Many factors weigh into a play equipment selection. Various equipment styles, manufacturing materials, quality and safety features differentiate your selection possibilities. Also, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends separate play areas for preschoolers from ages 2 to 5 and school-age children between ages 5 and 12. As a rule of thumb, 40 percent of your equipment budget and space should be allocated to preschoolers and 60 percent to school-age children. We recommend you adjust this ratio depending on the mix of ages using your playground.
Equipment types
Play activities
Safety
Aesthetics
Materials
Accessibility
Other issues
Equipment types
Most play equipment falls into one of two types.
Composite Play Systems: These connected
play structures offer a wide variety of active and social play challenges. A well-designed structure can accommodate a large number of children in a relatively small area.
Freestanding Components: Swings, climbers and spring riders are typical of freestanding play components, which should be located a safe distance away from a composite structure. The best play areas offer both types of equipment to satisfy the needs of a greater range of users.
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Play activities
When selecting specific events, we recommend you consider:
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Developmental benefits
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Variety
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Liability issues
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Age-appropriateness
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Cost
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Safety
Most manufacturers comply with the CPSC’s Handbook for Public Playground Safety and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F1487 guidelines on equipment design, layout, installation and maintenance. However, when comparing equipment from several manufacturers, you will want to consider all the details as not all products are equally safe or durable. Your Landscape Structures playground consultant will assist you in your assessment.
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Aesthetics
Do you want commercial playground equipment that blends into its surroundings, or do you prefer a structure that makes a bold statement? What shapes will look best on your playground?
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Materials
Consider the materials used in the equipment you are contemplating. For example, wood has a natural look but it is likely to crack and requires significant maintenance. Some steel products rust quickly in damp or salty areas, making aluminum or stainless steel a better choice for structural parts. Vinyl-coated metals offer users protection against temperature extremes. And plastic parts should be made of high-quality resins with additives to prevent color fading and UV-degradation. Remember, one of the goals is to be environmentally friendly!
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Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) reinforces today’s prevailing emphasis on mainstreaming children of all abilities. Compliance with equal access features and overall accessibility to playground equipment is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The guidelines for inclusive play areas require looking at play areas as a collection of individual play components to determine the minimum amount required to be accessible. Minimum requirements are based on the number of ground level and elevated play components provided.
Read about inclusive or beyond accessible playgrounds, or contact your Landscape Structures playground consultant.
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Other issues
When making a final purchase decision, you will also want to consider these important points:
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Ease of installation (and availability of professional installers, when needed)
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Durability of materials
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Environmental stewardship of the manufacturer
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Manufacturer’s playground-specific maintenance program
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Manufacturer’s warranty
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Cost of ownership over the life of your equipment
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Delivery time
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Manufacturing
One of the best ways to review the choices is to visit existing playgrounds, both old and new. See how the playground equipment wears over time, talk to the maintenance crew, and seek references from other parks or schools who have purchased similar equipment.
Your Landscape Structures playground consultant will give you a list of Landscape Structures’ playgrounds in your area or check out our Visit a Playground section to see a list of playgrounds in your area.
Once you’ve educated yourself about the various types of playground equipment, you’re ready to move on to Step Five: Choose Your Surface.
If you have questions, contact your Landscape Structures playground consultant.
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