Seesaws are a classic playground item. The concept of teetering has been established on playgrounds over several years. The pictured seesaw is a 4-Seat See Saw from SportsPlay. The frame is concreted as shown and plumbed level. The pipes are connected to the frame and seats are attached. The frame is connected easiest with an impact drill at least 18 volt. Use the impact drill to drive set screws into the frame in predrilled holes to secure the frame. The best tool is an allen socket insert for the drill. Thread glue should be used to properly lock in each set screw.
The Childforms balance beam is photographed. Two bags of standard Quikrete secure each leg in place. Other tools required include a shovel or auger, level, and portable drill. The beam assembles in less than 5 minutes and comes complete with hardware and bit for use in standard drills or impact drivers. Balance beams should be installed at a height of 12-18 inches off of the protective surface depending on the intended age of the final user.
Digging holes does not sound difficult. Often, it is the most challenging part of installing play equipment. An average hole is 18 inches wide by 18 inches high. Augers and bobcats are the best and most efficient tools for digging. In the photo all the holes have been dug and the posts have been attached to decks. The next step will be plumbing the posts for concrete mix.
Playground equipment does require assembly. Pictured below is a 10 foot merry go round. It is neatly packed on a 5 foot x 5 foot pallet. This pallet weighs 1,100 pounds. Not only is it unassembled, but it weighs a half ton. This is one of many reasons playground equipment can be costly to install. Often small modifications must be made to equipment, as the manufacturing is not always an exact science. There are many reasons to hire professional playground installers for installation of play equipment. The large and more expensive the item, generally the more difficult assembly becomes.
Some play equipment, specifically spring bouncers take great effort and materials to install. Installation charges often cost as much as the bouncer. A 2 foot deep by 2 foot wide hole sounds like it could be too big, but is necessary to stabilize the unit. This may take up to 6-80 pound bags of concrete. Still, children enjoy this rider so much, it is worth the effort.
The photo shows a recently vandalized playground. The holes formed are from hand grips on a spring bouncer. Vandalism is difficult to avoid in many areas. Believe it or not, vandalism shown is more prevalent in affluent communities. The best prevention short of installing security cameras and hiring 24 hour guards is a fence. Fencing and installers of fence are readily available in most every area across the US. Protecting your playground investment can be difficult, especially in public playgrounds such as parks and schools. With proper layout and design, the playground will have easy viewing, creating less areas that can lead to problems.
This poured in place surface is 24 years old and is showing age. The asphalt underneath has shifted over time and created a low spot. The top layer can be removed and recapped; however in this instance the best solution is complete removal and resurfacing. The best way to avoid this from happening to your surface is to compact the subsurface as much as possible. Good drainage is key to extending the life of any play surface.
Toddlers are a specific age group of children that play equipment is often scarce. Pictured is a common item that children enjoy, named a Tunnel Maze. The unit pictured is built with recycled plastic posts and features a small chute slide. Other common items for toddlers include the Mushroom Kottage and Tot Tree. Younger children need to be on the ground as much as possible to avoid falls, which are dangerous at a young age. Ground events and play panels allow younger children to interact on the playground, while maintaining their feet on the ground.
Poured in place has been used on playgrounds for several years. The following photo is of a local installation performed 7 years ago. The project was contracted to a local construction company, which then bids the construction out to the lowest bidder. As a result the job resulted in a shoddy installation over a drain. As the drain was placed in the center of the playground, all dirt travels to the center, creating the effect seen in the photo. This can be avoided by placing drains on the perimeter of the play area. The example poured in place was also affected by a stopped drain, for which the city is responsible. One can be sure no responsibility will be taken on part of the contractor, city, or installer.
A playground installation should be marked off during the construction process to avoid any accidents and to help keep outside foot traffic to a minimum. Caution tape is the easiest and most convenient method of marking a new construction. Orange warning fence also works well as most people generally associate orange with construction. Either way, keeping the area under wraps so to say, is necessary to allow posts to set, loose screws to be picked up, and the general area to be cleaned and prepped. These obstructions generally will keep children from seeking fun a little too early.
