PROJECTS

Playground Surface Design & Stenciling Ideas

Poured in Place Rubber Playground Surface | New York City | adventureTURF — Pretend water features on playground flooring.

Designs as Unique as Your Playground

Okay, so we may be biased, but one of the coolest things about poured in place surfacing for playgrounds, is that design and color options are almost limitless.

Stenciling is a really attractive way to add unique designs to make your playground surface stand out. We’ve worked on playground surface stencils in a variety of shapes, such as stars, suns, moons, clouds, butterflies, and even school logos or mascots.

When done with the different colors of poured rubber, it provides an awesome look!

Handicap Accessible Playground Surface Installers | adventureTURF — Stenciled sun on playground surface, next to wheelchair-accessible swing.

Add fun and games without more equipment!

Have you read our article on budget saving ideas for your new playground surface? How about adding games to the surface of your playground without adding new playground equipment? It is possible to install interactive play features within your poured in place surface.

Games on Playground Flooring — Fun games embedded in playground flooring.

Some examples include hopscotch, checkers, four square and animal jumps. Please take a look at the Kayla’s Krew project in our Project Gallery for some great examples!

We’d be happy to help you design your new playground flooring to include games, shapes, logos, etc. Contact us today!

Playground Floor Color Options

Our rubber playground flooring comes in many different colors, including the following. Learn more about the surfacing material.

Want some help designing the perfect playground floor for your unique situation? We’re happy to help! Contact us today »

How to save money on poured rubber playground surfacing

New playground surfacing isn’t inexpensive (here’s how much poured rubber playground surfaces cost). But there are several ways to save time and especially cost when having a new playground surface installed.

3 Ways to Get The Most from Your Playground Surfacing Budget

One of the most frequent questions we hear when people contact us to ask about a new playground surface is “What can we do to get the poured rubber playground surface to fit within our budget?” We love to help our customers save money on their project and get the most out of their budget. Believe it or not, there are a few simple things that can be done to help with cost savings.

1. Use the right mix.

The first thing we recommend is utilizing a 50/50 black/color mix for the surface installation. (It’s the colored rubber that is the most expensive product used in poured in place surfacing.) By reducing the percentage of the colored rubber by half, thousands of dollars can be saved on a playground surfacing project. This causes some concern initially as customers sometimes worry that their poured in place surface will not have the vibrant color they are looking for. In fact, even with a 50/50 mix, the color is very pronounced. Visit our project gallery for examples (most of them were a 50/50 mix).

2. A little elbow grease in prep work.

Another way to realize some cost savings is to do the prep work yourself. Typically, before we can install a new playground surface, an existing play surface of some sort needs to be removed. While we’re happy to include these labor charges in our project costs, we encourage property owners and community volunteers to put their own sweat equity in to the project and save the budget for a fabulous looking play surface. Especially for local parks and recreation areas, we suggest:

Getting the community involved
Organizing a day for everyone to help out
Having volunteers remove existing mulch

Using volunteers can help you save substantially on the labor cost of a playground surfacing project.

3. Take out the trash.

Are there any waste removal or trash collection companies in the area? Contracting for your own trash receptacle can provide additional cost savings.

Conclusion

We’re here to help install a cost-efficient playground surface. Contact us.

We take pride in being able to accommodate everyone’s budget. We’ll work with you to design a playground surface to fit your budget, even if that means using rubber playground tiles.

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Do you have suggestions for additional ways to help save costs during a playground installation project? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Us with your ideas.

Safe Playgrounds: What to Look For

Not so long ago, playgrounds were fairly dangerous places for children to play. Monkey bars and climbing towers 10 feet tall, everything made of metal that gets hot in the sun not to mention its propensity to rust in the rain, and play surfaces that were made of rock hard dirt or even pavement. Safe playgrounds were not the norm. Children would often get severe burns from the metal play equipment and broken limbs or worse from falling off the tall contraptions onto hard surfaces. According to a study released by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on traumatic brain injury (TBI), falls were listed as a leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations for children 0-14 years of age. This data is from as recent as 2013.

Thankfully playgrounds are much safer than they used to be.

As parents we want keep our children safe, while also allowing them to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, make friends, and play, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has come up with a Public Playground Safety Checklist:

Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, additional padding for synthetic turf, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.
Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
Make sure play structures more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart.
Check for dangerous hardware, like open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends.
Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition.
Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they’re safe.

As playground surface installers, we pay special attention and adhere to several items on the list, however we know that the poured rubber surfacing we use is the safest surface for children to play on. We meet and/or exceed ASTM safety standards F1951 and ASTM F1292 and we are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Playground safety is our first priority and we work with each and every one of our playground surfacing clients to be sure that the surface extension is adequate for fall heights under each piece of equipment.

ABOUT ADVENTURETURF

adventureTURF is a turnkey playground and safety surfacing company that offers customers a number of surfacing options including poured in place and pre-fabricated rubber tile systems. The primary focus of the adventureTURF crew is to install the safest surface possible for both children and adults to work and play. We do this by using only the highest quality playground surfacing material available on the market today. Whether customers need rubber surfacing on a community playground, pool deck surface or rubber safety flooring, the team at adventureTURF can design and install a quality recreation area that fits a customer’s needs and their budget.

adventureTURF Announces Partnership with Rainbow Child Care Center

Rainbow Child Care Center has contracted adventureTURF to install poured in place surface on all playgrounds at each of 7 new child care center sites

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Milwaukee, WI) Rainbow Child Care Center has recently contracted the services of adventureTURF to install poured in place surfaces on playgrounds at each of the seven new child care center sites they have opened. The surfaces are planned to be installed on the each of the center’s play areas for children age two to five and children age six to 12.

“With the poured in place surface, the play areas will be accessible to children of all abilities and ensure everyone can enjoy and play on the equipment. Our product ensures total accessibility and all safety standards and critical fall heights are met,” stated adventureTURF company president Mike Dallmann. “We are excited to be helping Rainbow Child Care make their facilities even more safe and child-friendly and to keep their costs down.”

There are three playground surface areas being installed in Madison, WI, one in Milwaukee, WI and one in each location in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. The installations are set to be complete by July 30th of 2017.

“Rainbow Child Care Center originally opened in 1986 in Hillsborough, New Jersey and we are excited to be helping this trusted name in child care to update their facilities and help children of all abilities enjoy time outdoors,” continued Dallmann. “Our company, adventureTURF has been installing these safety surfaces for years and we have an experienced crew that handles every aspect of the design and installation process.

At https://adventureturf.com/ potential customers can learn about the rubber playground surface installation services offered, as well as the American Recycling poured in place surfacing material used for this project. In fact, it is the manufacturer that recommended the services of adventureTURF directly to the Rainbow Child Care facilities. The expert installation crew at adventureTURF has the ability to travel to the sites across the Midwest for this project. This reduces costs for Rainbow Child Care while ensuring superior results are achieved.

ABOUT ADVENTURETURF

Media Contact
Mike Dallmann
Kenosha, WI 53142
Email
Phone: 414-587-8873
https://adventureturf.com/

Proper Maintenance and Care for Playground and Safety Surfaces

There is no playground surface that is completely 100% maintenance free—not even poured in place rubber playground surfaces.

Probably the most common misconception with rubber playground surface is that it is maintenance free. Like everything else in the world, this product requires a little bit of TLC to keep it looking great (and functioning properly). There is no question that poured in place surface is the best and safest product currently on the market. With that comes a VERY durable and long lasting material. However, a little routine maintenance is needed to keep the surface looking great and performing well.

High Traffic Areas

The first item that needs to be addressed is wear in high traffic areas. This usually occurs under swings, slides and on the perimeter of merry-go-rounds. With children constantly dragging their feet to stop momentum in these areas, some maintenance becomes necessary. Take a look at some of our maintenance photos here.

Keep it Free From Spills and Debris

Always make sure your playground safety surface is kept clean. Should a spill occur or if someone tracks in some unwanted debris, make sure it is cleaned as soon as possible. If spills such as soft drinks, gum, chemicals, glue or other liquids are not cleaned from the surface quickly, it can cause loss of color to the poured in place surface. Simple soft soap like a laundry detergent and warm water seem to work best.

When thinking about a new playground surface, always make sure to discuss a future maintenance plan with your contractor. Poured in place playground surfaces, while not 100% maintenance free are very durable, very long-lasting, and very safe. So, although not much in terms of maintenance is needed on rubber poured in place surfaces, no product is truly 100% “maintenance free”.

Playground Surface Binder Types and Their Benefits

Poured in place playground surfacing materials require a binding agent to bind the materials together for safety and durability.

There are primarily two different types of binders used in poured in place rubber surfacing. The rubber binding agent is a key component in the application. Many installers do not understand the difference between the binders and therefore, they do not education their customers on how the playground surface could be affected.

Aromatic Binder

The aromatic binder is the most typically used binder in poured in place surfaces. It is a good quality product and works well in most climates. It is resilient and can withstand many different outdoor conditions. This is the most affordable binder on the market. However, there are certain limitations with this product. When exposed to extreme sunlight, it can cause fading of color in poured in place surfaces. Also, it does not stand up as well to constant water flow (so it should not be used for rubber pool decks and surfaces).

Aliphatic Binder

The aliphatic binder is the recommended choice for more extreme conditions. Anytime a playground surface is exposed to intense sunlight, this product should be used to avoid color fading. We recommend this binder to all of our customers in the deep south and southwest parts of the U.S. On splash pads and certain swimming pool decks, the aliphatic binder is preferred, as it holds up better with continuous water exposure. The aliphatic binding agent is not inexpensive, calculating to nearly double the cost of the aromatic binder. But in certain conditions it is the better, more long-lasting option. This is something to be considered when budgeting for a new playground surface.

Not Sure Which to Choose?

Have questions about the binding agent required for your new playground’s poured in place surface?

Contact us, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

Grant Options for Rubber Playground Surfacing

Looking into how to pay for that new playground? See our playground grants resource list.

Playground Grants Resources List | adventureTURF Playground Surfacing — ACS New York

Most often, the first thing we talk about with prospective new playground surfacing customers and local community organizations is budget. For obvious reasons we (and they) must stay within their budget constraints. But there are a significant number of playground grants resources available to help offset the cost of the new playground surface. We advise them to look into playground grants to help fund the new playground.

There is no question that poured in place and rubber tile playground or pool deck surfaces can be fairly expensive. Of course, our thought on that is ‘you get what you pay for.’ However, we completely understand that not every potential customer has the funds necessary to pay for these upgrades on their playgrounds.

One of the best suggestions we can give to potential customers is to apply for grants to assist in raising money. Each year there are thousands of dollars in available grants to schools, day cares, churches etc. for recycled rubber applications within their new playground surface. Considering our materials consist of mainly recycled rubber, these grants can be a perfect opportunity for many people interested in a new playground surface. We’ve compiled a list of potential grants you may want to consider. This is by no means an exhaustive list; be sure to check your local community for additional grants and available funding sources.

Kaboom Fundraising: https://kaboom.org/grants
http://www.schoolgrantsblog.com/
http://www.grants.gov/
https://purpose.nike.com/ncif
https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants
https://corporate.lowes.com/our-responsibilities/our-communities
https://corporate.mattel.com/content/mattel/philanthropy.html
http://peacefulplaygrounds.com/playground-and-garden-grants/
https://www.legofoundation.com/en/about-us/how-we-work/grant-opportunities/
Up to $25000 PVC free Playground Grant from Playworld Systems
CVS & Caremark
General Mills-Champions for Healthy Kids
NFL Keep Gym in School Grant
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants.gov source for federal grants
Responsible Sports Grants – Youth Sports Grants from Liberty Mutual
Youth Garden Grants
Office of Head Start Expansion Grants Program
National Recess Week
Frosted Flakes – for baseball or football fields
NFL Play 60
PNC Grow Up Great
Access to Recreation
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Hasbro Children’s Fund
L. Bean Conservation and Recreation Grants
Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Education Grants
Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation – Early Childhood Care and Education Grants
General Mills Youth Nutrition and Fitness Grants
NRPA Step Up to Health Healthy Communities Start in Parks Grants
Reader’s Digest Make it Matter Grant
National Education Association Student Achievement Grants
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
GreenWorks! Grant Program
Staples Foundation For Learning
Pay it Forward Foundation Mini Grants
Kids in Need Teacher Grants
Education Mini Grants Funded by the Entomological Society of America
The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation
Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Awards
The Finish Line Youth Foundation
Women’s Sports Foundation Grants
The Wal-Mart Foundation Grants
CDC (Center for Disease Control) grants for nutrition and physical activity
Kellogg Foundation Grants
Every Kid Sports – Grants
Rite Aid Foundation Kid Cents

If you are planning to apply for any of the above grants, and need additional supporting information for your new playground surfacing project, contact us. We’re happy to help!

Playground Safety Checklist

Without question, the most important thing to think about when considering options for your playground or playground surfacing is whether or not the playground is safe. Playgroundsafety.org is a great resource to use when researching safety standards for your playground and surface.

Checklist of the Top 10 things to Consider for Playground Safety

Adult Supervision is Present – Never leave your playground unattended. Even if safety standards are met and a quality playground surface is in place, adult supervision is needed to avoid potential safety hazards.
Children Must Play on Age Appropriate Equipment – Playground equipment is broken down into separate age groups: 2-5 year-old and 5-12 year-old. Always make sure children are using equipment that is appropriate for their age. Safety surface or not, this is a key to providing a safe playground.
Appropriate Playground Safety Surface is Present – 70% of all playground injuries occur when children fall to the ground. Safety surface is the key to preventing these injuries. We recommend poured in place rubber surfacing. It provides a uniform cushion for children to fall on and is the best product on the market in terms of safety, color and design options.
Perform Routine Checks to Insure Equipment is Safe – Make sure all equipment is secure and free of loose parts/chipped paint/rust etc. Playground equipment should also be secured to the playground surface at minimum. The safest option is to have augured holes and concrete footings keeping the playground in place.
No Strings or Ropes are Present – Equipment containing strings or ropes is very dangerous. If used incorrectly, it can cause accidental strangulation.
Make Sure Equipment Does Not Get Too Hot – Constant sunlight on plastic or metal play equipment can be very dangerous. It is possible for children to be burned when playground equipment heats up too much.
No Bike Helmets Should be Worn – Bike helmets are not to be worn when playing on equipment. Straps can easily get caught and cause accidents. The best measure to take to eliminate the risk of head injuries is to upgrade your playground safety surface.
Make Sure Children are Dressed Appropriately – Children should be encouraged to wear clothing conducive to playing on a playground. Proper shoes should also be encouraged.
Children Need to be Protected from the Sun – It is very easy to forget about intense sunlight when playing on playgrounds. Always apply sunscreen, wear hats and take preventative measures necessary to avoid excessive sun exposure.
Be Aware of Extreme Temperatures – The summer heat can be tough on all of us. Make sure children are hydrated and not out in the heat too long.

Playground and Safety Surfacing Maintenance

Recap and Replace Rubber Playground Flooring | adventureTURF Playground Surface Installers — Poured rubber playground surface showing signs of wear and tear.

Despite what many people may believe, poured in place rubber surface is not 100% maintenance-free. Of course, it’s a lot easier than maintaining wood chips as a playground safety surface. By no means does this mean that it isn’t a durable and reliable playground safety surface that will last a long time. A newly installed playground surface will last for years to come. However, in time, some basic maintenance may be needed.

The amount of maintenance and possible repair work you need completely depends on the amount of traffic on this durable rubber surface. Most of the time only small repairs in very high traffic/high use areas are necessary. These areas such as those surfaces underneath playground swings, at the base of slides, and at main entry points are very easy to repair when they become worn. The repair work require to fix these areas is very affordable, usually less than 1% of the initial cost of the rubber surface installation. It is also easy to complete and can be done in one day. Learn about our recapping and restoration services.

For those who want to be proactive and prevent or prolong the normal wear and tear, wear mats can be installed in these high traffic areas. These mats will prevent the wear which typically occurs on poured in place surfaces. Here is a link to a supplier page where these mats can be purchased: https://www.aaastateofplay.com/playground-wear-mat/

Finally, it is important to address these maintenance needs as soon as you become aware of them. At the first sign of wear, have the playground surface repaired. The longer you wait, the more expensive the maintenance becomes. You don’t want to have to replace your entire playground surface.