Creating a Strategy for Your New Playground Design

When designing a new playground and investing in commercial equipment, thoughtful research and strategic planning are crucial. The right play equipment should be fun and inviting while ensuring safety and catering to the needs of its users and the community. In this post, we offer detailed steps to help you make informed decisions while planning.

1. Consider Your Playground’s Audience 

The first step in planning your playground is to consider its users. Different settings require different equipment. For instance:

  • Daycares need age-appropriate, safe equipment for very young children.
  • Schools need larger structures to accommodate more children at once.
  • Churches might use the playground as a community gathering space, needing versatile and inclusive equipment.

The age of users is also important to consider whether that be 6-23 months, 2-5-year-olds, 5-12-year-olds, teens, or even multi-generational. Knowing your desired user capacity can help our design team plan sight lines, the number of play elements, and the design footprint to ensure a functional and safe play space. 

2. Pick Your Location

Assess the location available for your new playspace. Flat sites are ideal as they reduce the need for excessive site work and help with drainage. Hill slides and climbers can be an exciting addition in spaces with varied topography. Also important to consider is if the site is easily accessible by ADA walkways and parking. Busy streets and intersections may require fencing for the safety of those at the play site.

3. Plan Your Budget

Your playground budget can vary widely based on the size and amount of playground equipment you choose. Exploring grants and community fundraisers can be effective ways to supplement existing funds.

There are several key factors to consider when planning your budget:

  • Site Improvement & Preparation Costs: This may include demolition of existing equipment, grading, drainage, walkways, and landscaping.
  • Equipment: The costs associated with equipment can fluctuate based on the playground's size, features, and installation costs.
  • Safety Surfacing: Artificial turf, pour-in-place rubber, bonded rubber, loose rubber mulch, and certified playground mulch provide options for every budget and preference. 
  • Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance such as inspections and surfacing touch-ups should also be considered in the project. We have maintenance checklists available for review during the planning process to help provide a clearer picture. 

4. Choose Playground Equipment

Now to get to the fun part, choose the equipment that will not only bring fun and laughter to children for years to come, but promote physical and social growth, problem-solving skills, and increase mental and physical dexterity! When selecting play elements it is important to consider the following:

  • What Ages will be Using the Playground? Utilize equipment that is developmentally appropriate
  • How Do You Want to Engage Users? Choose equipment that meets your goals, whether that is inclusivity, risk play, coordination challenges, or sensory play.
  • How to Promote Inclusivity: Opt for equipment that promotes physical and emotional inclusivity, such as ramped structures and buddy benches. 

5. Choose Playground Surfacing

After equipment selection, the next choice is the playground surfacing. Options range from poured-in-place rubber, known for its durability and low maintenance, to engineered wood fiber for those seeking a natural, budget-friendly choice. However other options are available such as bonded rubber, artificial turf, and loose-fill rubber depending on your preference and budget. Each type of surfacing provides unique advantages and maintenance needs, so choose one that aligns with usability and maintenance capacity.

6. Add Site Amenities

Site amenities such as shade, tables, seating, trash cans, and bike racks enhance the functionality and enjoyment of the playground. These elements are essential for accommodating parents and caregivers, ensuring comfort and convenience while children play.

Throughout the planning process, Barrs Recreation is here to help through every step of the way to create a fun, functional, and accessible play environment for years to come. Contact our team today with any questions that you may have while planning.