Outdoor Recreation - Play Structure Surfacing
About Play Structure Surfacing
Introduction
| Toddlers, preschoolers, primary level and intermediate ages all love to play, and when summer comes around they all love to play outdoors. There are the swings, trapeze bars, rock walls, forts, towers and fire poles, all the more to make play structures rise in popularity. The surface of these play structures remains to be the most important aspect when installing these pieces into any playground or backyard. |
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Play Structure Surfacing & Safety
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Due to the fact that nearly 50,000 children are injured in home playground accidents yearly and the majority of these accidents are caused by falls, it is absolutely necessary to make sure your play structure is as safe as possible. No play structure can be complete without proper surfacing to cushion these falls and reduce the risk of injury. Many play structures are placed on grass instead of concrete or asphalt, but still this is not enough to absorb the shock of a fall. It is highly recommended to have a play structure surfacing with resilience such as sand, mulch, wood chips, or pea gravel. |
Make certain to have a safety clearance of six feet around your entire play structure set. The depth of your play structure surfacing depends on the height of the fall. For falls between eight and twelve feet high a six inch depth is advised. For falls up to eight feet, a minimum depth of four inches should cover the play area.
Types of Play Structure Surfacing
There are two things to consider before you choose your play structure surfacing: topography and soil. The topography or slope of your landscape will affect the drainage of water. Surface water should drain away from your play structure. Your landscape’s soil condition will also affect drainage as well as the stability of the play structure surfacing. Of course, you will be well advised by a landscape architect or store representative on which play structure surfacing best suits your needs. The following are some options:
| 1. Loose-fill material: such as sand, wood fiber or pea gravel. These are low cost, easy to find and easy to install with an attractive natural appearance, but the downfall is that they require a method of containment and maintenance to maintain the appropriate depth. Some of these materials are flammable and some can get into children’s eyes. |
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2. Poured-in-place rubber: this play structure surfacing allows you to play with colors and designs and is extremely durable, easy to clean and does not absorb water. Its low maintenance makes up for the higher cost. Level, unvarying surface is required for this permanent solution. |
3. Resilient tiles: factory-engineered materials with consistent shock-absorbency, good footing (ideal for wheelchairs) and is practically maintenance-free.
| The cost of these play structure surface materials can vary and may possibly make up for fifty percent or more of your playground’s total cost. One of the best ways to help you decide which options you prefer is to go and visit some existing play grounds with different play structure surfacing. |
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