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Community & Park Spaces

Basics for Creating the Perfect Dog Park

Dog parks are becoming more and more popular in communities. In fact, according to the ASPCA, there are between 70 and 80 million dogs in the United States. Experts believe that common behaviors, like barking, have evolved in order to communicate with their human owners. With an estimated 33,000 years of cohabitation, it is no wonder that many dog owners think about their pets when choosing where to live, vacation and play. Dog parks are the fastest growing type of outdoor play equipment. Likewise, more new dog parks being established in urban areas than any other type of park.

Adding a dog park is a great way to bring members of your community together and increase socialization. Dog parks can even improve security in your community by encouraging neighbors to get to know one another. The good news is that dog parks are less expensive to set up and maintain than you would expect. Specialty equipment is simpler to install and generally subject to fewer restrictions than equipment for children and adults.

Selecting a Dog Park Space

You will want to choose a large, well drained space; dog parks are generally at least a quarter acre in size. The area will need to be fenced in to allow off leash play and close attention should be paid to the lay of ground. Smoother fields will be the simplest to layout, the easiest to fence and require little to no earth moving before installation. Larger parks may benefit from a variety of terrain as long as there are no dangerous elevations or pits. These obstacles could might injure an adventurous dog or owner.

Keeping pets in the park should be a top priority and given careful consideration. Fencing should be at least 4 feet high but some breeds may be able to jump fences up to 6 feet. Providing double gated entries are a simple precaution to help prevent lost pets. Visitors enter through the first gate, latch it and unleash their pet before opening the second gate. This prevents pets from rushing through the gate as it opens.

Basic Dog Park Amenities

The best way to ensure your park space stays orderly and clean is to have clearly posted rules to assist visitors. Just like a humans only park, your dog park should have regularly placed trash cans to help prevent littering. To prevent a buildup of pet waste in your park, include pet waste stations throughout your park. Pet waste stations are very effective at encouraging owners to pick up waste. In fact, many communities are adding them to other pet friendly public spaces like jogging paths and barbecue spaces.

All dog parks should be designed to be ‘off leash’ play spaces but many pet owners don’t realize that leaving a pet leashed around other pets can quickly spell disaster. Prevent accidents by clearly postings signs that remind owners that all pets must be off leash in the dog park space. Providing leash holders by the entrance is a simple way to reinforce the rules while offering guests a convenient place to store leashes up off the ground. Hydration is important to both people and pets. Water fountains with spigots for both people and dogs built into the design are becoming increasingly popular in all park spaces. Many dog parks also include amenities like park benches and shades that encourage human guests to stay longer.

Bonding With Your Canine Through Play

Devoted dog owners may be looking for a better way to bond with their pets and encourage exercise. Adding an obstacle course to your dog park is a great way to encourage pets and their owners to engage in a healthy lifestyle while bonding through training. Dog park equipment does not require special surfacing and is generally simple to install. A wide range of specialty equipment is available to provide engaging exercise for all breeds. If your park will be welcoming dogs in a wide range of sizes, select adjustable equipment that allows the pet owner to select the appropriate level of difficulty.

If you choose to set aside an area of your dog park for small dogs and puppies or are installing equipment in a community that only allows smaller dogs you may wish to select specialized equipment designed exclusively for small and toy breeds. You may also choose to place obstacles closer together than you would in a park that allows dogs of all sizes. Be sure to only use equipment that has been specifically designed by use for dogs and not to use any human playground equipment.

The Bark Park line has been designed to be safe for use around people and pets and features canine coat thermoplastic coating which is designed for outdoor use in all weather and is both slip and urine resistant. BYO Recreation sells and installs Bark Park dog park equipment because we care about the comfort and safety of pets and their owners.

Categories
Playground Equipment

The Simple Guide to Swing Set Anatomy

Children swinging on a commercial swing set

Planning on purchasing a commercial swing set for your playground? It’s important to understand how to maintain them. We’ve compiled a guide to help you understand what goes into a swing set and how to maintain yours. Remember that nothing replaces your own common sense. Should you ever believe that something is wrong with any playground equipment contact a professional for assistance.

Basic Anatomy of a Swing Set

Swing sets com in a variety of styles but many components are universal. Understanding the basic components will help you maintain your swing set more efficiently.

Chains

Next, chains are typically made of galvanized steel and coated in plastisol, providing a softer gripping surface and preventing pinching. Always replace any chains showing signs of excessive wear, twisting or pinching

Hangers

Hangers are the component that attach the chain to the beam. These vary depending on the style of your swing. Inspect hangers yearly to ensure they are tightly attached and replace if they appear corroded or worn thin.

Pendulum

 Pendulums and other moving parts are susceptible to wear more than any other part of swing sets. Inspect them closely and replace if any portion has worn thin or if the part stops moving smoothly.

Connectors

A variety of connectors on commercial swing sets are attach the frame and swing together. Inspect these annually, tightening any loose bolts and closing any S Hooks that have become bent out of shape.

Swing Set Seats

Girl using a commercial swing seat on the playground
An example of an accessible swing set seat.

The most common swing seats are belt seats, which are a wide strip of galvanized metal coated in plasticine. Bucket seats are another popular option that provides basic support for young children, both are available in a variety of colors. There are also adaptive swing seats designs for people who can not support their torso, head and neck in a traditional seat.  

Additionally, always replace seats when they show signs of cracking, swelling, peeling or extreme discoloration. Also closely check the metal fitting that connect the swing to the chain and any safety straps should be in working order, replace if torn.

Swing Set Use Zone

Finally, the playground use zone around each item is determined and reflected in the final installed playground. Place nothing in the use zone of your swing set, including obvious paths of traffic, trash cans, over grown tree branches or bike racks. Moreover, never install anything on your playground without establishing the complete use zone for all of your equipment. More importantly, no playground is complete without a proper swing set!

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Preventing Dehydration at Your Park or Playground

A girl preventing dehydration by sipping at a water fountain

Dehydration is a leading cause of emergency room visits during the summer months. Whether you are constructing a park or improving your community’s public spaces, plan to prioritize heat relief.

Dehydration Causes & Prevention

Water plays a huge role in the body’s normal internal functions. Water carries heat away from internal organs and cools the surface of the body through sweat. Improper hydration can lead to heat stroke and even death. The very young and the very old are the most susceptible to heat related illnesses. However, anyone can become seriously dehydrated in a short time during the hot summer months.

As the heat index climbs it’s important for everyone to drink plenty of fluids. After accounting for fluid-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, Harvard experts recommend 4 to 6 cups per day.

Of course, you can’t control how well your guests prepare to for their day outdoors. But you can provide them with plenty of healthy options during their visit. The choice you make will ultimately determine how comfortable and safe your playground or park space will be.

Provide Your Own Water Source

Many municipalities have laws regarding the placement of water fountains. You’ll want to consult your state and local laws before beginning any major changes. Whether or not you are required to place them in your outdoor space, you should consider offering frequent water stations. If your space is pet friendly, including combination pet and people fountains will ensure that all your guests have access to clean water.

Shade Your Playground Equipment!

Excessive sweating and overheating combine to cause heat sickness. A great way to prevent illnesses related to overexposure is to provide plenty of shade. If you are planning to turn a wooded space into a park or playground you can simply plan your site clearing to preserve healthy trees. Shade structures are another excellent way to incorporate shade into outdoor spaces. Proper shade can lower outdoor temperatures up to 30 degrees.

Strategically placing shade, along with water fountains, is a great way to encourage people to stay longer and return to your facility more frequently.

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Best Site Amenities to Ramp Up Your Community Picnic Space

site-amenities-at-a-park

Adding site amenities to your picnic area is a great way to encourage active, healthy lifestyles in your community. Adding a park is simple since most equipment is easy to install, relatively low cost, and requires little special preparation. There are almost endless options for park spaces so creating a solid concept and prioritizing the items you need to make that vision become reality is the key to being successful.

Site Amenities Basics

When you plan a picnic space, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of site amenities to choose from. You can choose from metal, aluminum and even concrete park furniture, each with its own distinct advantages.

Picnic Tables

Metal tables are powder coated, relatively lightweight and, thanks to the perforated bench and table tops, stay cleaner than other options. The powder coating keeps them cooler as well, which is nice. Concrete tables are the go to option for parks and campgrounds that have out of the way picnic spaces because they are the most difficult to move and extra resistant to vandalism. Aluminum tables are the lightest in weight so they are the obvious choice if you plan to move your picnic furniture around frequently.

Park Grills

Once you have selected your basics, you’ll want to add amenities that encourage families to enjoy your park space.  Select a mounted, pedestal, heavy duty grill that has removable grates. Commercial outdoor grills come in rotating, dual-grate, campfire rings, and more!

Pet Waste Stations

One of the most important things you can do to keep your park space clean is to include plenty of waste disposal stations. Placing trash cans within easy reach of seating and cooking areas encourages guests to dispose of waste properly rather than on the ground. If your space is pet friendly, you may want to throw in a few pet waste stations as well.

Learn More About Site Amenities

Looking for something grander in your park space? Imagination really is the limit; you can add bandstands, gazebos and even decorative pathways. Reach out to learn what site amenities are right for your space! 

Categories
Playground Planning

3 Smart Playground Planning Tips You Probably Haven’t Considered

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.

Categories
Playground Equipment Playground Planning

How to Choose Age Appropriate Playground for Your Organization

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.

  1. 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
Categories
Playground Planning Playground Safety

Top Playground Safety Inspection Tips

Evaluating Playground Safety

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!

Categories
Playground Planning

Safe Playground Installation: DIY or Hire a Pro?

Playground installers unloading equipment from a truck

Playground installation is arguably the most important part of planning your playground. Purchasing a playground is a major investment that signifies a commitment to the health and happiness of children in your community.

Although planning and purchasing a playground is always exciting, everyone wants to know that they received the best deal. It can be tempting to try and cut corners and maximize your budget for equipment. However, proper playground installation is well worth every penny.

DIY Playground Installation

Even most well designed structure poses a threat to safety if bolts are left untightened or misplaced. Additionally, every playground should come with a complete installation and care manual. In real world conditions, inattention to detail and simple confusion can turn a DIY install into a disaster.

Not to mention, a botched playground installation costs nearly as much or more to disassemble and re-install equipment. Sometimes, equipment even ends up damaged and has to be replaced, adding unexpected and unwanted costs.

Contractors

If you want competitive prices for your installation don’t be afraid to shop around. However, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. National Playground Construction, a BYO affiliate, has a network of crews who specialize in playground installation. Moreover, each crew member is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.

There are many contractors across the country who are skilled commercial playground equipment installers. The services provided by specialized installation companies are not comparable to the services of inexperienced contractors or handymen.

When taking bids for your job, ask to see examples of playgrounds they have installed and ask for references. Even better, request past clients who are willing to share their experiences working with the installation team. You should always choose licensed and insured professionals with a good standing in your community. If your contractor isn’t a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, ensure that a playground inspection is completes to avoid any issues.

Playground Planning

If you choose a reputable playground design company, they should include a site plan for your project. Professional installers use this plan as a guide to ensure that your equipment is properly spaced. Each piece of playground equipment has a prescribed use zone. Use zones are areas surrounding the equipment that are considered in use during normal play.

Additionally, proper use zones ensure that children using different pieces of equipment don’t fall onto each other. Use zones greatly reducing the risk of injury, ensuring that children can’t fall from one piece of equipment onto another. A good designer can manipulate use zones and playground layout to fit more equipment safely into a smaller space.

Certified Playground Installation

NPC playground installation at Palencia Elementary School
NPC playground installation at Palencia Elementary School

Your playground installation professional will understand how to properly prepare the site, ensuring that you playground remains stable. Playgrounds installed over soil need to have a proper subbase in place before any equipment can be installed. Preparing the site and subbase requires choosing materials and processes to match your specific site. Pros know all the tricks to ensure that your playground drains properly without washing away your subbase. A fault subbase can cause your playground to shift over time.

If fact, every playground certified playground has approved safety surfacing to meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s guidelines. Even with loose fill surfacing, ensuring that it prevents critical head injuries requires specialized knowledge. The depth of any safety surfacing is dependent on the fall height of the equipment.

Finally, fall height is the distance a child can fall when using the highest piece of equipment. An 8 foot structure will require more safety surfacing than ground level equipment, such as balance beams. A well planned and executed playground can help you cut costs safely. By varying the surfacing depth to match the fall height of each piece of equipment, you spend only what you need to.

BYO Playground is available to help you make the most our of your playground project. Rely on dependable services from playground planning to playground installation!

Categories
Playground Planning

Host a Costume Playground Party! Fun Themes & Safety Tips

Host a costume playground party for the children in your community this Halloween! Throwing a playground party is a great idea for schools, churches, and communities to provide a safe place to celebrate.

Whether you’re a parent, PTO member or a HOA board member, you can help make the most out of your play space by hosting a fun, interactive playground party! The best part is you don’t need a lot of preparation or special equipment. In fact, most families and organizations will already have everything they need.

Playgrounds are great places for kids to stretch their muscles and their minds. Dressing up adds an extra dimension and may encourage children to be more outgoing. Costumes are also a great way to build confidence, vocabulary, emotional, and social skills. Planning a costume playground party challenges children to practice dramatic play and use equipment as props. 

Playground Party Themes

  • Space: This theme is fun because it’s open to interpretation. Children will show up as astronauts, aliens and you’ll probably see one or two ‘space princesses.’
  • Jungle: This theme is a great way to avoid gender stereotypes and encourage truly active play.
  • Cops and Robbers: Children divide into two groups, making this perfect for more competitive children or for team activities.
  • Superhero Showdown: Superheroes are particularly popular right now. Be sure to encourage kids and parents to take an rule from the Incredibles and impose a ‘no capes’ rule.

Playground Party Safety Tips

Children enjoying a playground party in their Halloween costumes
Children enjoying a playground party in their Halloween costumes at a childcare center.

Playground safety should always be the number one priority when children are involved. Provide guidelines and let parents know these are great tips to keep in mind whenever their children hit the playground. Avoid loose clothing, ribbons, hoodies with strings and other garments that can become entangled on equipment.

Footwear

Check your shoes. Flipflops, sandals, and Crocs are a convenient choice when you’re heading out the door. However, they are major no-nos on the playground. Children should always wear closed toed footwear that fastens securely with either lace or Velcro.

Weather

Keep the weather in mind. Children overheat extremely easily, costumes should play second fiddle to comfort. Try to pick a playground party theme that matches the season. Allow children to layer during cold weather and avoiding heavy clothes during summer.

Limit Certain Types of Clothing

Dress up but skip long dresses. Children should try to wear clothes that let them jump, climb and explore. Long dresses, pants that restrict movement or clothes that just won’t stay on, should be eschewed in favor of sturdier clothing.

Keep these tips and tricks handy this Halloween season to play your own fun playground party!

Categories
Community & Park Spaces Playground Planning

Why Kids Sports Are More Important Than Ever

An example of young children playing a kids sport

Partaking in kids sports can be one of the biggest commitments a child can make. Choosing a sport, joining a team and practicing regularly are unique experiences that can’t be replicated by other activities. Whether you and your child choose a casual ‘everybody plays’ team or a more competitive team, your entire family will be making a huge commitment of time and energy.

Why Kids Sports are Worth It

According to research, participating in kids sports seems to improve almost every aspect of a child’s physical and emotional health. Here are some noteworthy benefits.

Physical & Emotional Benefits

According to the University of Florida Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, students who participate in sports perform better in school, have better social skills and are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Studies also show that children and teens who participate in sports are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.

According to the President’s Council on Fitness, girls who participate in kids sports develop a better body image, self esteem, and confidence. In addition to having a healthier body and immune system, children experience better sleep cycles on average than inactive children. The best part is that children receive the benefits whether or not they excel at the sports.

Why do Children Quit Kids Sports? 

Like the initial attraction to kids sports, the reasons for quitting can vary from child to child. Remember that children live lives every bit as complex as adults, just with less control over the circumstances. Children might not understand or be able to express why they aren’t enjoying a sport anymore. When a children complain that the sport isn’t fun anymore, parents should dig deeper to discover the source of the problem.

Healthy Competition

Some children thrive on intense competition, others shy away from it. Even gifted athletes may not enjoy a hyper competitive team and less talented athletes can find a more recreational team boring if it doesn’t present a challenge. Adjusting the type of sport and league may be a way to keep a child involved in kids sports. If the first sport or team doesn’t work out, don’t give up. It may take several attempts to find the right sport and team for your child.

Many schools require students to maintain a certain grade level to participate in sports. Struggling students may be reluctant to try out for teams if they think there’s a chance of being kicked off. Sadly, students who struggle in school may need to belong to a team more than anyone. Belonging to a team gives children a sense of belonging and improved attitude. Additionally, kids spots help them develop the self-discipline they need to get better grades.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to include kids sports at your organization.