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Playground surfacing can have a big impact, not just on how a space is enjoyed but also how easy it is to maintain. It’s also a big component in cost effectiveness and whether a great playground space is achievable on an ongoing basis. If you’re currently making choices about playground surfacing – or considering replacing existing surfacing – then these are some important points to consider about how the right surfacing can help to protect and minimise spend.
- Some playground surfaces can actually be a safety hazard. When it comes to protecting children, it’s really important to make sure you pick the right kind of playground surfacing. Materials like bark mulch, for example, can cause splinters while gravel can break the surface of the skin. When surfacing becomes damaged or defective it can result in slips, falls and even head injuries so durability and long-term performance are vital to ensure ongoing safety standards.
- The wrong surfacing can cost a fortune in maintenance. If you find that you’re constantly spending a lot of money on maintaining and repairing your playground surfacing then a different option could be much more effective in terms of keeping costs down and protecting children. Tarmac or asphalt, for example, are not cheap and that’s especially so if you’re just resurfacing some small areas. Any kind of loose surfacing can become dispersed and need replacing often, as well as creating slip hazards. If your team is constantly dealing with playground surfacing maintenance then now might be a great time to look for a different option.
- The weather can be a disaster. There are some types of playground surfacing that deteriorate as soon as the weather does. Grass, for example, can be a great option in the summer – except when it gets too hot and the ground becomes hard. Plus, in the winter, rain can make a grass surface very slippery and will make it likely that dirt and mud will be tracked from the outdoors indoors. This can create multiple slip hazards inside as more and more children track mud in from the playground. More modern playground surfaces don’t have this problem and will help to ensure that – whatever the weather – the playground surfacing doesn’t make more work for your team.
- Children actually use the playground. When it comes to designing a playground that will entertain, engage and stimulate the imagination, it’s easy to forget just how much of a role surfacing has to play in this. A dreary, grey space feels uninviting and is unlikely to encourage children to experiment and play. However, a modern, colourful surface – which has been designed with patterns and markings that encourage creativity and activity – is going to be a much more popular space. So, if you want to get the most out of what you invest in your playground, the right kind of surfacing is key.
From minimising the impact of the weather to reducing spend on maintenance, these are some of the ways that playground surfacing helps protect and keep costs down.
For more information on HOW PLAYGROUND SURFACING HELPS PROTECT AND KEEP COSTS DOWN talk to Caloo Ltd