When adventureTURF was approached for a playground project in Charleston, South Carolina, we knew it would showcase everything we offer. This large-scale project, completed for a major national childcare provider, featured almost every aspect of our premium playground surfacing and expert installation techniques. This project highlights our expertise, from complete removal and excavation of the old playground to installing age-appropriate play structures and a blend of the right surfacing solutions. Beyond its scope, it demonstrates the full spectrum of playground development services that modern childcare facilities need. Join us as Mike Dallmann, the owner and project manager at adventureTURF, lays down what made this playground surfacing project so extraordinary.
The Power of Playgrounds in Driving Enrollment
Research continues to demonstrate what many childcare directors already know: high-quality outdoor play spaces significantly impact enrollment numbers. For this childcare provider, parent survey results had identified playground improvements as the number one enhancement parents wanted to see.
“Based on their research, they found that investing in or enhancing playgrounds is one of the best things childcare centers can do to improve enrollment,” explains Mike. “It bodes extremely well when parents consider where to send their kids.”
The Project Scope
This playground transformation was a full-scale redevelopment, including:
- The adventureTURF team began by removing all existing equipment and the wood chip surfacing that had previously covered the play areas.
- Site grading and drainage improvements to ensure long-term durability and compliance with safety standards.
- Installation of new playground structures tailored to different age groups.
- Implementation of multiple surfacing solutions, combining poured-in-place rubber under play equipment for safety and artificial turf for open areas, offering a cost-effective yet natural aesthetic.
Age-Appropriate Design: Creating Spaces for Every Child
One of the most critical aspects of the project involved designing distinct play zones for different age groups. The adventureTURF team worked closely with the childcare staff to understand their specific needs.
“A lot of people don’t realize that different play pieces are designed specifically for different age groups,” notes Mike. “Just because you like a particular piece doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for the developmental stage of the children you’re trying to accommodate.”
The final design incorporated three distinct play areas:
- An infant/toddler zone (1-2 years) positioned with direct access from the building
- A preschool area (2-5 years) with equipment scaled for developing coordination
- A space for older children (4-6 years) with more challenging play elements
Each zone was carefully positioned to allow for supervised transitions between the building and play areas, with thoughtful consideration of how children would flow through the space. This layout helped minimize cross-traffic between age groups, making supervision easier and ensuring each child had a designated, safe play space.
Surfacing Innovation: Blending Safety and Aesthetics
One of the most visually striking aspects of the Charleston playground was the combination of surfacing materials. “They decided to go with the best look for a large play space,” Mike explains.
“Poured rubber playground surface underneath all of the play equipment, and then synthetic turf in the remaining areas—the transition areas and the open play spaces.”
- Poured-in-place rubber surfacing under play structures, providing optimal fall protection while meeting safety and accessibility regulations.
- Artificial playground turf for surrounding areas, creating a natural grass look while reducing ongoing maintenance and keeping play areas clean.
This dual safety surfacing strategy created several benefits:
- Enhanced safety with appropriate fall attenuation where needed
- Improved accessibility for children of all abilities
- Reduced maintenance compared to loose fill materials or natural grass
- Superior drainage to prevent puddles and mud
- A visually appealing combination of colors and textures
This approach met play surface safety requirements and provided significant cost savings compared to using poured rubber throughout.
Playground Safety and Accessibility: A Priority
A standout feature of this project was the emphasis on ADA compliance and child safety. adventureTURF ensured that:
- Playground flooring materials were fully ADA-compliant, offering smooth transitions for children of all mobility levels.
- Play structures were carefully selected and placed to meet CPSI safety guidelines, including appropriate spacing for fall zones.
- Shaded areas were integrated, either through natural structures or purpose-built canopies, helping meet licensing requirements for sun protection.
Shade Solutions for Southern Comfort
Given Charleston’s warm climate, providing adequate shade was another crucial project element. While some natural shade from existing trees was available, adventureTURF installed additional shade structures to ensure each play zone had appropriate sun protection.
“It’s often a licensing requirement to have a certain amount of shade in each individual play area,” notes Mike. “We’ll put shade canopies in as part of the design. Most of them are 12 x 12 or 14 x 14 feet that fit nicely into a space close to the playground equipment.”
These strategically placed shade elements ensure children can enjoy outdoor time even during the hottest parts of the day, making the playground usable year-round.
Weather Challenges: Pushing Through a Hurricane
The project wasn’t without its challenges. During installation, a hurricane swept through Charleston, temporarily halting work and creating drainage concerns.
“We had the majority of it pitched for drainage, but obviously it took a while to dry out, and we had to rework some parts,” Mike recalls. While this delayed completion by several days, the properly engineered drainage system proved its worth, validating the importance of proper site preparation.
A Turnkey Approach to Playground Development
What made this project particularly notable was adventureTURF’s comprehensive management of every phase:
- Initial consultation and site assessment
- Design development with age-appropriate equipment selection
- Complete demolition of existing structures and surfacing
- Site preparation with proper grading and drainage
- Equipment installation for multiple age groups
- Surfacing application, including poured rubber, synthetic turf, and/or rubber tiles
- Shade structure installation for comfort and safety
- Final inspection to ensure all safety standards were met
“Everything had to be thought through to the smallest details. For example, we put each area at the access point to the building. When kids of that age group exit the building, the door they exit leads right into their particular playground area,” explains the project lead.
The Results: A Showcase Facility
The completed playground has become exactly what the childcare provider hoped for: a model facility demonstrating their commitment to quality care. The combination of age-appropriate equipment, premium surfacing, and thoughtful design has created a space that’s visually appealing and functionally superior.
For childcare providers considering similar renovations, this project highlights the value of working with playground specialists who understand the full spectrum of considerations, from safety regulations to aesthetic appeal.
“When we coordinate one of these from start to finish, we have to look at everything,” Mike emphasizes. “We can streamline the process and suggest the right type of equipment and surfacing for the age group and play space.”
Why adventureTURF?
The Charleston project exemplifies how our team can handle every aspect of a playground installation, from equipment selection to site preparation, surfacing, and compliance considerations.
For organizations looking to upgrade their playgrounds—whether a single location or multiple sites—adventureTURF provides a turnkey solution that ensures safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal while staying within budget.
Write Your Own Playground Success Story
Building or remodeling a play area is a significant investment. Make sure your investment is in the right hands so the children in your care get nothing but the best. Whether you need poured-in-place rubber, artificial turf, rubber playground tiles, or a combination of surfacing solutions, adventureTURF has the expertise to bring your vision to life. Contact adventureTURF today to learn how we can help your facility thrive with our exceptional playground services.
