There are a variety of options to choose from when selecting playground equipment. Consider if the equipment will comply with national safety guidelines, has play value (active play, imaginative play), and long-term value. It is also important to consider the experience of the installation crew, including whether they are certified and trained to the install to the current safety guidelines.
There are two major trends in playground design these days, natural playgrounds and commercial playgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What are natural playgrounds?
Natural playgrounds are usually custom made using raw logs, and/or various other natural materials. Sometimes commercial elements such as slides and firepoles are incorporated in natural playgrounds, but generally they are focused on imaginative play and tend to be lacking in active play value.
Q What is commercial play equipment?
Commercial play equipment is manufactured. Such equipment is tested to comply with national safety guidelines and is engineered for heavy-use. Often, commercial playgrounds provide ample opportunity for active play (swinging, sliding and climbing) but tend to be lacking in terms of imaginative play or ambiance. Typical commercial play equipment consists of deck and post structures buttressed with various activity components. Lately, new forms of play equipment with curved posts have emerged challenging old conventions. Commercial play equipment is generally made with steel support posts and often, plastic components.
Q What is recycled play equipment?
Recently, environmentally-friendly play equipment made with recycled milk containers has emerged on the market, offering an alternative to conventional materials.
Recycled milk jugs are melted down to produce HDPE (high density polyethylene), which is repurposed into Recycled Plastic Lumber (RPL). RPL is extremely durable and UV stable. This material weathers temperature extremes very well and is safe and smooth for children’s hands. RPL tends to come with a lifetime warranty against defects, making it a good choice for long-term value. It is also a great example of building with garbage (link to our blog post) and an excellent way to repurpose material that would otherwise fill a landfill.
Q What is the name of the playground safety standard in Canada and the USA?
In Canada, the current playground safety guideline is entitled CSA Z6-14. The American standard is entitled ASTM 1487-07. To briefly describe the scope of these standards: They provide requirements for children aged 18 months to 12 years. They address the varied play needs of children with diverse ranges of physical and emotional development. They address the technical requirements and practices applicable to: Design, manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, and inspection of children’s playspaces and equipment in public playspaces. There is an effort to harmonize both standards.
(Sourced from: Canadian Playground Safety Institute Theory Course manual, Jan. 2009 edition).
Q How are playgrounds installed?
In general, there are 2 major ways to install a play structure. The first, and most typical way is by embedding support posts in the ground (approx. 2-3’ deep) with concrete. This method is simple and effective, but proper ground conditions are required. This method will usually not work if the play equipment is being installed over top of a roof membrane or parking garage, where the depth cannot be achieved.
The second most popular method is referred to as the stringer method. In this method the support posts are welded to a steel framework (C-channel steel) that sits on top of the ground (as opposed to being embedded in the ground). It is important to ensure that the steel C-channel framework has been primed and or painted to protect against corrosion. The stringer method is often much quicker to install than the in-ground method. It’s also quite easy to move a structure to a new location through simple disassembly. A substantial framework must be utilized to ensure that the structure is solid. Stringer installations often require slightly more maintenance as smaller components that are welded to the framework can break off after major use.
Q What are the different playground safety surfacing options?
Please refer to our blog post on safety surfacing for surfacing options and information.
Q Where can I get more information or a quote on playground equipment?
You can see a wide variety of playground designs and download layout drawings and 3D renderings at The Landscape Architect Superstore. You can download drawings, obtain a price quote, or acquire further information on typical commercial play equipment, recycled commercial play equipment, or natural playground elements.
