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6 Keys to a Successful Inclusive, and Accessible Playground

According to the CDC, about one in six children aged 3 through 17 have one or more developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities can cause physical, behavioral, verbal, or cognitive challenges for a child. These conditions often impact a child’s day-to-day life and can make even simple activities difficult.

At AdventureTurf, we firmly believe that recreation should be accessible to all – regardless of ability. It’s our goal to provide safe access to play spaces for every child so that they can share the basic childhood joys of the playground with their peers. We keep safety and inclusivity at the forefront of all we do.

Our playground surfacing design and installation allows safe access to ground-level play components that are wheelchair accessible. We use beveled edges to make every accessible playground compliant with ADA standards. Whether you want to renovate existing play areas or construct a new inclusive, and accessible playground, our professionals at AdventureTurf are here to guide you through the process.

What makes a playground accessible?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) established specific guidelines for a playground to be considered “accessible.” The ADA requires that any new or existing playground at government buildings, public facilities, and commercial installations meet accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities.

The goal of an inclusive and accessible playground is to give every child the chance to enjoy the play equipment with their peers in a safe way, regardless of their physical abilities. Accessible play spaces focus on eliminating barriers that may prevent a child in a wheelchair or other mobility device from easily navigating to playground equipment. An accessible design for a newly constructed playground considers wheelchair maneuverability at each point of the design process.

A well-designed playground includes accessible play components that are easy for children who use wheelchairs to reach. This usually includes accessible ground routes, a firm ramp surface, transfer systems, and unitary playground surfacing.

AdventureTurf helps create accessible, safe playgrounds with our expertise and attention to detail at every step. If you are seeking to make a wheelchair-accessible playground, here are 6 important things to consider.

#1 Site Selection and Playground Planning

An inclusive playground starts with a carefully considered design. When selecting the play equipment, it is just as important to map out how people should enter and move around the site. An accessible route gives all users equal access regardless of ability or mobility level.

Site plans should detail the proposed accessible route because even though a site appears flat, it may exceed the maximum slope to be an ADA-compliant path. We diligently keep track of all playground components during the surface installation process. Playground equipment is sometimes relocated during construction and changes from the initial plan, which results in wheelchair paths that are not ADA-compliant. We ensure that site plans show designated areas of entry and egress connected between all elevated play components, ground-level elements, and every type of substrate and loose-fill surfacing materials.

#2 Know the ADA standards for accessible playgrounds

  • There must be an accessible path to the playground that allows easy access for a wheelchair or mobility device
  • There must be a ground-level play component of every type present on the playground
  • At least half of the elevated play equipment must be on a wheelchair-accessible path
  • Ramps in accessible play areas must have handrails on each side
  • Seating must offer easy access and transfer from a mobility device
  • Surfacing that complies with ASTM 1951 (Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment)

#3 Compare Surface Options

adventureTURF offers numerous options for ADA-compliant playground surfacing. Each has its merits, and we can help you determine which surfacing is right for you.

Poured Rubber Playground Surfacing

Also called “wet pour rubber flooring,” “rubberized playground surfacing,” “safety flooring for playgrounds,” or “playground base.”

  • Pros: most durable, permanent surface option, low maintenance, customizable for depth, color, shape, and design. It’s also a soft surface, making it very safe.
  • Cons: Typically this type of surface will last 10-15 years with proper maintenance. But, PIP rubber can wear out over time. After a simple evaluation, surface wear and tear issues can usually be resolved quickly and inexpensively.
Durable, soft playground surface: poured rubber playground flooring

Rubber Tiles

  • Pros: Shock-absorbent and safe for falls from 6 feet (for 2.5-inch rubber tiles) up to 8 feet (for 4.25-inch tiles), suitable for those with skin sensitivities and allergies. These materials are free of metal, wood, harsh chemicals, and other irritating materials. The non-porous texture means it remains a non-slip surface even when wet.
  • Cons: If not installed properly, the grooves/edges of the tiles could create a tripping hazard.

Bonded Rubber Mulch

  • Pros: Can protect from falls up to 10 feet, depending on the exact product and depth used. Its unitary surface makes bonded rubber a better playground flooring choice than common loose-fill materials like shredded rubber mulch, wood chips, sand, engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, or dirt/grass. It is also resistant to acquiring embedded debris.
  • Cons: Pieces can become unglued and loose. Also, bonded rubber mulch typically only consists of a single surfacing layer.

Artificial Grass/Turf

  • Pros: If the artificial grass is firm and a wheelchair can easily move around it, you can use synthetic grass for accessible playgrounds that are ADA-compliant. It works well for people with grass allergies. Artificial turf with a thickness of 2.1-3.1″ achieves a fall height safety factor of five feet. A thickness of 3.3-4.3″ achieves a height of seven feet, which is recommended for most residential and commercial playgrounds.
  • Cons: Certain types of artificial turf may not absorb falls from as high as poured-in-place surfacing. Synthetic turf may need additional padding or underlayment to keep kids safe and achieve the proper fall-height rating. Confirming the specific product’s details is essential to ensure it is safe for an accessible playground.

Pavement

  • Pros: While concrete and asphalt playground pavement surfaces are ADA-compliant for ramps and flooring, it is not appropriate to use underneath playground equipment. If you choose playground pavement, opt for a play space with a tactical experience, adding textures like rumble strips or undulations to concrete or asphalt surfaces. Children with special needs can benefit from play that stimulates their sense of touch.
  • Cons: Concrete has almost no shock absorbency, so it does not meet ASTM standards for fall height. This means concrete is unsafe for use directly under play structures. A severe head injury can occur due to a fall from the equipment. Wear and weather can also create cracks in the surface, posing a safety hazard and making wheelchair navigation difficult.

#4 Know the Playground Safety Standards for Inspection

As a playground owner, you must know that your wheelchair-accessible playground meets safety standards. Playground safety is essential for every child, but children with special needs need special attention to safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lays out guidelines that all public playgrounds must adhere to.

  1. Playground surfacing surrounding the play equipment must have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or rubber mats.
  2. Protective surfacing must extend at least 6 feet in every direction from play equipment. If you have a swing set at your facility, the surrounding surfacing must be twice the height of the suspending bar.
  3. Your accessible play structures that are more than 30 inches high must be spaced at least 9 feet apart.
  4. Avoid hardware that could potentially cause injuries, such as open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends. 
  5. Make sure spaces where children could get stuck, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, are less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
  6. There should be no sharp edges or points on any of the play equipment.
  7. Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
  8. Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
  9. Inspect the playground regularly to ensure play equipment and surfacing are in good condition.
  10. Children must always be supervised while on the playground.

The surface material around and under accessible playground equipment plays a vital role in reducing the risk of life-threatening head injuries. A shock-absorbing surface is less likely to cause serious harm compared to a hard surface. However, it’s important to realize that falls can still result in injuries, regardless of the surface material used.

#5 Recognize that Proper Installation of Play Surface Systems is Key

Professional expert installation of your playground surface is critical to ensure its safety and longevity. When the playground surface is installed, an on-site inspection of the surfacing should be conducted along the accessible routes, at the clear ground spaces for entry or egress of the equipment, and at any turning spaces.

When we install your surfacing, we will measure the running slope and cross slope to make sure they are wheelchair-accessible. All playground equipment must meet our high standards of firmness and stability, and we are meticulous in ensuring there are no gaps in the surfacing that could pose a problem for wheelchairs.

#6 Understand How to Maintain Your Accessible Playground

Regardless of which surfacing material you choose, regular maintenance is vital to having a safe and accessible playground. Basic maintenance includes inspection, cleaning, and repair when necessary. Regular visual inspections and simple cleaning can help ensure it remains safe for children at play. Start by sweeping away dirt with a soft-bristled broom or leaf blower, but avoid stiff bristles that could cause damage to the surfacing.

You may also use an appropriate product to sanitize your unitary surface against germs and bacteria. For more extensive repair work, speak to our professionals at AdventureTurf who specialize in restoring these surfaces back into great condition. These precautionary steps ensure your wheelchair-accessible playground stays safe and enjoyable for everyone!

Accessible and Inclusive Playground FAQ

For most of our customers, having wheelchair-accessible equipment is a top priority. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from clients:

What is an inclusive playground?

Just because a playground is labeled as accessible doesn’t guarantee inclusivity. While traditional playgrounds are not accessible to children of varying abilities, inclusive playgrounds are designed to be fun for all kids. An inclusive play area means children with wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility devices can play alongside their peers and gain the same social skills, sensory stimulation and motor skills as their friends.

No child feels left out when kids play together using inclusive playground equipment. This is why it’s crucial for playground equipment to be both accessible and inclusive. Our playground surfacing includes safe ground-level components, beveled edges, and smooth, accessible routes for wheelchairs and walkers. We take pride in creating surfacing for accessible and inclusive play areas. Our surfaces are carefully crafted to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Indoor Playground Surfacing

What surfacing materials cannot be used for a wheelchair-accessible playground?

Asphalt, carpeting not tested to ASTM standards, concrete, dirt, grass, and CCA-treated wood mulch are not approved for a wheelchair-accessible playground according to the Handbook for Public Playground Safety. AdventureTurf offers many safe alternatives and we can help you find the perfect material for your playground.

What is an acceptable loose surface material for playgrounds?

If you are looking for surfacing to use with wheelchair-accessible playground equipment, loose surface materials are not the best option. If you do opt for a loose material for your play space, the best option is Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF), which is ADA-approved.

What is the ASTM standard for playground surfacing?

The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard 1292 applies to all surfacing materials used at a playground. Each surfacing type has its own ASTM standard that specifies requirements unique to the material, such as the method of installation, particle size, and water drainage. It measures the firmness of playground surfacing and the risk of life-threatening fall injuries from various heights.

AdventureTurf makes sure all our surfacing is ASTM 1292 certified. ASTM 1951 is specific to accessible playgrounds, and it is required by law because it is a part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What is recommended to use as a fall surface on a children’s playground?

Falls are the most common reason for playground injuries, making up an estimated 44%, according to the CPSC. Each surface material has a “critical height,” an approximation of the maximum fall height where a life-threatening head injury would not likely occur. The fall height of a piece of playground equipment is the distance from the highest play surface on the equipment to the protective surface beneath it. The critical height rating of the surfacing material should be greater than or equal to the fall height of the highest piece of playground equipment. At AdventureTurf, we will help you determine the proper fall surfacing based on the equipment at your playground.

Give all kids access to adventures of fun with AdventureTurf!

Contact us today to see how our great surfacing options and professional installation can make your playground an amazing place to play for everyone!

Create an award-winning playground design in 6 easy steps

Are you creating a new play area or renovating an existing one? You may not have considered how to integrate landscaping into your planning process, but the two are inseparable for a successful playground. Your play area should harmonize with its surroundings, no matter if it’s in a residential community, public park or private childcare facility. By incorporating landscaping into your design, you can maximize benefits for the community, families, and children who use it.

Why is playground landscaping important?

Designing a visually appealing and functional playground can transform public spaces and private institutions. A playground with bright colors and imaginative themes can encourage kids to engage in physical activity and develop social skills.

For example, an under-the-sea-themed playground can spark imaginative play and curiosity about nature, or a castle-themed playset can encourage role-playing and social play.

A well-designed play space can benefit kids and adults alike. Creating a safe and inviting play area can bring families and neighbors together to foster a strong sense of community. Improving your playground’s landscaping can attract the surrounding community and offer immesurable benefits.

6 Tips for Designing the Ultimate Playground Landscape

While you may not be a professional architect with your own landscape design software, creating an incredible playground for your location is a breeze with the right resources. Here are six tips for designing the ultimate play area for children in public spaces, schools, recreational facilities, and beyond. 

#1 Break down your budget

Before beginning any major project, it is essential to break down every element of the process and budget for each. Aside from playground equipment, you will need to budget for installation, safety surfacing, and other site amenities. A typical new playground development will cost between $18,000-$35,000, depending on the size of the project. If your budget is on the lower end, make sure you don’t sacrifice quality and safety to cut costs. Consider doing the project in phases as your funding permits.

#2 Choose the right location for your play space

The first step in building a playground should always be locating the perfect spot. Whether you already have a location in mind or are deciding between several options, there are some crucial factors to weigh.

Climate:

Your climate is an important consideration when choosing the type of playground equipment and the best surfacing options for your location. Will your playground face weather challenges like extreme winds or glaring afternoon sun? Will your playground be subject to snow and freezing over winter? All components should be made from a material that is going to be durable and stand up to your unique weather conditions.

Soil and drainage:

Is the site suitable for proper drainage given its soil and slope conditions? Proper drainage is essential to maintain equipment’s integrity, safety, and usefulness and surfacing in playground designs. In order to prevent standing water from causing premature aging and deterioration of surfacing and play equipment, a plan must be put in place to effectively move water out of the area. Failure to do so could result in compromised concrete footings, shortened lifespan of metal components, and the growth of mold and mildew.

It may also diminish the impact attenuation of the surfacing and ultimately render the play area unusable, cutting short the lifespan of your investment. adventureTURF can help you select surfacing options that allow drainage to get the most out of your play area for years to come.

Land features:

Playground planning depends largely on the existing features of the chosen location. Trees and shrubbery can be incorporated into the design, especially for nature-themed playgrounds. Trees also provide natural shade and protection from the sun. Garden areas can attract wildlife and add to the beauty of the play space. However, be mindful of plant life that may attract ticks, wasps or other pests.

Accessibility:

Playgrounds at a public park, school, child care facility or rec center should be enjoyed by children of all abilities. To create an inclusive playground, choose a location that can be easily accessed with a wheelchair and is easy to maneuver with mobility devices. Inclusive playground design includes beveled edges, ground-level play components, and routes for wheelchairs. At adventureTURF, we only work withmaterials that can be installed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

#3 Browse landscape architecture ideas

It’s important that you go into the playground planning and design process with a vision for your outdoor spaces. What is the theme or focus of your playground? Landscape design elements depend on your design philosophy for your play space. Some common playground design ideas include:

  • Inclusive play
  • Outdoor fitness/active play
  • Environment/nature theme
  • Infant/early childhood
  • Educational/outdoor classroom

Deciding on a theme for your playground will help you determine the most appropriate pieces of equipment and furniture for your play space. If you need more playground ideas and a more in-depth landscaping designing guide, check out Playground & Landscape or Landscape Architecture Magazine.

#4 Select the best play equipment for your needs

The theme of your playground will serve as the inspiration for the equipment you select. First, there are a few practical considerations to take into account:

  • How many children will be using the equipment?
  • What age groups will be playing on the playground?
  • Are you aiming for an accessible playground that can accommodate children with physical disabilities?
  • Do you have spatial restraints?

Children go through stages of rapid development, both physically and mentally. Whether you realize it or not, the playground plays a vital role in this development. Aim to select play equipment that fosters different types of play:

  • Social play
  • Imaginative play
  • Solitary play
  • Educational play
  • Physical/active play

The playground is also a great place for children to get much-needed exercise, build muscles, and develop fine and gross motor skills. If your location allows, incorporate open spaces for team sports and other types of active play.

#5 Determine the best materials for your equipment

A critical piece of playground planning is choosing what materials to incorporate. Each type has its pros and cons, and it is important for kids’ safety that their equipment is made from appropriate materials. While you are designing your play space, think about longevity, maintenance, aesthetics, and safety. Some of the popular choices include:

Metal

  • Pros: durable, long-lasting, can be painted to suit any color scheme.
  • Cons: vulnerable to rust, can get dangerously hot in the sun.

Plastic

  • Pros: durable, under all types of weather conditions, low-maintenance, generally safer as it is not prone to rust or splintering
  • Cons: depending on the type of plastic, color can fade and it may not be as sturdy as metal equipment.

Wood

  • Pros: offers a natural look, will not get hot in the sun, can last if properly treated
  • Cons: less durable than metal or plastic, prone to splintering or chipping

Whatever material you choose, make sure that you invest in quality so that generations of kids can enjoy the play space with minimal maintenance.

#6 Choose the right playground surfacing

Choosing the right playground surface is crucial to ensuring the safety of children. The best surfacing for a park may not be the best for a school or daycare. Researching your options and seeking the advice of experts is key. Our playground surfacing experts at adventureTURF can help you identify which type of surface best suits the needs of your specific site and visitors.

Variables to consider when selecting a surface include initial cost, installation cost, long-term durability, maintenance costs, visual appearance, degree of safety, and ADA compliance.

To ensure child safety, it’s important to choose a surface that is soft and thick enough to minimize injury from falls. Other factors such as age range, choking hazards, and design theme should also be taken into account. Maintenance and budget constraints must also be considered. Incorporating multiple types of surfacing may be necessary to fully meet your needs.

Safety surfacing not only improves safety but also accessibility for children with mobility challenges. To comply with ADA regulations, ground cover materials must accommodate all visitors. Take a look at our complete guide to surfacing pro’s and con’s for more information on all of your options.

Create inclusive playgrounds

An inclusive and accessible playground aims to provide all children a fun and safe experience while playing alongside their peers, regardless of their physical abilities. To achieve this, you need to remove any potential barriers that may hinder a child in a wheelchair or other mobility device from accessing playground equipment.

Take wheelchair maneuverability into account during the landscaping design process to create an accessible design for a newly constructed playground. An inclusive playground also includes accessible pieces of play equipment that can be reached from ground height. Other important components include accessible ground routes, firm ramp surfaces, transfer systems, and unitary playground surfacing. adventureTURF is passionate about developing inclusive playgrounds, and we can help you navigate ADA-compliant playground design.

Get on your way to a flawlessly designed playground!

A playground isn’t just for kids! A well-designed playground landscape can serve people of all ages. By integrating landscaping into your playground design, you will not only have a safe and exciting place to play for your kids, but you will also enhance the surrounding community as a whole. Adults can gather to socialize and enjoy the scenery, older children can enjoy recreation activities, all while younger children make good use of the play equipment.

Proper playground planning will ensure you maximize your space and budget, whether your playground is in a confined urban location or a wide-open natural space. Contact our team at adventureTURF to get moving with your playground landscape design project today!

Creating the Perfect Daycare or Preschool Play Space

While you may automatically think of playgrounds as outdoors only, indoor playground installations are projected to grow 9.79% from 2021 to 2028, reaching USD 42.64 Billion.

Indoor playgrounds are a fun way for kids to be active rain or shine, so it’s no wonder they’re growing in popularity. School and daycare play areas provide a controlled and predictable environment for children to play amidst soaring temperatures and unpredictable weather. Additionally, safety is another advantage of indoor playgrounds. With a walled-in environment, there is no risk of children wandering off or getting themselves into dangerous situations.

Indoor Playground Surfacing

Whether you’re looking to create a fun and safe playground inside your school, daycare, or restaurant or are starting an indoor playground business, there are a few essential factors to consider. Before you dive in, here are some points to keep in mind to make the perfect indoor play space for young kids and their families to enjoy for years to come!

Plan Your Playground Layout

A work team replacing rubber tiles with poured rubber playground surfacing

A great playground starts with great planning! Firstly, ensure adequate space for bystanders to sit. Like outdoor play areas, parents and caregivers need a place to observe their children. Leave enough room around the perimeter of the indoor playground for seating, allowing adults a clear line of sight.

Integrating learning with play is another aspect to aim for, especially for preschools and elementary schools. Children naturally learn through play, and by incorporating learning-centric play equipment, you can enhance their educational experiences. For example, sensory panels can be included to stimulate the senses, benefiting all children, especially those on the autism spectrum.

If you work with a larger facility, don’t forget to make room for indoor sports. Incorporating sports equipment, even in a small area, can add a fun and competitive element to the playground. Future athletes can practice their skills while having a blast. Also, as space allows, encourage exercise by adding a walking or jogging path around the playground’s perimeter. Paths provide an additional play option and allow for organized relay races or other fun activities.

Estimating Area and Building Specs

Planning the size and space of an indoor playground requires a thorough analysis of the building. One important aspect to determine is the play capacity needed for your facility. Simply looking at the size of the room or gym is not enough. The number of kids you want to accommodate and the type of play activities you prefer will greatly impact your playground capacity.

The space and layout of your indoor playground are vital considerations in choosing playground equipment for children. Working with professional engineers and architects will ensure your space meets safety and accessibility standards. They can help optimize the layout, spacing, and arrangement of equipment to prevent collisions and injuries.

If you are constructing a new building, structural considerations are important for safety and stability. Work with an engineer to determine load-bearing capacity and choose lightweight yet durable materials. Proper lighting and ventilation are necessary for the comfort and safety of everyone. An engineer can help design an HVAC system and select appropriate lighting. Emergency exits are critical in ensuring a safe evacuation in case of emergencies. Finally, accessibility is important for children with disabilities. Make sure the space is wheelchair-accessible with properly-sized ramps and doorways.

Choose the Right Equipment

Age-appropriate indoor playground equipment is crucial for the safety and development of children. But it’s not just about size – it’s about designing equipment that stimulates kids at every age level. Safety guidelines and each age group’s cognitive and physical abilities should be prioritized when creating an age-appropriate indoor playground.

What challenges a 6-month-old mentally is very different from what challenges a 5-year-old. Safety is also crucial when designing an age-appropriate kids’ indoor playground. The potential fall heights for infants, toddlers, and older kids differ significantly.

Safety Surfacing Materials

At adventureTURF, we prioritize the safety of children playing on playground equipment whether outdoors or indoors. This concern focuses on installing high-quality, impact-absorbing surfacing to create a safe play environment. We offer a range of daycare flooring options, all in compliance with current ASTM International safety guidelines.

When it comes to indoor playgrounds, safety surfaces are a must-have. Our surfacing options are designed to cushion falls and ensure the safety of children playing indoors.

It’s important to note that surfacing requirements may change over time, especially if you’ve had your indoor playground for a while. Additionally, surfacing can wear down with use, so whether you’re designing a new playground or redesigning an old one, it’s crucial to consider and review your surfacing options periodically.

adventureTURF offers several indoor playground flooring solutions to choose from:

Pour-in-Place Rubber Surfacing:

Our durable, low-maintenance option offers your play space’s safest and longest-lasting solution. Also known as “wet pour rubber flooring” or “rubberized playground surfacing,” this seamless surface can be installed during construction or for existing playgrounds.

With pour-in-place rubber, you have endless customization options. Choose the depth, color, shape, and design that suits your needs. Our method allows school colors, logos, games, or geometric shapes to be permanently incorporated into the surface. Not only is it soft and safe, but it also offers a visually appealing and functional design.

Our playground surfaces can be installed in indoor playgrounds, pool decks, parks, schools, daycare centers, recreational centers, military family housing, garage floors, gyms, fitness centers, restaurants, and more!

Modular Tiles:

You may also want to consider our prefabricated rubber mat playground tiles for your indoor play area. These 24″ x 24″ square tiles are incredibly resilient and come in a wide range of colors, allowing you to unleash your creativity. They are perfect for recreational areas, playgrounds, and any space where safety is a top priority.

Our indoor playground flooring mats are made from 100% post-consumer recycled material specifically designed for fall height safety. Maintenance is simple, requiring only basic cleaning with a broom or vacuum. This surfacing option is also ideal for creating ADA-compliant ramps or surfaces. These tiles are perfect for existing locations and allow for easy maintenance or replacement if damaged.

Artificial Turf:

To create a natural outdoor feel, consider adding artificial turf. This enhances the aesthetic appeal and improves safety by reducing slips and providing a cushiony surface.

Some good points of artificial turf: Playground turf maintains a higher face weight, the amount of material used by the square yard, increasing durability and ability to withstand significant wear and tear. When considering artificial turf for your playground area, you can choose various colors, styles, densities, and heights or aim for the most natural appearance and texture. You can also use it both indoors and outdoors. The biggest bonus about synthetic turf is its natural look will bring the feel of the outdoors to your indoor playground. As long as the artificial grass is firm and a wheelchair can easily move around it, you can use synthetic grass for accessible playgrounds and ADA compliance.

Some downsides to remember with artificial turf: The loose rubber granules in the artificial grass can get stuck on clothing, skin, and shoes. They can easily be dragged around the daycare or school and be messy to clean up. These rubber pellets/beads create cushioning and must be replaced/added periodically. Also, static electricity may build on the synthetic turf, and the surfaces may need an anti-static solution. If not installed properly, the rolls of artificial grass can create visible seams, adding a tripping hazard.

No certified manufacturer guarantees artificial grass to last more than eight years. However, you can usually get 10-15 years out of it before it needs to be replaced.

Designing for All

adventureTURF believes in making recreation accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Our mission is to provide inclusive play spaces where all children can enjoy the joys of the playground alongside their peers while prioritizing safety and inclusivity.

Our playground surfacing design and installation ensures safe access to wheelchair-accessible play components. We adhere to ADA standards by using beveled edges in our accessible playgrounds. Whether you’re looking to renovate existing indoor play areas or create a new indoor accessible playground, our professionals at adventureTURF are here to assist you every step of the way.

Safety Considerations for Your Daycare Playground

Safety is just as important for an indoor playground as an outdoor one. The fall height is important to avoid severe injury, even with inside equipment. adventureTURF will assist you in determining the appropriate fall surfacing based on the equipment in your playground. Here are some additional indoor playground safety considerations:

  • Ensure Adequate Space: Create a spacious indoor playground to accommodate the number of children who use your facility. Follow clearance requirements for pieces of playground equipment and leave enough room around each piece.
  • Choose Equipment Wisely: Buy from reputable companies that are committed to safety. Also, different ages require different types of equipment. If you work with a daycare for infants and toddlers, the equipment you choose will be different than an indoor playground for school-aged children.
  • Invest in Safety Surfacing: Opt for pour-in-place rubber surfacing or modular tiles to provide secure footing and reduce risk of injury. Pay extra attention to areas under monkey bars, slides, climbers, and swings.
  • Keep Up With Maintenance: Conduct routine checks for damage or wear and tear on surfacing and equipment and promptly repair any issues. Consult the manuals or manufacturer for guidance.
  • Be Aware of Compliance: Ensure your playground equipment follows ASTM and CPSC guidelines. Some manufacturers may not comply with these standards, so be cautious when purchasing.
  • Watch Out for Slide Safety: Beware of slides that encourage children to go headfirst into ball pools. This can pose serious risks, including head injuries.

Estimating Costs

When budgeting for a play area for your business or school, it’s crucial to understand all the costs involved. Here are the key elements to consider:

PLAY EQUIPMENT: The main component of your budget is the playground equipment itself. This can range from soft play items to interactive high-tech equipment. The quality and size of the equipment will impact the price.

SURFACING: While budgeting for playground equipment is obvious, don’t forget to incorporate the cost of surfacing. Contact adventureUTURF for a free quote on playground surfacing for your project.

TAXES AND SHIPPING: Account for taxes and shipping costs, especially for larger purchases like playground equipment. Some companies may include taxes and/or shipping in their prices, while others may not.

SITE PREPARATIONS: Consider the necessary preparations for your playground, such as renovating indoor play areas.

INSTALLATION: Hiring professionals to install your playground equipment ensures proper installation and brings your vision to life. Some companies may require professional installation for warranty purposes.

Get adventurous indoors with your friends at adventureTurf!

adventureTURF is the leading installer of indoor and outdoor safety and playground surfacing in the United States.

We only use the highest quality rubber surfacing materials. Our experienced staff will guide you in choosing the most suitable rubber flooring for your indoor playground. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality and durability that exceeds your expectations. No matter where you are in the USA, adventureTURF is here to serve you. If you need assistance designing and constructing your indoor playground, contact the playground professionals at adventureTURF. We’ll help you create a safe and enjoyable space for kids to play in the great indoors!

Indoor Playground Safety Surface Poured Rubber

Playground Safety Week 2022: 10 Playground Safety Tips From the Experts (with Infographic)

April 26-30, 2022 is National Playground Safety Week in the United States. As warmer weather and more outside playtime begin, now is a great time to review playground safety and prepare playgrounds and our kids for summer fun!

We asked experts from various organizations for their best playground safety tip. We narrowed down their recommendations to this top 10 list:

Top 10 Playground Safety Tips from Experts

1. Inspect Your Playground

Safety on Playrgounds | adventureTURF Playground Surface Installers

Many common playground injuries can be prevented by first checking the equipment, as well as reporting any hazardous materials in the area. A quick but thorough sweep of the area before daily use could prevent unnecessary accidents.

The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) recommends:

“If you see anything dangerous on the playground such as broken glass or unsafe equipment, make sure to tell an adult [or the person in charge] right away so they can help, and you can get back to playing!

2. Dress for Safety

It is very easy to overheat during physical activity, and then quickly cool down to an uncomfortably cool temperature in brisker weather. Therefore, it is important to ensure your children are dressed appropriately. If they choose to dress lighter because they know they will warm up, have warm clothes or a sweater on hand in cooler weather, and vice versa.

The Playground Professionals suggest:

“Dress appropriately for the weather and prepare for it to change by bringing an extra jacket, blanket or umbrella. Do not let your children wear clothing which can get caught in the playground equipment. Avoid dresses or hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings. These could cause strangulation or other injuries.”

3. Actively SuperviseSafety on Playgrounds | adventureTURF Playground Surfacing

Supervision is not only essential for young children, but for children of all ages. Make certain that not only you, but those you entrust with your children’s care, are properly prepared to supervise and intercede, should a dangerous situation or injury arise.

Peaceful Playgrounds offers this suggestion:

“Train playground supervisors or teachers responsible for keeping kids safe on the playground [in proper playground safety]. As an expert witness in cases involving playground injuries I often find that playground supervisors report receiving little or no training on how to properly supervise the playground.”

4. Maintain Your Playground

Kids enjoy running around, and climbing and having fun. It’s just the way they are. Unfortunately, this also means they occasionally fall. The possibility of injury from falling can be greatly reduced from properly installed surfaces under and around equipment, as well as ensuring that equipment stays up-to-code.

Safe Kids Wisconsin offers this advice:

“When playgrounds are maintained with appropriate surfacing under them, the likelihood of injury decreases when a child falls.”

5. Use the Playground Safety Report CardThree children sitting on playground equipment

With many things running through the minds of parents and guardians as their children play, it is often easy to forget a few seemingly minor safety recommendations. A hard copy checklist is a very helpful way to ensure the playground being utilized is in a safe and well-supervised condition, and can help to prevent many avoidable mistakes.

The National Program for Playground Safety recommends their own checklist version to help with this task:

“This year, we are encouraging parents and grandparents to help keep playgrounds safe by using the Playground Safety Report Card. The report card can be downloaded here.”

6. Check for Safe Playground Surfacing

Some playgrounds, although they may look very fun, may be poorly maintained, or with inadequate surfaces for safe play. No matter how enticing the equipment may be, or how convenient the location, it is always best to avoid these types of playgrounds, due to the unnecessary hazards they could create. Playgrounds with woodchip or concrete surfaces are prime examples of playground surface hazards.

The International Play Association (IPA) recommends:

“Avoid playgrounds with non-impact absorbing surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt or gravel. Ensure that it is safe, ADA accessible surfacing beneath and surrounding playground equipment.”

The IPA also kindly provided a longer list of tips, which can be found here.

7. Avoid Ropes

You may have fond memories of playing with ropes as a child, whether it be rope swings over lakes, rope ladders to treehouses, or rope bridges. As fun as these times may have been, ropes are also inherently dangerous. Ropes often can look stronger than they appear, and a perfectly strong-looking rope can easily fail under excess tension. Factor in the risk of strangulation or cutoff of circulation, and they pose a risk that is not worth taking.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests:

“Never attach ropes, jump ropes, pet leashes or strings to playground equipment; children can strangle on these.”

8. Have the Children Use Age-Appropriate EquipmentPlayground Safety Surface Installers | adventureTURF

Know your children and look out for their well-being. Not every child develops at the same rate—especially when it comes to motor skills and muscle strength. Some children will be ready for different play equipment and different times. Be sure to supervise them and encourage them to stay on appropriate equipment, and be there to help them when they are ready to use equipment new to them.

Safe Kids Worldwide offers this advice:

“Ensure that your children use appropriate playground equipment based on their age and development level. Every child develops differently, so if they want to try the “big kid” swing, the monkey bars or a more challenging piece of equipment and you feel like they’re ready, go for it. Just make sure you’re within arm’s reach to teach and support them, especially until they get the hang of how to use it on their own.”

9. Check Playground Equipment Temperatures

We all remember that scene from A Christmas Story when Flick gets his tongue stuck to a flagpole. Some equipment, particularly metal playground equipment, is easily susceptible to changing temperatures, and can be equally dangerous in hot and cold weather. Check the temperature of this playground equipment during warmer or cooler seasons to be certain they are not posing an unnecessary risk to your children.

The National Safety Council recommends:

“An adult should test the temperature of playground equipment before letting little ones loose. Equipment can quickly become too hot for tiny hands in the hot summer sun.”

10. Practice Safe Falls

While no one likes to think about falls, they are a common occurrence in children of all ages, and can lead to serious injuries. It is important to practice safe falling techniques, such as tuck and roll, or breaking falls with knees and elbows, to help alleviate potential long-term injuries or even concussion.

The International Playground Safety Institute recommends:

“Ask someone like your teacher or physical education teacher to show you how to fall safely. We all need to learn how to land as safely as possible even on a very hard surface. Practicing the tuck and roll techniques in gym class on a padded surface can make the difference from a scrap or bruise to a broken arm or leg to a really serious bump on the head”

Playground Safety Week Bonus Tip: Have Fun!Playground Safety Surface | adventureTURF | National Playground Safety Week

Playground Safety Week isn’t the only time we should learn and practice safe tips. Safety on and around the playground is very important for our kids. Equally as important we want their childhood play to be safe, healthy, and happy. Encourage your kids to get outside and explore your yard, neighborhood, and local playground. Let them enjoy the outdoors, their friends, and your company and attention. Summer is just around the corner, let’s all play have some FUN!

Playground Safety Tips Infographic

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Playground Safety Tips Infographic
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How much does a poured rubber playground cost?

Poured Rubber Playground Surface Cost | Custom Poured Rubber Playground Design
Playground Rubber Surface

Safety surfaces are great for play areas, but what does a poured rubber playground cost in 2022?

That’s the question we’re answering here. First, we’ll look at poured rubber safety surfaces in general by tackling some frequently asked questions about poured rubber playground cost per square foot. Second, we’ll give you an overview of some of the key features to look for when choosing a rubber surface installer. Finally, we’ll tell you how to start planning for your poured rubber playground.

Rubber safety surfaces are popping up all over Schools playgrounds, daycare centers, recreation facilities, and even places like pool decks, dog parks, theme parks, water parks, and senior centers. Rubberized surfaces (also called “wet pour rubber” or “bonded rubber stone”) are popular for good reason—they are durable, low-maintenance, long-lasting, comfortable to walk on (almost a spongy-like surface), and safe (meets critical fall height requirements as described by ASTM F-1292). Most of our customers don’t need convincing that poured rubber surfacing for playgrounds is a better option than wood chips or recycled tire mulch, but what they want to know is how much will it cost?

Poured Rubber Playground Cost (per Square Foot)

What makes poured-in-place rubber playground surfacing (also called rubber playground turf)  and rubber playground tiles an excellent choice for work and play areas of all sizes is the amount of material and depth of the surface can be completely customized. Each project estimate is based on the exact amount of surface material needed for each project, no matter the size. Depending on fall height requirements, color choices (there’s a wide variety of colors to choose from), the condition of the existing surface, location and a few other factors, the cost of your poured rubber surface for playgrounds 1000 sq. ft. or larger can range from $9 to $18 per sq. ft. installed. For smaller playgrounds, the cost per square foot can be more due to the minimum amount of raw material required and can be cost-prohibitive as compared to using rubber playground tiles. Generally, for wet poured rubber flooring, you will want your surface area to be at least 1000 sq. ft. or more. Less for rubber tiles.  

Need a Poured Rubber Playground? We can install it for you (anywhere in the USA).

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Average Rubber Flooring Per Square Foot

Low Cost $9
Average Cost $13
High Cost $18

TIP: Be Careful When Choosing a Rubber Surface Installer

Poured-in-Place (PIP) Rubber Playground Surfacing Installation

When deciding who should install the rubber surfacing (which feels kind of like soft rubber foam granules that are stuck together), you should know that a good poured in place surface installer will work with you early in your planning stages to help you determine things like the following details:

  • What materials will work best for your specific play area or safety flooring area (ex. is recycled rubber, okay to use?)
  • What safety features and fall heights (including any ADA requirements) you will need to adhere to.
  • What kind of budget you’ll need to plan for.
  • How to save money on the project.

We recognize that every playground or safety surfacing project we do ultimately comes down to cost for our customers. At adventureTURF, we want you to have the best and safest poured rubber play surface—one that fits with your budget. So, even if you are in the early stages of researching playground surfacing options, contact us. We’re happy to help with ideas, give you options to consider, help you figure out prices, and even help design the best-poured rubber surface for your exact situation.

Planning For Your Poured Rubber Playground

Designing the optimal poured rubber playground surfacing for a property is something that takes careful planning by a team of experts, There are playgrounds designed for aesthetics, and playgrounds designed for fun. In some cases, there are playgrounds designed from a legal standpoint and still others that place a heavy emphasis on safety. AdventureTURF’s team of playground designers can assist you with all of your rubber surface option needs.

If you aren’t sure about what kind of surface (ground cover/play matting) you would like to use for your commercial playground flooring, you may be interested in reading more about Playground Safety, Wood chips, and Proper Playground Maintenance. Poured-in-place rubber is a soft playground surface, yet it’s long-lasting (so you get your money’s worth).

If you are further along in your planning stages and need a free quote for your playground surfacing or other safety surface project, great! We can help with that too.

Use our handy Get a Quote form to tell us about your project and we’ll put together a quote just for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on fall height requirements, color choices (there’s a wide variety of colors to choose from), the condition of the existing surface, location and a few other factors, the cost of your poured rubber surface for playgrounds 1000 sq. ft. or larger can range from $9 to $18 per sq. ft. installed.

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The cost per square foot can be less than poured rubber flooring due to premade cuts of rubber playground tiles.

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Poured rubber flooring and rubber playground tiles are the safest surface for children and adults alike. Beyond durability, and consistency, rubber flooring ensures that falls end up on a forgiving, shock-absorbent surface. Each poured rubber flooring installation is built to safely handle maximum fall height possible at the site without serious injury.

They are durable and will not change their shape or size when they get wet. You don’t need to be concerned about how thick they become because they remain thin enough for children to play safely without any issues. Rubber makes an ideal durable, resilient surface suitable for running and playing but soft enough to cushion against falls.

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing and Flooring Materials?

The world of playground surfacing options can be vast and complex. You want playground surfacing that does it all: meets safety requirements, fits your budget, and requires low maintenance. Plus, your playground project has its own unique needs and priorities. The question remains: what flooring material is suitable for your playground project? We’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces.

  1. Pavement
  2. Pea Gravel
  3. Sand
  4. Natural Grass and Soil
  5. Artificial Grass
  6. Bonded Rubber Mulch
  7. Rubber Mulch
  8. Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)
  9. Wood Chips
  10. Poured Rubber Surfacing
  11. Rubber Tiles

1. Pavement

Pavement Pros and Cons

Pros: The best part about concrete and asphalt pavement surfaces are that they are American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant for ramps and flooring. It is cheaper than other surfacing options and can last 30-50 years without being entirely replaced. While you can DIY a pavement surface installation, it’s best to leave this project to the professionals.

Cons: A significant factor in hard pavement surfaces is the complete lack of shock absorbency, which doesn’t meet American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM) guidelines for fall height. Extra details and stains add to its cost, but pavement can get expensive to repair. Expect costly and complicated repairs of frequent cracks and splits caused by fluctuations in temperatures.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Pavement >>>

2. Pea Gravel

Pea Gravel Pros and Cons

Pros: At depths of nine inches, pea gravel can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall from playground equipment and meets ASTM standards for impact attenuation. This relatively low-cost loose-fill material is easy to install by yourself and relatively easy to rake stones back into place.

Cons: Unfortunately, pea gravel only protects falls from up to five feet. Plus, it doesn’t meet ADA safety standards due to its constant shifting underfoot. Did we mention pea gravel is high maintenance, requiring endless raking as kids play on the surface? You will need to replace this non-shock absorbing surface almost every few years as it breaks down into stone dust.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Pea Gravel >>>

3. Sand

Sand Pros and Cons

Pros: Decades of use in playgrounds designate sand as an appropriate playground surface by ASTM when spread 9 inches deep for a fall height of 4 feet. Sand is one of the cheapest playground surfacing options out there, and it’s easy to find and install. Better yet, it doesn’t support microbial growth. Be sure to buy sand graded for use in playgrounds as it’s rounded to smooth out any large, sharp particles.

Cons: Despite its ubiquity in playgrounds, sand has limited impact absorption and compacts to create an unsafe solid surface over time. Sand doesn’t meet ADA accessibility standards. It’s challenging for wheelchairs or disabled folks to navigate. Let’s not forget about the likelihood of finding animal waste, insects, or weeds in the sand, or, even worse, asbestos and silica in the sand. Not only do you need more sand to achieve a 12-inch depth for a six-foot fall zone, but you also need to replace 25% every year and commit to weekly rankings to keep it safe. 

Learn More about the pros and cons of Sand >>>

4. Natural Grass and Soil

Natrual Grass Pros and Cons

Pros: Using natural grass and soil for a playground surface can be aesthetically pleasing and bring natural benefits. The low temperature of natural grass reduces heat island effects. Its root system filters out harmful pollutants before they enter local groundwater systems. Natural grass is also cheap to repair or fill in bare spots.

Cons: The downside to grass? It won’t be green for long. It quickly wears, especially in extreme weather, creating unsafe muddy or uneven bare spots. Speaking of risk, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM report natural grass and dirt as an inappropriate surfacing for playgrounds. In addition, its high-friction surface makes it difficult for wheelchairs to navigate. While inexpensive to install, the cost of natural grass maintenance can quickly add up. It requires expensive irrigation systems and daily maintenance like blowing leaves, mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and more.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Natural Grass and Soil >>>

5. Artificial Grass

Artificial Grass Pros and Cons

Pros: Artificial grass or synthetic turf achieves a high level of protection and shock absorption compared to natural grass. When installed with proper padding and infill, it becomes ADA compliant and meets ASTM standards. Plus, artificial grass looks natural and comes in various colors and styles. It has both a low lifetime cost and is highly durable.

Cons: A disadvantage to artificial grass is the need for additional padding or underlayment. It can also be very costly to install due to materials, essential ground preparation, irrigation needs, and professional installation requirements. Artificial grass also requires weekly maintenance to avoid dust, sand, and leaves. 

Learn More about the pros and cons of Artificial Grass >>>

6. Bonded Rubber Mulch

Bonded Rubber Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros: The unitary surface of bonded rubber mulch makes it relatively safe and accessible according to ASTM standards, protecting kids from a 10-foot fall if using 6 inches of materials. While its moderate cost can vary based on project scope, bonded rubber mulch is quick and easy to install for professionals. It is made from safe materials free of chemicals and is available in a variety of colors.

Cons: Pieces of the bonded rubber mulch can become loose or unbonded, creating safety issues and degrading the material. The material lasts ten years but requires intermittent patching and maintenance to meet safety guidelines and significant site preparation. Expect to go without stenciled games or designs if you opt for bonded rubber mulch.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Bonded Rubber Mulch >>>

7. Rubber Mulch

Rubber Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros: When you correctly install rubber mulch, you can meet acceptable ASTM safety standards. Rubber mulch is one of the safer playground surfaces. It gets extra points for its low-mid price range, ease of installation, and inability to decompose like natural wood mulch. 

Cons: While rubber mulch is a safe surface, it can be difficult for those using a wheelchair or walker to get around. Rubber tire mulch requires frequent inspection. It’s easy for sharp objects, litter, or debris to get buried in the mulch. Plus, rubber mulch requires near-constant replenishment because it is easily washed away or kicked out from frequent activity.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Rubber Mulch >>>

8. Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)

Pros: The popular surfacing option of engineered wood fiber mulch meets the basic accessibility standards of the ADA. In addition, if tested to ASTM F1292 standards, CPSC names it an appropriate surfacing type. EWF is cheap to install and doesn’t easily splinter like wood chips.

Cons: EWF may be popular, but it does have downsides. For children to safely land from a 10-foot fall, you’ll need a lot of it, a layer of EWF that is 9 inches deep, to be exact. While disabled people can move around on the surface, it’s not navigable with ease. EWF also requires significant maintenance, much like other loose-fill materials, as it wears away or gets kicked around.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Engineered Wood Fiber >>>

9. Wood Chips

Engineered Wood Fiber Pros and Cons

Pros: When it comes to loose-fill surfacing options, wood chips are visually pleasing and cheaper at $3 per square foot and have a degree of shock absorbency. According to ASTM, wood chips meet the critical fall height requirement. Safe landings can be made from 10 feet when using a 9-inch layer of wood chips.

Cons: CPSC calls wood chip mulch an inappropriate surfacing type. Plus, it doesn’t meet ADA requirements for surfaces. Much like other loose-fill materials, it requires much upkeep to prevent severe injuries and keep it looking nice. Watch out for hazards like glass, insects, mold, or splinters if you decide to use wood chips.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Wood Chips >>>

10. Poured Rubber Surfacing

Pured Rubber Surfacing Pros and Cons

Pros: Want safe and accessible play for those with physical limitations? Poured rubber surfacing passes both ADA compliance and ASTM standards with flying colors. Made from natural materials and easily customized with color and designs, poured rubber surfacing is durable, soft, and can’t splinter. It can last up to 15 years with regular maintenance, coatings, or a new top layer in high-traffic areas.

Cons: In extremely dry or cold climates, poured rubber surfacing can become hard over time. Every few years, you’ll need to ensure you top it off with a fresh layer, which is a relatively simple process. In comparison, it’s not the cheapest playground surfacing option. However, the longevity of the material and its minimal maintenance create a low lifetime cost.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Poured Rubber Surfacing >>>

11. Rubber Tiles

Rubber Tiles Pros and Cons

Pros: If you’re planning an inclusive playground, rubber tiles are ADA compliant and meet ASTM standards. With rubber tiles, you’ll also enjoy low maintenance and low lifetime cost. Thanks to an interlocking system that creates smooth seams, you can easily swap old tiles and install new ones. Rubber tiles come in various colors and boast a porous surface, giving them excellent non-slip qualities in wet environments.

Cons: While the upfront costs are higher, in the long run, rubber tiles are a cheaper option when it comes to low maintenance, especially when you compare them to loose-fill surfacing options. Be sure to hire a professional with the right tools and experience to avoid unnecessary tripping hazards.

Learn More about the pros and cons of Rubber Tiles >>>

Choose The Right Playground Surfacing Material

Each playground project has its priorities, making the playground surface options unique to each project. However, now that you have a better understanding of all the playground surface options available, you can make an educated decision. Contact adventureTURF today for high-quality rubber surfacing material crafted to keep your playground safe, fun, and comfortable for everyone.

Pros & Cons: Pavement (Asphalt/Cement) for Playground Surfacing

Are you considering pavement as a playground surfacing option? Playgrounds are designed to be safe and fun for children to play on, and a significant factor in a playground’s safety is the surface you build it on. Of course, you need a stable surface to support the play structures, but does that mean you can use concrete or asphalt for your outdoor playground’s flooring?

Read on for everything you need to know about blacktop and cement playgrounds.

What is Pavement for Playground Flooring?

Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel
Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel.

Pavement is a common term for outdoor flooring that is often used interchangeably with asphalt or concrete. Asphalt is a mixture of dark bituminous pitch and sand or gravel. Concrete is a material made from a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water spread or poured to form a stone-like mass.

Sometimes stones like flagstone or cobblestone, bricks, tiles, or concrete pavers are used as pavement. You can easily stencil games, shapes, or logos on this type of surface, adding to its versatility. Often you’ll find pavement used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios, courtyards, and sometimes playgrounds.

Safety of Pavement as a Playground Surface

Pros:

  • While concrete and asphalt playground pavement surfaces are ADA compliant for ramps and flooring, it might be better to use them sparingly under structures.
  • If you’re determined to use playground pavement, opt for a playspace with a tactical experience, adding textures like rumble strips or undulations to concrete or asphalt surfaces.
  • Children with special needs, in particular, can benefit from play that stimulates their sense of touch.
Concrete does not meet ASTM standards for fall height for playground flooring.
Concrete does not meet ASTM standards for fall height for playground flooring.

Cons:

  • Concrete has almost no shock absorbency, nor does it meet ASTM standards for fall height. Without these critical safety endorsements, concrete is unsafe for use directly under play structures.
  • The bottom line is you don’t want kids falling from tall playground equipment onto a hard surface like concrete or asphalt pavement. A severe head injury can occur due to a fall from the equipment.
  • Wear and weather can also create cracks in the surface, possibly causing a child to trip and fall. Using this type of surfacing is dangerous.

Cost of Pavement for Playground Flooring

Pros:

  • Asphalt or concrete pavement for playground surfaces is significantly cheaper than other surfacing options.
  • Asphalt can cost $2 to $4 per square foot, although these prices fluctuate with crude oil prices. Concrete can cost $4 to $6 per square foot.
Pavement on playground surface with cracks
The average cost of pavement can increase price up to $15 per square foot.

Cons:

  • If you’re looking for additional finishes, details, and stains, the cost of pavement can increase price up to $15 per square foot, costing nearly $30,000 to install a 2,000 square foot playground surface.
  • Concrete crack repairs are complicated and much pricier than asphalt, although it’s near impossible to resurface concrete.
  • Concrete slab repairs alone can cost $50 for a small crack and up to $500 to $800 to mudjack or raise and stabilize sinking or cracked uneven surface.
  • A sealing coat for asphalt can cost $.14 to $.25 per square foot, costing about $280 to $500 for a 2,000 square foot playground. Sealing asphalt should be done every three to five years.
  • Generally, it costs $1 to $3 per linear for filling small cracks in asphalt. The repair cost can range between $100 to $125, but it depends on the severity of the damages and the labor required.

Quality and maintenance of Pavement for Playground Surfacing

Pros:

  • Concrete is more durable than asphalt pavement, offering up to 50 years of use, whereas asphalt offers about 30 years of service.
  • As for maintenance, concrete requires occasional degreasing. However, if installed correctly with proper site preparation, you shouldn’t have issues with drainage.
Four square painting on pavement surface
Concrete is more durable than asphalt pavement, however repairs are harder and pricier than asphalt repairs

Cons:

  • While concrete is more durable, concrete repairs are harder and pricier than asphalt repairs.
  • Asphalt will need occasional resurfacing and resealing every five years, but you can avoid expensive repairs with proper maintenance.
  • Over time, concrete and asphalt surfaces can crack or split, causing tripping hazards. These cracks or splits become a haven for weeds. It would be best if you patched the gaps in the surface as soon as possible to extend the life of the paved area.
  • Concrete can crack from constant freezing and thawing in cold weather, while rock salt will eat away at the asphalt.
  • Hot temperatures can create a mess with asphalt, causing it to soften, stick to shoes, clothing, and wheelchair tires.

Installation of Pavement Playground Surfacing

Pros:

  • It’s easy to find concrete material at your local home improvement store. However, it’s best to hire professionals to do the work with a big job like this.
Concrete pavement surfacing installation
It’s best to hire professionals for concrete pavement surfacing installation

Cons:

  • Leave asphalt and concrete pavement surfacing to the professionals. There’s too much that can go wrong, and it’s well worth working with a team of professionals to tackle this type of playground surfacing.
  • Asphalt and concrete pavement require similar site prep as other surfacing options: demolition and removal of existing surface and then grading and sloping for drainage.
  • The installation process for both surfacing options can get tricky.
  • With asphalt, you need an additional compacted sub-base to serve as a frost barrier and provide durability. Next, you lay a binder layer mixed with oil.
  • Finally, the asphalt is added and later rolled smooth. For concrete pavement, you’ll need ready-mixed concrete via truck for such a big job. Suppose you don’t correctly install and grade the base surface. In that case, you could have to demo the entire surface in a year after it cracks and begins the process over again.

Alternatives to Concrete for Playground

If you’re planning your playground flooring, our professionals are ready to get the job done right and with suitable surfacing. So why not try something safe like poured-in-place rubber surfacing material?

Soon enough, kids will safely enjoy a new or improved playground at school or a public park. Contact adventureTURF today for high-quality rubber surfacing material crafted to keep your playground safe, fun, and comfortable for everyone.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

FAQ

Asphalt can cost $2 to $4 per square foot, although these prices fluctuate with crude oil prices. Concrete can cost $4 to $6 per square foot.

Learn More

Often you’ll find pavement used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios, courtyards, and sometimes playgrounds.

Learn More

Asphalt and concrete pavement require similar site prep as other surfacing options: demolition and removal of existing surface and then grading and sloping for drainage.

Learn More

Pros & Cons: Using Pea Gravel for Playground Surfacing

Are you considering pea gravel as a playground surfacing option? When constructing a playground, you often need to make many decisions. For example, there are infinite playground surfacing options. How do you know which one is right for you? You want your playground surface to be safe, effective, withstand regular use, and not break the bank.

You’ve likely seen pea gravel used in playground surfaces and wondered if it might be an option. Here, we broke down the pros and cons of pea gravel, so you don’t have to go searching the annals of the web to find the information you need to make a decision.

What is pea gravel?

pea gravel close up image
Pea gravel is a versatile hardscaping material, but should pea gravel be used for playgrounds?

Pea gravel consists of small stones, typically found near water, and has a smooth surface due to weathering. The round stones are the size of peas, ranging from ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch. Depending on the rock source, pea stone gravel comes in all kinds of natural colors like rust-brown, shades of gray, white, and even translucent.

It’s an eco-friendly, raw material landscape fabric, so it doesn’t bring any synthetic chemicals or dyes to the playground. You’ll find this versatile hardscaping material covering driveways, water drains, paths, patios, filling spaces between pavers, and even in playgrounds.

Safety of Pea Gravel as a Playground Surface

Pros:

  • Believe it or not, pea gravel, at depths of nine inches deep, can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall. But that’s where the safety advantages of pea gravel surfaces end.

Cons:

Pea gravel as playground flooring with slide
While pea gravel meets ASTM standards, it has to be at least 9 inches deep to protect a 5 foot fall.
  • While pea gravel is tested and meets ASTM standards for impact attenuation, it can only protect up to five feet at a nine-inch depth.
  • It can be problematic when using high-height playground equipment.
  • Plus, falling on the stone doesn’t exactly have much appeal.
  • Pea gravel also readily shifts underfoot, making it hard for wheelchairs and folks with limited mobility to navigate.
  • Since it doesn’t meet the basic ADA safety standards, commercial and public playground spaces are out. You may want to leave this surface to private playgrounds and backyards.
  • If your playground is for toddlers, you may also want to avoid pea gravel. Children tend to put small pea stones in their mouths.
  • Over time, the gravel rock will naturally compress (at least 25%) under its constant use.
  • It becomes hard and creates a non-shock absorbing surface that can make injuries more common.

Cost of Pea Gravel as Playground Flooring

Pros:

Pea gravel for a playground surface
While pea gravel is relatively low-cost, it will have to be replaced every few years.
  • Pea gravel is a relatively low-cost loose-fill material.
  • The material alone typically costs $30 to $50 per ton, costing you about $3,000-5,000 to fill a 2,500 square foot area with a minimum 9-inch depth.
  • While you can do it yourself, it may cost more as you need to add in the cost of a header or edging and crushed rock for the base layer.
  • In comparison, contractors often have access to manufacturer discounts, and their work often comes with a guarantee.

Cons:

  • While the costs of pea gravel material are low, when you’re replacing it every few years and keeping it maintained, those costs can start to add up.

Quality and Maintenance of Pea Gravel as a Playground Surface

Pros:

Pea gravel mound for playgrounds
While pea gravel can prevent water build up and prevent weeds, depending on the weather it can become quite hard as well as form “stone dust” when breaking it apart.
  • Pea gravel suppresses unwanted weed growth, retains moisture, and doesn’t decompose like grass or mulch.
  • It prevents rainwater buildup thanks to its adequate drainage.
  • Plus, pea gravel keeps burrowing rodents at bay, and other animals tend to leave it alone.
  • You can easily maintain pea gravel by raking stones into place, but the frequency of maintenance is another story.

Cons:

  • On the other hand, pea gravel tends to travel unless you contain it with edging material.
  • It will need to be inspected on an ongoing basis and refilled every four years.
  • If your location experiences cold winters, the cold can make the gravel quite hard, impacting its safety.
  • Snow removal will likely be one of the more significant challenges.
  • It’s hard to avoid disturbing the gravel when shoveling.
  • You’ll need to shovel most of the snow and then leave a thin layer behind, melting the rest with salt.
  • Another factor due to the changing seasons is pea gravel’s tendency to break down into smaller particles.
  • It forms a “stone dust” that creates a hardpan of compacted stone, typically in high-use areas, that becomes dangerous and difficult to break apart.

Installation of Pea Gravel for Playground Flooring

Pros:

Pea gravel on playground floor with toy crane
Due to pea gravels compression, it makes it fairly high maintenance and will need to be reinstalled repeatedly.
  • Great news! Installing pea gravel is relatively easy. You can undoubtedly find it at your favorite hardware store.
  • Work the surface roughly six inches down and install at least three to six inches base layer of coarse base rock or crushed rock to prepare your site.
  • Then, cover with at least a nine-inch layer of pea gravel to meet ASTM’s minimum fill depth standards.

Cons:

  • The downside to pea gravel’s compression and high maintenance is you’ll likely be repeating the installation phase more often than you’d like.

Alternatives to Pea Gravel for Playgrounds

When it comes to ensuring the safety of the children on your playground, surfacing should rank as a top priority. You want a surface with a comfortable, soft cushion to walk on and, when installed correctly, should be compliant with ADA standards for handicap accessible areas.

Where pea gravel may be a let down in some of these respects, poured-in-place playground surfacing excels. Contact adventureTURF today for premium poured-in-place surfacing made to keep your playground safe, fun, and enjoyable for every child.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pea gravel is a relatively low-cost loose-fill material, costing you about $3,000-5,000. The initial investment in pea gravel might be low, but you’ll have to deal with maintenance costs.

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A layer of pea gravel, which is nine inches deep, can sufficiently reduce the impact of a fall. However, because it doesn’t meet the ADA safety standards, commercial and public playground spaces are out.

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Pea gravel is a very versatile hardscaping material. It’s often used for covering driveways, water drains, paths, patios, and filling spaces between pavers.

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To install pea gravel as a surface material, work the surface roughly six inches down and install at least three to six inches base layer of coarse base rock or crushed rock.

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Pros & Cons: Using Sand as a Playground Surface

Sand has been a universal element in playgrounds and parks for decades. There are many exciting activities people associate with sand, from constructing sandcastles to leaping around with friends. In recent years, the safety of sand as a playground surface has been called into question. Is sand a really safe option for a playground? Can you use other surface options in place of sand? While we prefer poured-in-place rubber for playgrounds or rubber playground tiles, we still want to provide you with all the information you need to make a decision. We prepared a thorough review of sand for playground surfaces, examining the pros and the cons.

Playground Sand

Sand playgrounds may bring back memories, but should sand be used for playgrounds?

Playground sand brings a natural esthetic often associated with fond childhood memories. It’s smooth and soft to the touch. We all have a general sense of what sand is (a loose granular substance or sediment, generally pale yellow or brown). It’s typically produced by the erosion or weathering of rocks and minerals. The composition of sand can vary based on local rock sources and conditions, making a range of colors like pale yellow, brown, white, black, green, and even pink. Commonly found blanketing beaches, riverbeds, deserts, and playgrounds, not all sand should be used as playground sand (read on to learn more).

Safety and Accessibility of Sand as a Playground Surface

Pros:

  • Sand is deemed an appropriate surface for playgrounds by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) if you have enough depth. How deep does the sand need to be? It really comes down to fall height requirements and the thickness of the sand. CPSC says that sand should be 9 inches deep for a fall height of 4 feet.
  • With safety in mind, manufacturers of playground sand submit the sand to various measures to protect children’s welfare. First, they wash the playground sand to remove unwanted debris, bacteria, or other minerals.
  • The sand is also water pressurized to round out and smoothen any larger, sharp particles. Then it’s submitted to a sieve analysis to evaluate and assess particle size distribution.
  • Sand doesn’t easily support microbial growth, making one less thing to worry about.
Playground Sand Safety
Playground sand has to be deep enough in order to cushion falls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that sand should be 9 inches deep for a fall height of 4 feet.

Cons:

  • Sand is one of the less effective materials regarding impact absorption.
  • You’ll need more of it to achieve safety requirements. To ensure sand offers proper fall protection for children, the National Safety Council (NSC) recommends maintaining a 12-inch depth in areas where equipment requires a six-foot drop or fall zone. The NSC and CPSC (as mentioned above) requires a 9-inch depth in areas with a four-foot fall height. That’s a lot of sand.
  • Sand also doesn’t meet the Americans with Disabilities Act’s accessibility standards, so you can’t use sand to have an ADA playground.
  • It can be difficult for people with disabilities to navigate, particularly wheelchairs.
  • One of the biggest dangers of sand if you’re not careful about what type of sand you choose for your playground is the possible presence of asbestos and silica. Silica can cause asthma and inflammation of the lungs, where asbestos fibers can cause cancer. The play sand you select should be thoroughly tested by manufacturers. According to the Healthy Schools Network, “The sand used in children’s playground sand boxes may not be natural beach or river sand. Many times play sand is made of crushed rock or crystalline silica. The silica is made from quartz stone and is a known carcinogen. Tremolite, a form of asbestos, another recognized carcinogen, can also be found in some brands of play sand. Dust from play sand can contain these hazardous substances, and weathering and repeated use will lead to further separation of the fibers, producing more asbestos dust.” (as stated in this PDF).

Cost of Sand as Playground Flooring

Sand is a relatively inexpensive option up front, however it does require ongoing replacement and refill costs.

Pros:

  • Sand is one of the cheapest options for playground surfaces.
  • Sand typically costs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot and you can usually find bulk play sand available at a local hardware store or landscaping company.
  • At $2.00 per square foot, a 2,500 square foot playground could cost about $5,000 for sand.
  • Hiring a professional installer will be an added cost, but it should take less than a full day to install the sand. While you can opt to install it yourself, you don’t get the work guarantee that comes with a pro.

Cons:

  • The lifetime cost of sand can start to add up.
  • You’ll need to replace the sand once a year, especially in high-traffic areas.
  • If you want to keep your playground sand clean and play-ready, expect to pay to refill at least 25% of the sand each year, or about $1,250 or more for a 2,500 square foot playground.

Quality and Maintenance of Sand as a Playground Surface

Foreign objects, weeds, bugs, and other misc sharp objects can make sand difficult to maintain for playgrounds.

Pros:

  • Unfortunately, when it comes to outdoor playground flooring, the quality and maintenance of sand don’t contain very many positives other than to say that it can be cheap to replace.

Cons:

  • Sand can be pretty challenging to maintain.
  • It attracts animal waste and insects.
  • Grass and weeds can start growing through it, especially on less-used areas of the playground.
  • Sand is also messy and easily tracked indoors on clothes, hair, and shoes.
  • You should replace the sand every year or more frequently if necessary.
  • As kids play in the sand, it can move around significantly, meaning you need to smooth it out on a regular basis.
  • Plus, you never know when you’re going to find something harmful buried in the sand. Therefore, you should rake the sand weekly into a level uniform surface at a depth of 12 inches and inspect it for (and remove) foreign objects like rocks and twigs.
  • If the area you live in is often dry or windy, you may want to rethink sand. Nobody enjoys dust and sand particles blowing in their eyes.
  • In cold or wet weather, sand tends to compact into an unsafe, more solid surface.
  • Not all playground sand is created equal. Particular sand can contain harmful materials, making it extremely important to select sand explicitly made for playgrounds.

Installation Sand for Playground Flooring

To keep sand in your playground area, you’ll need a fixed border installed.

Pros:

  • One significant positive to sand is that it’s relatively easy to install.
  • You can easily find sand at your local hardware store. Look for Minus 30 play sand, as it’s thoroughly tested and rated for safety.
  • When it comes to site prep sand is one of the more straightforward surfacing options to install.
  • As with most playground installations, ensure the area is level and even, free from rocks and debris, and deep enough to accommodate the fall depth, at least 12 inches in the case of sand.
  • As with most loose-fill surfacing options, you’ll need a retention area or fixed border to keep the sand in place.
  • A sub-grade of about 3 inches of loose-fill pea gravel may also be necessary for drainage.

Cons:

  • Wash plaster sand, commonly used in mason projects, maybe okay for private school or residential playgrounds with minor usage. However, it’s not the best option for a heavily used playground.

Alternatives to Sand for Playgrounds

Playground flooring is an important factor for children’s safety when playing on the equipment, making surfacing material one of the most crucial playground construction factors. While sand might be right for your new or existing playground, it’s not the only surfacing option out there. Consider poured-in-place rubber surfacing or rubber playground tiles for a comfortable, soft cushion for playing and an ADA-compliant option for your playground.

Contact adventureTURF today for premium poured-in-place surfacing designed made to keep your playground safe, fun, and enjoyable for all.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sand typically costs $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot. At $2.00 per square foot, a 2,500 square foot playground could cost about $5,000 for sand. See more pricing details here.

Sand is deemed an appropriate surface for playgrounds by the American Society of Testing and Materials if you layer the sand to a depth of about 12 inches however, there are various pros and cons of sand safety. To ensure sand offers proper fall protection for children, the National Safety Council (NSC) recommends maintaining a 12-inch depth in areas where equipment requires a six-foot drop or fall zone.

Sometimes they do, but it’s typically not recommended. Why? Because sand is a loose granular substance, it can be dusty and get all over kids clothes. Not all playground sand is created equal. Why? Because sand is produced by the erosion or weathering of rocks and minerals, the composition of sand can vary based on local rock sources and conditions. That means both the texture (how rough or smooth the sand is) and color can vary. For example, you can find sand in a range of colors like pale yellow, brown, white, black, green, and even pink. Should you use it for your playground? See some pros and cons here.

The lifespan of sand as a surface option is fairly short due to numerous maintenance needs. You should replace the sand every year or, depending on the amount of use and weather conditions, more frequently. You should rake the sand weekly into a level uniform surface at a depth of 12 inches and frequently inspect it for (and remove) foreign objects like rocks and twigs.

Pros & Cons: Natural Grass or Dirt for Playground Surfaces

Should You Choose Natural Surface for Your Playground?

It may seem like the ground surface options for your playground area are endless, with options ranging from natural grass and dirt to poured-in place (PIP) rubber. Each option has its own maintenance needs, expected longevity, accessibility ratings, and installation requirements. Naturally, we think your best option is poured-in-place surfacing. Still, we also place great value in making a well-informed decision. That’s why we created this thorough review of natural grass, examining the pros and the cons.

Natural Grass Playground Surface
Natural Grass Playground Surface

Natural Grass or Dirt for Playground Surfacing

Note that in this post, we’re not talking about artificial grass for playgrounds. Natural grass (example: rolls of sod) and playground dirt are exactly what you imagine them to be. Now you might be wondering why someone would use grass for a playground or dirt. Sometimes it comes down to cost or whether it’s for a backyard or school playground.

What type of grass is used for playgrounds? In addition to artificial grass, two of the most popular options are spreading grass seed or using pre-grown sod (it’s grown by farmers and then cut in rows and sold as rolls of sod). Other than parking lots/driveways, most space around buildings is already made up of natural grass, so the easiest option is to not care about playground ground cover at all. But is that the best option?

Safety and Accessibility of Natural Grass for Playgrounds

Pros:

  • Using natural grass and dirt has a significant benefit of cooler and softer surfaces. Natural grass reduces heat island effects in urban and suburban areas, which some other playground surface types can cause.
  • Certain artificial surfaces can reach temperatures 50-60 degrees above natural grass. Its lower temperatures lead to less risk of skin burns or other injuries often associated with harder, chemical-based playing surfaces.
  • Playground ground surfaces with natural turf or grass can also serve as a buffer to their communities. The grass can act as a filter to trap harmful pollutants in its dense root system and capture contaminants before they end up in groundwater systems.
natural grass and dirt below playground swings
Natural grass can quickly turn into worn-out dirt, which turns to mud.

Cons:

  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that dirt and grass are “inappropriate surfacing” types for playgrounds.
  • While grass looks nice at first, it quickly becomes worn out and can have uneven spots, increasing the risk of tripping.
  • Natural grass may be soft enough for a picnic, but it’s not ideal for landing when you jump from a swing. Playground grass doesn’t provide as much impact absorption compared to other surfaces, meaning children can get seriously injured if they fall. You can’t manipulate the thickness or add underlayment to meet fall height safety regulations with natural grass.
  • Takes longer to dry than most artificial surfaces. The kiddos will have to wait until the puddled water dries up before playing.
  • ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials, has even considered marking natural grass as unsafe for playgrounds.
  • Some studies state well-maintained grass with about six inches of subsoil may be a suitable surface for falls up to six feet. However, dry or freezing weather will make the surface significantly harder, negatively affecting the impact level.
  • Playground grass also isn’t easy on wheelchairs, unlike other surfaces such as playground rubber tiles. The high friction surface of grass requires a lot of effort to push, making it less than ideal for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, accessible playground.
  • It’s also prone to pests and can be a haven for allergy-causing weeds and bacterial buildup.

Cost of Natural Grass for Playground Flooring

Pros:

  • The best part about natural grass is that it won’t cost much to repair. As long as you replace grass in smaller patches, it’ll cost $0.50 per square foot for seed or $2 per square foot for sod (though to get that price for sod, you’ll likely have to buy more than 1 square foot).
  • If you need to replace the whole playground area, check out the installation’s total cost below. Your playground grass can also earn you LEED points for heat island reduction.
Cost of Natural Grass & Playground Dirt
Keep in mind that you need to look at the ongoing maintenance cost, in addition to the initial installation cost of natural grass/playground dirt.

Cons:

  • Before you install your grass, you’ll need to consider irrigation. An irrigation system or sprinkler system can cost an average of $2 per square foot, equating to $2,000 for 1,000 square feet of grass.
  • While easier to install since sod is pre-grown, the sod comes with a higher price tag, starting at $3.50 per square foot with a professional installer. A 1,000 square foot residential playground grass area with sod installation could cost $3,500 or $5,500 with irrigation.
  • In comparison, a commercial playground area of 5,000 square feet with natural grass or sod could cost $17,500 or $27,000 with irrigation. The more affordable option of seeding natural grass will cost about $0.05 per square foot if you do it yourself, or $50 for a 1,000 square foot area.
  • You’ll need to thoroughly water the seed for the first eight weeks for it to grow correctly, creating an additional cost for irrigation.

Quality and Maintenance of Grass Playground Surfaces

Pros:

  • Natural grass is very heat tolerant, with it often 50 to 60 degrees cooler than surrounding artificial surfaces.
  • It initially looks very aesthetically-pleasing.
  • When it comes to repairing problem areas in your playground grass, in most cases, you can fill in bare spots with seed, or in the case of St. Augustine grass, you can add sod or plugs.
  • There may be more benefits to natural grass and soil in the future due to ongoing research to create improved grass types, called cultivars, for playgrounds and public parks.
Browning spots on natural grass surface
Natural grass stays cooler in the sun, but weather conditions can often damage its lifespan.

Cons:

  • Natural grass is one of the highest maintenance options when it comes to playground surfaces. Expect to blow or rake leaves off the grass in the fall and mow the grass weekly.
  • Other maintenance tasks may include: mowing, edging, fertilizing, weeding, watering, and more. If you’re using playground dirt, you’ll have to refill it quite often compared to some other playground surface types (like poured rubber surfacing or rubber tiles).
  • Depending on the weather conditions and use, grass can die, scorch, or become muddy.
  • No grass is frost resistant, but whether frost harms your grass or not depends on the grass species. Some grasses can handle frost better than others.
  • Natural grass can also be a drain on fossil fuels, often requiring fertilizers, pesticides to avoid weed growth, as well as fuel to mow the grass.
Natural Grass Playgrounds Typically Have Dirt Patches
Natural grass playgrounds easily can turn into dirt patches.

Installation of Natural Grass and Playground Soil Surfacing

 Pros:

  • Natural grass is sometimes already in the area where you’re building the new playground.
  • You can plant natural grass by seeding the area or laying down sod.
  • You can easily plant grass seeds yourself but bring in a professional if you choose sod over grass seed.
  • You can find sod and grass seed at any hardware store, or if you prefer, you can call your favorite landscape professionals.
Natural grass and dirt as playground flooring
Natural grass can handle very light foot traffic, but upon installation, it looks great!

Cons:

  • Installation is not as simple as it first appears. Done properly, both natural grass and playground soil should have proper irrigation and ground prep.
    • First, consider installing a new irrigation system and drainage to avoid mud. From there, the steps are about the same for seed and sod installation. Remove stones, roots, and other debris to create a smooth surface.
    • Next, rake the surface until it falls below the desired grade and then install edging. Add a good topsoil base, grade the surface, and add lime for a more alkaline pH.
    • Finally, you can lay rows of sod or spread the seed over the prepared area. For seed, you’ll need to rake the soil to ensure the seed comes in contact with the ground and topdress with a layer of straw to aid germination. For both seed and sod, water three times a day for the first two weeks. Sod will need some starter fertilizer to ensure the grass has the proper nutrients. Using seed will require you to stay off the surface for the first two months until roots are thoroughly established.
  • The installation process will likely take a day or two, mainly doing the site prep, but it all depends on the size of your playground surface.

Alternative Playground Surfaces

Even though natural grass is aesthetically pleasing, it’s typically not the best for commercial playground surfacing. When it comes to ensuring the children on your playground have a safe place to play, you want to be sure the surfacing is a top priority. The surface should provide a comfortable, soft cushion to walk on and, when installed correctly, should be compliant with ADA standards for handicap accessible playgrounds.

Looking for an alternative? Get a free quote today for premium poured-in-place rubber surfacing or rubber playground tiles made to keep your playground safe, fun, and enjoyable for everyone.

With so many different qualities and characteristics to consider, choosing a playground surface can be bewildering. That’s why we’ve created an ultimate guide of all the pros and cons of 11 of the most popular playground surfaces, from wood chips to recycled rubber mulch.

FAQs About Using Natural Grass/Dirt for Playgrounds

There’s multiple reasons why we don’t recommend using natural grass or playground soil, including not having the cushion that artificial playground surfaces can have.

Additionally, the American Society for Testing and Materials, has considered marking natural grass as unsafe for playgrounds.

See more safety pros & cons »

Short answer: a lot. Natural grass is one of the highest maintenance playground surfacing options, even though it might appear to be the cheapest upfront cost. Not to mention that if you don’t replace the grass, the worn out patches will simply be dirt and turn into mud when it rains or snows.

See more maintenance pros & cons »

Installing natural grass as playground surfacing:

  • Plant grass seed and wait.
  • Buy pre-grown grass rolls (sod rolls).

Installing playground dirt/soil:

  • Buy bags of it from a hardware store. You’ll probably need to have it delivered. You’ll then need to spread it out over the playground area.
  • Pay a laborer to install it for you.
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