Learn all about Planning a Playground in 6 easy steps, from designing your structures, choosing independent play items and safety surfacing to planning your install!
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!
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.
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.
Playground planning should be a fun, creative exercise and if you’re working with a professional designer who is certified in playground safety, you can leave the worrying to them and focus on your vision. Whether you’re planning a simple play space for use by a few children or a gigantic mega structure that can entertain dozens of children, we have three tips to help you get started on the right foot.
Playground Planning Basics
Before any major playground planning can begin, it’s important to know who you’re building your playground or outdoor space for. We’ll cover the basic aspects of your project that need to be established.
Age & Capacity
Playgrounds fall into two main safety categories 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. Both have different safety rules and each group has different developmental needs. Always build for your age group as much as possible to avoid installing equipment that is unsafe or underused.
You should also consider the size of your community and estimate the number of children using the playground at one time. Your professional designer can help you decide how big your structure (or structures) should be, how many bays of swings to install and help you stretch your budget to get the right sized playground.
Prioritize
Regardless of the size of your budget, it’s easy to overspend. As nice as it is to have everything, it’s important to approach the creative process with an idea of what you need. Starting out with a clear list of must haves as well as features you’d really like is a great way to make sure you are satisfied with the end results. Being upfront about your priorities can also help your designer guide your planning. If shade is a must have on your playground, your designer can help you figure out how much you need and the most affordable way to incorporate it.
Free & Low Cost Playground Planning Features
Playground structures are available in a variety of colors, most at no additional cost. Color choice should be as important for your playground as it is for your business or home décor. Even the smallest playgrounds can benefit from the right pallet. Get creative, a brown and red structure over red surfacing can create the impression of a mountain volcano and bright greens over blue feel like a tropical island.
Finding the right age appropriate playground structure can be a challenge depending on what kind of organization you have. Maybe you’re a park who needs to serve a variety of age groups. Or a preschool how needs to serve a toddlers. We are frequently asked why our playgrounds are separated by age and what these separations mean exactly. Finally, here’s everything you need to know about how we determine how to separate playgrounds by age.
Age Appropriate Playground Shopping Tips
When shopping for age-appropriate playground equipment it’s likely that you’ve noticed that manufactures all use the same age ranges. These age ranges divide up play structures, but many people are unsure of why or how. The simple answer is that reputable manufacturers are careful to follow the playground safety guidelines set forth by the U.S. CPSC. These guidelines divide playgrounds into three age appropriate groups: infant to 2 years, 2 years to 5 years, and 5 years to 12 years.
These aren’t just arbitrary age divisions. Playground age ranges are based on the physical abilities and average sizes of children in each group. As children age, they are driven to build specific physical skill sets. Because of this drive, equipment that was fascinating at 2 loses some of its appeal by age 5.
You may have noticed that some structures on our site are labeled 2-12. Typically these structures exemplify the most challenging equipment available within the 2-5 year age range. You won’t find any overhead climbers or challenging upper body activities because they’re just not appropriate for children under 5. The BYO design team always does their best to make equipment as engaging as possible within safety standards. In many instances, these playground are a good compromise. However, they may be a little high for timid younger children and a little tame for rambunctious older children.
Creating a Community Playground
In some ways, schools have it easy, they know the exact age range and to an extent, abilities, of the children using their play equipment. Municipalities, HOAs and churches need play equipment that fits a much wider age range. Luckily, there are many options available to help create a playground that fits each child and every space.
The Two Structure Solution
Frequently, space is the number one obstacle for prospective playground owners. In those rare instances when a playground can be located in a large open space there are several options for creating a playground that suits all ages.
The simplest age appropriate solution is to create two separate structures, each dedicated to an age range. Aside from allowing the greatest creative freedom, this option also channels children into different areas of the playground based on ability. This reduces the risk that a large child will knock down, trample or be tripped by a slower toddler. Optimally, these independent play structures would be separated by a few independent play items to create a buffer between sizes.
One Age Appropriate Structure Solution
If space or budget demands that your age appropriate playground only have one structure, it’s best to choose a structure that meets the safety requirements of the 2 to 5 age range and incorporates a low slide as well as a higher slide. The overall playground can be dressed up with more challenging independent play items, such as monkey bars or rock walls to create a physically challenging and stimulating environment for all children.
Fun for All
Some play items never get old. Here are our favorite independent play items that appeal to all ages.
Animal Shaped Climbers – Maybe it’s the thrill of riding a dinosaur or pretending to slay a dragon but thanks to their imaginative designs and relatively low profiles, these are our number one pick!
Tire Swings– Okay, regular swings are amazing but tire swings are just, the best. While infants can’t ride on tire swings, any child old enough to hold will feel a little more secure. You can even swing with your friends! Because they move in 360 degrees and are accessible to most children, tire swings are king!
Spinners– There are a few different versions of the spinner but they’re all pretty amazing. Because spinners come in so many sizes and styles pretty much any playground can find room for one or two.
Playground safety should be a primary factor of your project planning. Playgrounds are designed to withstand everything the environment and children can throw at them but they still need TLC to help keep them safe. When your playground is first installed it should meet every current standard but regular maintenance is needed over time to ensure playground safety measures are in place.
Don’t Ignore the Small Stuff
Little nicks and gouges in the powder coating, divots in the rubber components and other small imperfections are all side effects of regular use and exposure to the elements and infrequently may be the result of vandalism. Once or twice a year, your playground should be inspected for these issues.
Catching these problems early on prevents further damage to your structure. Catching and treating these small issues can significantly extend the life and beauty of your playground. Repair damage to metal posts using the touch-up paint provided in your playground care kit.
Hint: always check for damage at welded joints where the paint is the thinnest. Small damage to thermoplastic coated decks can be repaired using a torch but you may want to have a professional handle the repair if you aren’t handy.
Double Check for Anything out of Place
Children are creative and love to decorate their favorite things. It’s not unusual to find strings, yarn or cord tied around bars or woven through equipment. Unfortunately, these little works of art can become tangled with hands, fingers and ankles. Always remove any strings or cloth you find as even the smallest pieces can be an entanglement hazard.
You will also want to look for anything sticking up out of the ground, particularly if you use a loose fill surface like rubber mulch. From tree roots to lost toys and broken sticks anything that doesn’t belong on the playground should be regularly removed. If you’re using a loose fill surfacing, go ahead and rake it all back into place.
Evaluate Your Site for Playground Safety
Take a moment to step back and look at your entire playground safety efforts. Is everything still level? Are there any dramatic dips or pot holes? Cracked concrete, misaligned borders and puddling away from equipment can be a sign that your subbase is washing away or that tree roots may be damaging your play surface. As with any problem the sooner you identify the issue the easier and more affordable the solution will be.
This is also an opportunity to take a look up. If your playground is near trees, it’s important to keep the branches trimmed back and away from equipment, at least 6 feet away. You should also look for damaged or dead branches that might fall onto the playground equipment or guests.
In previous blog posts we’ve discussed the importance of using proper surfacing and discussed what requirements need to be met to meet different material safety and design safety standards. For more information on playground safety, subscribe to our blog!
