safety guidelines and regulations of playground equipment.
Choosing the right playground size that fits your space and can accommodate everyone can be tricky. Buying an overly large playground structure is a surefire way to burn through your budget. Furthermore, it doesn’t always guarantee that children will get more enjoyment out of your playground. We have compiled our design teams’ top tips for making sure you install a playground that is sized just right.
Why is Playground Size so Important?
Sometimes bigger really is better. High enrollment schools, military bases and communities frequently need a large playground. This is especially true of areas that draw crowds to the area with parades, fairs and other large events. Installing the wrong playground size can be dangerous, as children will struggle to utilize the equipment without moving into the path of other children.
Overly large playground size can seem empty even during the busiest times fail to engage children in interactive play and can feel isolated. Playgrounds should provide opportunities for children to play together as well as independently to be considered truly successful. An unnecessarily large or poorly laid out playground can also make it more difficult to supervise children.
A well designed space will be able to accommodate everyone. Additionally, the right playground size encourages cooperative play by placing children in close proximity and utilizing collaborative components. This will give everyone plenty of room to stretch their legs while encouraging children to play side by side. During the busiest times, your playground shouldn’t feel empty nor should it feel crowded.
Understand Playground Size Basics
Playground size chart for common age groups.
To determine the right capacity for your playground size you should know how many children you intend to serve. Schools and churches have an advantage since they often know how many children will use their playground at one time. Communities and HOAs should consider how many residences are within walking and biking distance as well as how many other playgrounds are in the area. If your community lacks park facilities, plan on building your playground to accommodate more children. If there are several other parks nearby, assume that only the families living closest will frequent your park.
As a rule of thumb, the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education recommends at least 75 square feet of total outdoor play area for each child over 2 years of age using a playground at one time. For children under two the recommendation is at least 50 square feet. For children under 18 months, the minimum drops down to 33 square feet. This is just one of the many reasons that playground size should be separated by age if at all possible.
Make Smart Design Choices
A well planned playground size will rely on providing children with a great diversity of activities. You can accomplish this goal in any space and with any budget. Large playgrounds may require several similar activities. You can incorporate multiple slides and climbing apparatuses, and the ratio of equipment to children will remain balanced – even filled to capacity. When planning a larger structure with multiple features in the same category you can increase the diversity of equipment by selecting equipment that focuses on different muscle groups. This ensures that the children get a good workout and that your structure doesn’t feel repetitive.
With these considerations in mind, you can focus more on the quality of your playground. Don’t assume that the children in your community need a huge playground to have a great time. Do you currently have a small community but know you will be experiencing growth over a few years? You can choose to have a larger playground size design and build it out in stages as you grow!
Child development is the cornerstone for infants and toddlers who are in the middle of the most rapid period of growth. This is the most rapid change they will ever experience and they do the majority of their learning through play. When presented with a challenge, children in this age group will spend days repeating the same task until they have mastered it completely. Understanding how simple behaviors are actually huge milestones is a great way to get ready for playground planning.
Primary Child Development Milestones
Stage 1: Pulling Up
This pull-up bar is perfect for child development.
The transition from baby to toddler happens over a few short months and playgrounds for this age group must be planned accordingly. Toddler structures provide plenty of hand-grasps to encourage children to pull up onto the equipment and support themselves as they develop the coordination and strength required to stand alone.
Here, a toddler is showing the child development stage of crawling.
Even though walking is a huge milestone, crawling improves hand eye coordination and even toddlers who can walk should be encouraged to crawl during play. We love to use low arches and tunnels because they encourage children to crawl and play independently.
As soon as children are mobile they begin to climb. Even small heights provide children with a new view of the world and a sense of accomplishment. Whether climbing steps or small inclines, children will repeat this feat for hours until they have mastered it.
Exposing children this age to a wide range of new experiences is vital to their growth. Everything they touch and everywhere they go teaches them new information about the world around them. The primary goal of any equipment should be to provide a safe outlet for children to explore the world around them while practicing their new skills.
Fall is perhaps the best season for using playground equipment, when picnic areas are not overheated by grills and children can play for hours without overexerting. However, as the weather cools and the days become shorter it’s tempting to spend more time indoors. On the other hand, less intense heat means that it is possible to spend more time outside with less risk from sun exposure.
Fall is a great time for using playground equipment…as long as you do these few things:
It is simple to make playground equipment or park space more inviting during the fall months. General maintenance will be more intense as the leaves fall and clean up will become a more regular occurrence. While keeping your site free of debris certainly improves the aesthetic appeal of your site, keeping your space clean can also prevent injuries. Leaves can hide obstructions in the ground, like divots, rubbish or branches, and cause people to trip. Leaves also trap moisture and as they decompose, become slick causing people to slip and fall.
You will also want to monitor your playground equipment site to be sure that no areas are retaining water. Small puddles, a natural result of weathering and traffic, can form over time. As the weather becomes cooler, these damp patches can become frozen over and become slick. Filling in any depressions and generally evening out your surface will help keep your playground or park space safe and enjoyable for years to come. Remember it’s much easier to keep up with these tasks than it is to play catch up.
Most importantly be sure to take time to enjoy the space yourself. Whether at a school, park or church, outdoor spaces should be enjoyed by all members of the community. Spending time in the space yourself will help you identify areas of need and stay on top of general playground equipment maintenance.
A playground timeline includes everything from planning and installing. To better understand how much time the entire process takes we have review our outline of the basic phases of playground planning and installation. We discuss how long each phase typically takes, as well as the various factors that may influence your project timeline.
Playground Timeline Phases
Phase 1 – Design
The entire process begins with a detailed conversation. Your playground specialist ask you for details on your playground location, how many children will use it, and what you have budgeted. Also, know what types of activities are important to you. Suggest potential components for structure based on the ages and developmental abilities of the children who will use your facility. They will also ask you to provide measurements of your space as well as photographs.
All of this information is relayed to a playground designer who creates renderings depicting your proposed playground. Your playground specialist will review the design with you and relay any changes you require back to your designer. During this phase you will also review color options and customized signage. Once your plans are perfect, your finalized playground design is sent to you for review and authorization.
There is about a week of related planning that’s needed before placing your order. Your project manager will work with you to map out utilities, confirm color selections and iron out a firm timeline. Typically this entire process takes about 7 to 10 days.
Your city or state may require special permitting before your playground can be installed. Generally, your project manager requests that permits placing the order. They will help guide you through the process. Obtaining permits can add about 4 weeks to your project timeline.
2 – Delivery
It takes approximately 6 weeks manufacture and deliver a custom structure to your site. Customers in a time crunch can work with their playground specialist to choose an in stock, pre-designed playground. Or design a playground comprised of stock parts to reduce the delivery time if necessary.
Any reserved orders are typically held for up to 60 days. Anything longer than that and your freight costs may change or you may be charged a warehouse fee. Many locations choose to simply have the equipment delivered and stored at their facility until they are ready for installation.
Phase 3 – Installation
Your project manager establishes the installation timeline before placing your order. You should have a good idea of how long your individual playground will take to install. Most playgrounds can be substantially complete within one week of groundbreaking. Substantial completion means that your playground will be ready for use. However, it may require small cosmetic repairs before being considered finished.
As with any construction project, playground installations are subject to weather and occasionally equipment related delays. If you plan to host a grand opening or need to have the playground available by a certain date, you may want to give yourself a few extra days past the estimated completion date.
Phase 4 – Playground Timeline Future Factors
Weather can certainly impact your installation. During the summer months there is a rush for equipment manufacturing and installation We recommend ordering equipment for summer installations no later than April to assure that your project can be completed on time. During the winter installers aren’t as busy and you may find some really good deals on equipment. However, if you live in a colder climate, your equipment will need to be anchored below the freeze/thaw line.
Equipment installation during the winter months is installed deeper than normal to prevent the footings from loosening as the water evaporates from the ground. This can add a little extra time to bigger installations and may slightly increase the price.
Once your playground installation is complete, you’ll meet a staff member at the site for a final look. Together you will go over the playground and review any concerns that you may have. Noticeable damage of equipment or any installation issues are corrected at that time if possible. On the off chance something needs to be replaced, your issue will be documented and you will be contacted by your project manager to schedule the fix. This typically occurs within one week. In total, most playgrounds are complete in just 8 weeks.
Contact BYO Playground 800-853-5316 for more information about your playground timeline!
Shade structures are often an overlooked commodity in public spaces. As the summer sun beats down, temperatures are soaring throughout the US. At the BYO office in St. Augustine Florida, it is in the high 90s today and in parts of the country temperatures are well into the low 100s. During heat like this, most people avoid spending any significant amount outside if they can. With summer temperatures frequently above 90°F, it can be difficult to enjoy outdoor activities without overheating or burning. Adding reliable shade to public spaces greatly increase the amount of time people can comfortably spend outdoors. We have all the facts you need to determine if a shade structure is right for you.
Commercial Shade Structures Q&A
How effective your shade structures?
Shades block up to 97% of UV rays and lower the temperature of shaded areas up to 30°F.
I already have a playground, can I still install a shade?
Absolutely! Shades can be installed for most structures over almost any surface. Thanks to their versatile designs, shades can frequently be installed in small spaces.
Aren’t shade structures just large umbrellas?
Shade structures work the same way umbrellas, tents and bandstands do but on a much large scale with greater results. Out shades are specifically designed for extended outdoor use and made to provide the most heat relief and the greatest possible UV protection.
Are sail shades less effective than canopy style shades?
Surprisingly, sail shades can be just as effective at providing relief from intense sun and heat as full-sized shades. Designers look at the layout of your facility and orientate the shade’s placement and pitch to provide the most protection during peek sun hours. In some instances sail shade are not only the most attractive option but can be targeted to block the most intense sun.
If we will be under the shade do we still have to use sunscreen?
It is necessary to apply sunscreen every time you or children in your care go outside and to reapply it at least every two hours. Combining sunscreen, shade and protective clothing is the best way to prevent sun-related skin damage.
Why aren’t they waterproof?
The fabrics used in our shades are designed to primarily provide UV protection and reduce temperatures, not to act as a roof. Our shade fabrics feature a specially designed, breathable weave that allows hot air to flow freely from the top of the structure, greatly reducing temperatures. Despite the open weaving, the fabric still up to 80% water repellent.
Where can I use a shade?
Shades can be placed virtually anywhere and are great wherever you expect people to gather outside. The most common places we install shades are: Playgrounds, outdoor seating/dining areas, over bleachers, dugouts, band stands and near public pools.
How durable are they?
Our fabric is designed to withstand wind gusts up to 90 miles per hour, are resistant to mildew and rot and feature a special Lockstitch technique to prevent fraying and unraveling.
We occasionally experience severe storms? How do we protect our shade?
Whether your area experiences severe wind from storms and hurricanes or gets heavy snowfall, you can still have a shade. All shades can be removed and we offer an optional, quick release feature that enables you to quickly and easily remove and reattach the shade. Many customers choose to remove their shades during the winter and re-install them during the warmer summer months.
How hot is too hot?
Generally, temperatures between 30°F and 80°F are considered comfortable with appropriate attire. Temperatures over 80°F are uncomfortable and caution should be used during temperatures over 90°F. Understanding what temperatures pose a risk to health can help you decide if a sunshade will add extra value to your site.
Do you have your own questions about Shade Structures?
Contact an agent and get detailed answers about adding a shade structures to your space.
Playground surfacing is often the last thing people consider when clients describe their playground concept; in fact, many customers have not considered playground surfacing at all. However, choosing a surfacing is one of the most important decisions you will make during the planning and design process. There are two basic types of surfacing: loose fill and unitary surfacing. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding how they installation and what sort of maintenance they require are fundamental to making an informed purchase.
Playground Surfacing Basics
All playground surfacing is designed to provide a stable play surface and prevent injury by absorbing impact from falls. The ability of a surfacing to absorb force is called impact attenuation. There are tests designed to measure impact attenuation of surfacing and as certain types of surfaces age. They may need to replacing after years of use and exposure to weather. The higher children can climb on equipment, the more shock absorbing the surfacing surrounding it must be. For this reason there may be several different depths of surfacing throughout a given playground.
Loose Fill Surfacing
Loose fill playground surfacing absorbs impacts like packaging peanuts and requires some excavation beneath the playground to create an adequate depth to absorb impact. Redistribute loose fill surfacing from time to time as it scatters away from equipment when children play. Replenished natural products yearly to compensate for natural degrading.
Engineered Wood Fiber
Engineered wood fiber surfacing.
Unlike landscaping mulch, engineered wood fiber (EWF) mulch is made from natural wood. However, it’s not the same as mulch you use to prevent weeds in your home garden. EWF must meet certain size standards and is subject to a special milling process. This process causes the fibers interlock to form a relatively firm and smooth surface after use. Unlike garden mulch EWF isn’t treated with anything that may be harmful to children and will only experience minimal splintering.
Rubber Mulch
Blue rubber mulch playground surfacing.
Rubber mulch works much like EWF but is more durable. Unlike earlier incarnations of this product, rubber mulch now features a coating to prevent color transfer and is free from wires and metal remnants. Overall, rubber mulch works much like its wood counterpart; individual pieces lock together and form a stable walking surface. Unlike EWF, which naturally degrades over time, rubber mulch will last almost indefinitely. Moreover, it should stay in the playground area thanks to its design which prevents it from floating or blowing away.
All loose fill playground surfacing is mobile in nature and must be contained into your play area using existing barriers, such as sidewalks or specially installed playground borders. Over time, even well protected loose fill options may wash away and need to be replenished.
Helpful Hint: Manufacturers place stickers indicating the minimum fill depth of loose fill surfacing onto playground equipment. Playground borders often have a fill to line stamped onto the inside rim. If you can see the fill to line, you don’t have enough surfacing due to compaction, decomposition or washing away.
BYO does not recommend, sell or install pea gravel, wood bark or sand as a playground surface. These surfaces do not provide adequate shock absorption or protection from falls. Additionally, sand is not ADA compliant, regardless of the equipment installed there.
Unitary Surfacing
Unitary playground surfacing comes in three basic styles, rubber tiles, playground turf and poured in place surfacing. These surfacing options have the highest upfront cost but are more durable, have lower freight costs and higher impact absorbency. Whereas loose fill surfacing is out of the way in impact zones, like the bottom of slides and directly beneath swings, unitary surfacing slowly wears in these areas and may very rarely require patching or replacement. The regular use of impact mats in these areas will virtually eliminate this problem. After several years of use it may be advisable to have an impact absorption test on your playground by a certified playground safety inspector.
Rubber Tiles
Interlocking rubber tile surfacing.
The use of Rubber tiles have changed a lot since their introduction. Contemporary tiles lock together to form a smooth surface over top yet more rubber impact surfaces. Thanks to new technology, today’s tiles don’t bend or split like earlier editions and are extremely durable. Like other rubber products, tiles come in a variety of colors that form a combination of fun patterns. If you plan to move your playground at a later date or relocate facilities entirely, rubber tiles are a wonderful option. You can easily install, remove, and relocated rubber tiles without compromising safety.
Poured-In-Place
Custom poured-in-place surfacing.
Poured- in-place surfacing is poured and troweled into place in a process similar to laying concrete. Poured-in-place surfacing is available in virtually any design or pattern you can imagine. Customizations adds play value through creative, imaginative patterns or built in hopscotch or 4 square courts. It also has the highest impact absorbency and is simple to repair should it become damaged.
Playground Turf
Artificial turf surfacing.
Playground turf, is probably the most unique and most attractive surfacing option on the market today. Turf handles impacts every bit as well as poured in place at a comparable cost per square foot. It’s also lighter in weight than any other option, greatly reducing shipping costs. Additionally, repairs are simple should it be damaged by misuse or vandalism. There are several versions of turf on the market for use in playgrounds and many are antibacterial and antimicrobial.
Compare Your Options for Playground Surfacing
Determining which type of surfacing is best for your playground is a very personal decision. Due to their mobile nature, loose fill surfaces, despite their relatively low upfront cost, will have to be ‘topped off’ periodically. Over the years the maintenance cost of loose fill surfaces, as well as the commitment to regularly redistribute mulch is an important factor that eliminates this option for many locations.
Unitary surfacing may be the only option when installing a playground at an indoor facility or over an existing concrete or asphalt pad. Although the installation and material costs may be higher at first, the yearly maintenance costs are relatively nonexistent unless the playground is subject to vandalism or some sort of extraordinary circumstance.
The shipping cost of unitary surfacing is also more fixed in general whereas EWF in particular may be impacted by local ordinances and the greater weight of loose fill surfacing may raise costs even higher than unitary surfacing if your location is a considerable distance from a supplier. It is often best to consider several types of surfacing fitted to your location and playground before making a decision.
