The sound of kids laughing on aplayground? It’s magic. It means freedom, fun, and fresh air. But for anyone managing that space—whether it’s at a local school, a community park, or a church—it also comes with a serious responsibility: keeping that playground safe for the children who use it.
Falls are the most common source of playground injuries, and many of those could be prevented with something as simple as deeper mulch or a tighter railing. A smart, well-executed maintenance plan is what turns a one-time project into a long-lasting, safe environment for play.
So, where do you start?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a practical, effective maintenance plan that works for your space and your team.
Playground maintenance isn’t optional—it’s essential. Knowing how and why we need to maintain our playgrounds is important. Staying on top of wear and tear helps you catch potential hazards before they cause harm, reducing the risk of accidents.
It also protects your investment, minimizes liability, and keeps you compliant with important safety standards and guidelines developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Think of it as insurance, peace of mind, and a commitment to the kids who use your playground—rolled into one. In addition, consistent maintenance contributes to user confidence and satisfaction.
It’s hard to take care of something if you don’t know what you’re responsible for. So, the first step is simple: determine all the components of your playground and make a list.
Write down every piece of playground equipment, from slides to swings, including its age, what it’s made of, and who manufactured it. Don’t forget the surfacing—what type it is, how deep it should be, and any extra features like fences, borders, guardrails, or ramps.
This becomes your maintenance roadmap and can serve as the basis for your primary checklist. It doesn’t have to be fancy; a simple spreadsheet (with photos if you can swing it) will do.
No one has time for daily deep dives into playground safety. But a little consistency goes a long way. Break your playground inspections into two types: quick visual checks and more thorough assessments.
Quick checks can happen as often as daily or weekly, especially in high-traffic areas. Volunteer caregivers and staff can easily perform these visual sweeps.
You’re just looking for anything obvious—loose bolts, nuts, screws, broken swings, trash, or displaced surfacing. In areas with heavy use or specific concerns, more frequent inspections may be necessary.
Then, monthly or so, you can get a little more hands-on. Focus on tightening what needs tightening, look closely at moving parts like swings or spinners, check chains and hooks, and give the surfacing a rake to even it out.
And at least once a year (preferably more if the playground gets heavy use), do a full review. Inspect the structure, check for rust, corrosion, and cracks, test the drainage, and decide if anything needs repainting or replacing.
It’s a good time to plan bigger maintenance tasks, like topping off wood fiber or making equipment upgrades.
When kids fall—and they will—thesurface they land on can make all the difference in preventing fall injuries.
Loose-fill surfacing like engineered wood fiber or rubber mulch shifts with use, so it needs to be raked and refilled regularly to stay effective. Areas under swings and slides wear down fast, so keep a close eye there.
Unitary surfaces like poured rubber, rubber tiles, or synthetic turf need a different approach. Look for cracks, lifted edges, or spots that are starting to harden. And whatever kind of surface you have, make sure the borders are solid and that the ramps are stable and easy to navigate.
Even the best plan falls apart if no one knows who’s responsible. Define clear roles: who’s handling the inspections, who’s logging the info, who’s making sure repairs happen, and tasks are properly assigned and carried out. Maybe your maintenance staff takes the lead, or maybe you work with volunteers, but someone has to own each piece of the puzzle.
If you can, get a Certified Playground Safety Inspector(CPSI) to provide a professional annual inspection service or checkup for your space.
Documentation isn’t just about staying organized—it’s about protecting your organization if something ever goes wrong, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and helping to ensure that what your playground equipment warranty covers is protected.
Frequently update your documentation and keep a report or record of every inspection, even if nothing is found. Log all repairs, and note what was done, the date it was completed, and by whom. Save equipment receipts, warranty info, and training records too.
Digital records work great for this and are easier to back up and share.
If you spot a serious safety hazard, don’t wait.
Close off the area immediately with signs or caution tape, and notify whoever handles repairs. Make sure you document when the problem was found, what you did to keep the area safe, and when the fix was completed.
Having “Out of Order” signs and tape on hand can really speed things up when you need them.
Playgrounds aren’t just one-time expenses—they require ongoing care.
Plan ahead in your budget for replacement surfacing, hardware, cleaning supplies, and occasional repairs. Remember that playground surfacing alone can account for up to 15% of your original project cost over time.
Track your costs year to year so you can forecast future needs with more confidence.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Organizations like the CPSC and ASTM provide valuable safety standards, and groups like the NRPA and NPPS offer education, training, and certification programs. Most equipment manufacturers also provide maintenance guides, often available to download online—use them.
Good communication builds trust.
Share your maintenance updates with school administrators, church committees, or park boards. Let users know in advance about scheduled closures or repairs.
And if something goes wrong, being able to show that you’ve been diligent in your maintenance goes a long way.
At the end of the day, a playground is more than a collection of slides and swings—it’s a safe place for growth, friendship, and discovery. And keeping it safe doesn’t need to be complicated. Implementing a clear maintenance plan will improve the longevity and safety of your playground.
With a clear plan, a little consistency, and the right team in place, you’ll have a playground that serves your community well for years to come.
Want help building or updating your playground maintenance plan?
Contact our team at AAA State of Play; we'll be happy to assist with advice, planning tools, or even a free consultation! Let’s build something that lasts—and keeps kids safe.
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Kelly has been a CPSI-certified playground inspector for several years. Her passion for play and attention to detail bring immense value to every playground she brings to life, and with her years of experience, every playground she visits is made better for her having been there. In her leisure time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family.
