We Speak Playground

Are you thinking of building a playground but don’t know where to start? Planning for a new playground can be intimidating and overwhelming. Understandably, most people don’t know where to start. It’s easy enough to pick out playground equipment that you like, but there are many other aspect of the project that people don't initially think about. 

Playgrounds have been around for a while now. History has it that the first playground was made somewhere around the 1850s in England. Time went by, and there was no change in them. Visit any playground today, and you’re most likely to find a teeter-totter, climbers or a slide that were trendy back in the day when you were still a kid. There may seem to be no change, but you’ll be surprised at just how much these fun spots have transformed over the past few years.

Kids these days have the best of everything. With the caliber of toys, gadgets, technology and entertainment at their fingertips, it can be pretty hard to get kids to participate in some good, old-fashioned outdoor play. Having an exceptional, custom playground that stands out from all the others is a sure way to get kids interested and outside.

Is your playground in need of some serious TLC? You don’t have to use your whole budget and build a completely new playground; making some small updates can make a big overall difference.

All too often, in an effort to design and build a park and playground as quickly as possible, many aspects of the process are overlooked or completely forgotten.

Kids and technology. They go together like sticky fingers on a clean glass door. Most of us are aware of the dangers that too much screen time can have on a child’s developing mind. Kids need physical exercise and opportunities for creative, imaginative play. On the other hand, it’s the world we live in. These kids are going to grow up to change the world, using technology to make it happen. 

As with any major project, establishing a budget is a critical step in the process.  Not only do you need to consider the playground equipment itself, but you must also account for the installation and inclusion of other elements for your Total Park Design.

When budgeting for a new playground there are many factors to consider. There's the obvious cost of equipment, but many people overlook other critical factors such as the cost of installation, ground surfacing or other amenities such as benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains and trash receptacles.

Whether you’re a proactive neighborhood resident browsing for information, an employee at a development company or on the playground planning committee at your kid’s school, you’ve probably come to the same conclusion -- building a new playground is no easy feat!

Last week we published a blog titled "We Bought Playground Equipment...Now What?!?" in which we spoke about the importance of doing research not only on the products you purchase, but also the company associated with the products and the services they offer.