Playground planning
Playground Surfacing Options
Commercial surfacing for playgrounds
Choosing the perfect surfacing for your playground is not an easy task. The paramount importance of safety, durability, and compliance with regulations when it comes to playground surfacing is something we understand fully. Surfacing is a significant part of your playground planning project equally important part of your playground as the design and the playground equipment. Public playground surfacing acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs impact energy, reducing the severity of injuries from falls. It provides a softer landing surface than hard materials like concrete or asphalt. Here are some of the key considerations you should keep in mind:
Safety and durability
Fall height protection
Playground safety regulations
Installation
Design and Aesthetics
Accessibility
1. Safety & Durability
Playground safety surfacing is part of stringent commercial safety regulations and standards, guaranteeing a secure and enjoyable play experience for all. Sand, engineered wood fibre and rubber playground surfacing such as FLEXOTOP™ are all functional surfacing options. Sand and engineered wood fibres are generally cheaper but require top up and daily maintenance, whereas rubber surfacing is more costly and a more durable option in the long run. The most common playground surfacing materials are:
Sand
Sand is a traditional playground surface that offers good impact absorption and is enjoyable for digging and building. However, regular maintenance is required to prevent compaction and contamination.
Engineered wood fibre
EWF is made from shredded wood fibres and is designed to provide impact absorption while maintaining accessibility compliance. It's natural-looking and is often used in playgrounds with a more rustic aesthetic.
Rubber playground surfacing (Flexotop™)
Made from recycled rubber, rubber provides excellent impact absorption and is highly durable. It's available in various colours and textures, making it a versatile playground option. Flexotop™ is made from recycled sneakergrind. Learn more about Flexotop™ here.
2. Fall height protection
The choice of surfacing is connected to the type of playground equipment on the playground.
The thickness of a playground surface depends on the material used and the critical fall height requirement. When installing playground equipment and using Flexotop™, the total thickness of the surfacing must be adapted to the Critical Fall Height of the play equipment. Flexotop™ ECO is tested accordingly to EN1177 & EN1176 by TÜV.
Playground sand should be 12 inches deep to provide adequate impact absorption and cushioning for falls.
3. Playground safety regulations
Learning about your local government regulations and safety precautions can be cumbersome but a necessary means to an end. You have to ensure your playground is a safe space with safe play for all users. Your local playground consultant is more than happy to take the burden off your shoulders. To learn the rules and best practices for playground safety, read your local safety guidelines.
4. Installation
Installing playground surfacing requires careful planning, precision, and adherence to safety standards to ensure a durable and accessible play environment. Here are five critical considerations for the installation process:
Site Preparation: Clearing the site, grading the terrain, and ensuring proper drainage are essential preliminary steps to create a suitable foundation for the surfacing material.
Base Preparation: Installing a stable base layer, such as crushed stone or gravel, provides support and aids in drainage, contributing to the durability and longevity of the surfacing.
Material Delivery: Coordinating the delivery of surfacing materials and equipment ensures timely installation and minimises disruptions to the project schedule.
Surface Application: Applying the surfacing material evenly and according to manufacturer guidelines is crucial for optimal performance and safety, whether pouring rubber, laying tiles, or spreading mulch.
Safety Compliance: Adhering to safety standards and regulations, including fall height requirements and impact attenuation guidelines, is essential to mitigate the risk of injuries and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Make sure to engage experienced playground installers for best practices; installing playground surfacing can transform an ordinary play area into a safe, inclusive, and inviting space for children to explore, learn, and thrive. Please do not hesitate to contact our installation team for guidance on the installation topic.
Learn more about playground installation here.
5. Design and Aesthetics
Choosing the right surface option also depends on factors such as aesthetic preferences. It's essential to assess the specific needs of the playground and select the most suitable surface option accordingly. As mentioned above, choosing the right type of surfacing for your playground project can enhance the design and the overall playground experience.
With a wide range of colour options, Flexotop™ allows playground designers to be very playful in their designs, as different colours, shapes and graphics can support and highlight the design. Zoning, route guidance, and 2D and 3D visuals in the design can help tie playground equipment and play together, extending the overall play experience, especially if your playground project has a theme.
6. Accessibility
Surfacing is pivotal in ensuring accessibility to playgrounds for individuals with disabilities. The choice of surfacing can significantly impact the ability of all children, including those with mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers, to access and enjoy the playground. Here's how surfacing can affect accessibility and, ultimately, inclusion in playgrounds:
Smoothness and Firmness: Accessible surfacing should be smooth and firm to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers. Surfaces like rubber tiles, poured-in-place playground surfacing, and rubber playground mats offer smooth and stable pathways for easy manoeuvrability.
Level Changes: The surfacing should be level and free of abrupt elevation changes to ensure smooth transitions between playground areas. Uneven surfaces can pose challenges for individuals with mobility impairments and increase the risk of trips and falls.
Traction: Playground surfacing options should provide adequate traction to prevent slips and falls, especially during wet or rainy conditions. Rubberised surfaces and textured tiles can help improve traction and enhance safety for all playground users.
Accessibility Standards: Many countries have accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, that specify requirements for playground surfacing. These standards ensure that playgrounds are designed to be inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Accessible surfacing allows individuals using wheelchairs to navigate independently throughout the playground, including reaching play equipment, sensory panels, and interactive elements.
Transition Zones: Transition zones between different surfacing types should be smooth and level to facilitate seamless movement for individuals with disabilities. Ramp access and clear pathways help ensure everyone can access and enjoy the playground area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is used for playground turf?
Playground turf, also known as artificial turf or synthetic grass, is typically made from polyethene or polypropylene fibres. These fibres are tufted into a backing material, usually made of polypropylene or latex, to create a durable and realistic-looking surface. Infill materials, such as silica sand or rubber granules, are often added to provide stability, cushioning, and support for the turf fibres. Playground turf offers a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass and provides a soft and uniform surface for play areas.
How does public playground surfacing prevent injuries?
Public playground surfacing plays a critical role in preventing injuries by providing a cushioned, impact-absorbing surface for children to play. The primary purpose of playground surfacing is to minimise the severity of injuries that may occur from falls or impacts during play.
What are the CPSC guidelines for playground surfacing?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides guidelines for playground surfacing to help reduce the risk of injuries from falls. These guidelines are outlined in the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety, which offers recommendations for various aspects of playground safety, including surfacing.
What is playground surface called?
The rubber material commonly used in playgrounds is often referred to as "rubber mulch," "rubber safety surfacing," or "rubber playground tiles." These materials are made from recycled rubber and are designed to provide impact absorption and cushioning to help reduce the risk of injuries from falls on playgrounds. Rubber mulch is typically used as loose-fill surfacing, while rubber playground tiles offer a more stable and uniform surface for play areas. These rubber materials are popular choices for playground surfacing due to their durability, safety properties, and ease of maintenance.
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