Category: Playground Equipment

Defining your playground equipment needs is the very 1st step to playground planning. Learn how to establish your age group, get an idea of how many children will use your play area, how much space you need when you should expect your playground equipment, and what your budget should be.

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Playground Equipment

How Accessible Playground Equipment Can Make Your Space More Inclusive

In 1990, there was a big win for accessible playground equipment initiatives. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed! This act is designed to give civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it “guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations” and other locations.

Accessible Playground Equipment Types

Here at BYO Recreation, we believe in every child having the opportunity to enjoy the thrill and excitement of adventure on the playground. Whether your playground is at a daycare, in a park, at a school or at your place of business, you should make sure that your playground equipment is ADA approved. These standards give every child the ability and access to fair play.

Wheelchair Ramps

Example of a wheelchair ramp for accessible playground equipment
An integrated playground ramp for wheelchair use.

First, one way to equip your space with accessible playground equipment is to install wheelchair ramps. These help kids enter and exit the play space with ease, especially playgrounds that are bordered. BYO Recreation offers a variety of playground surfaces for wheelchair accessibility. All are ADA certified, but some are a little easier to move around on than others. For example, our mulch is ADA certified, but installing a Poured-In-Place surface is smoother and easier for wheelchairs to move around on.

Accessible Swings & Spring Riders

Example of an accessible playground swing
An accessible playground swing for children of all abilities. Comes with or without a safety harness.

Another way for kids with special needs to enjoy accessible playground equipment are the swings and spring riders. BYO Recreation offers swings that are designed specifically for kids with special needs. They are engineered with a safety bar that lowers down and buckles in place to ensure the child’s safety.  

Additionally, spring riders are great because they are low to the ground and a whole bunch of fun! The height makes it easy for kids to move from their wheelchair onto the spring rider and back. Each rider has feet and hand pegs, so kids can hold on and spring away!

Learn More About Accessible Playground Equipment

There are plenty of ways to include accessible playground equipment at your space. We’ve highlighted only a couple ways that will allow children with disabilities to feel included on your playground.

To learn about more ways to make your playground ADA accessible and keep kids safe at play please visit BYO Recreation’s website or give us a call at 1-800-853-5316. One of our consultants will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and concerns. We’re ready to help you choose the best accessible playground equipment for your play space.

Also, to learn about playground safety, please review the Public Playground Safety Handbook. To obtain a playground safety checklist please refer to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Checklist.

Finally, subscribe to our blog for more useful information on accessible playground equipment and more!

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Playground Equipment Playground Safety

Commercial Swing Set Maintenance Best Practices

example-of-a-commercial-arch-swing-set

A commercial swing set is the most common playground equipment component found in any play space. It’s also the most used structure by kids of all ages. The heavy amount of use makes it even more critical to inspect your playground swings every six months to a year.

Standard Commercial Swing Set Inspection

A commercial swing set is composed of several parts such as swivels, seats, frame connectors, hangers and chains. Over time every day wear and tear from use and Mother Nature take a toll on these parts causing equipment to become brittle, or weak. When inspecting your commercial swing set, examine the chains and hangers first, because these are the most replaced parts of a swing set.

Swing Chains

Some chains come coated in a protective material to prevent children from pinching themselves. Over time, this coating can come off and expose the chain metal. The chain is coated in anti-ruse, galvanized steel, but the coating gives extra protection and a nice visual appeal to your swing set.

Swing Hangers

Hangers are what attaches the swing to the top beam and slows for swinging motion. After years of swinging back and forth, these hangers wear down and become weak. The swinging motion rubs the chain against the hanger, which causes the link to become thin over a period of years. These should be replaced when worn out to ensure children will be safe while swinging.

Learn More About Commercial Swing Set Care

Every aspect of your swing set should be inspected to ensure your play structure is up-to-code and safe for child play. If you are unsure of how to inspect your playground space, please call BYO Recreation at 1-800-853-5316. Our certified playground representatives can help you make a checklist of all the major parts to examine.

Additionally, to learn more about playground safety, please review the Public Playground Safety Handbook. To obtain a playground safety checklist please refer to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Checklist.

Finally, for more tips on how to inspect your playground for safety, subscribe to our blog! And remember to inspect your commercial swing set annually!

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Playground Equipment Playground Safety

What You Should Know About Playground Maintenance & Safety

Playground maintenance is a huge part protecting your investment and prolonging the life of your playground equipment. Whether you are in charge of maintaining a playground for a school, church or community, you should familiarize yourself with basic playground maintenance requirements to assure you maintain a safe play environment. We have covered the different playground components in previous blog posts, and encourage you to treat each part of your playground with equal care.

Playground Maintenance Checklist

Structures & Independent Items

Playground structures combine many of the maintenance concerns of independent play equipment along with their own special care. The complexity of your playground maintenance routine is determined by your structure size and what types of components it incorporates. Even the largest structures should not require more than a few hours of playground maintenance per year.

Hidden Problems to Note

The most dangerous accidents on playgrounds result in entanglement or entrapment. Entanglement most frequently happens when clothing, rope or fabric becomes tied or tangled on equipment. Hooded sweatshirts and other loose clothing is the biggest factor in entanglement. However, you can minimize risks by ensuring that there are no bolts or screws protruding. Additionally, any rope, string, or ribbon that children may have tied onto the structure should be removed immediately.

Entrapment occurs when a body part is not easily be removable from or pass through equipment. Older equipment has gaps built into the design that are no longer safe. Inspect any equipment over 10 years old with the services of a certified playground safety inspector. The inspector will use a set of templates to test the openings on your equipment. This determines if they are neither too small nor too wide for safe use.

Independent Playground Equipment Maintenance

There are a number of other hazards that can occur as your playground is exposed to time. Each year, your playground maintenance routine should consist of examining the underside of your structure. Safely remove any insect or wasp nests before they can become a danger. Remember that if a child can get in or under something, they will. The safest course of action is to treat your entire play area and always remove anything that doesn’t belong.

Like anything else, your playground will benefit tremendously from a regular maintenance routine. Cover any scratches or chips with a fresh coat of touch up paint to prevent rusting. Also, clean off any built up dirt or grime and clean moving parts so that they move smoothly. Furthermore, check that any loose joints, close bolt or pins, and remove any damaged equipment. Check your surfacing to ensure that loose fill has not become swept away and replenish it as needed.

All together, you’ll probably spend less time maintaining your playground than sweeping up leaves or removing trash each year. However, taking the time to create a proper maintenance plan will greatly extend your equipment life.

Learn more about playground maintenance and safety for independent play equipment, swing sets ,and surfacing!