Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is considered the cheapest playground surfacing option at roughly $3-$5 per square foot. Relatively cheap and easy to install, Wood Mulch is one of the most popular playground surfacing options. It’s also organic, ADA compliant and eco-friendly for any outdoor space. Before installing the engineered wood fiber, the ground of your play area should contain a subsurface for rainwater damage and inhibit vegetation growth through the addition of a geotextile layer.
Engineered wood fiber is manufactured from wood inside of a tree, rather than the bark, and when compacted and properly installed, strollers and wheelchairs can cross over its surface. One downside is that maintenance and routinely checking up on wood fiber is required to make sure that it's topped off with adequate material when displaced. A regular maintenance schedule should be implemented to ensure the surfacing maintains its recommended depth.
The minimum requirement depth underneath play equipment for engineered wood fiber is nine inches, and must meet fall-height standards. An extensive amount of upkeep should be considered in order to maintain ADA compliance, as the surface can easily become uneven over time. Raking regularly is a great way to keep the wood fiber evenly distributed across the playground in order to adequately protect children.