Don’t underestimate the value of maintaining your playground or recreation area on a regular basis. Regular tasks like washing, surface maintenance, and bolt inspections and repairs will protect your investment for many years.
Installation Tips
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Maintain protective surfacing at least 6 feet out in all directions from play equipment. For swings, surfacing should extend in back and in front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
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Use your local resources wisely. Find volunteers with skills, equipment, and time to help with your build.
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Check for hidden hazards during routine inspections, like open S hooks and protruding bolt ends.
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Do regular ground checks for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
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Planning a community build? Set your posts—or at least the core—of your playspace the day before to ensure a speedier completion on build day.
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Have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel—or safety-tested rubber or rubber-like mats—under equipment at all times.
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If your facility does not have a maintenance department, establish a volunteer crew of community members to do maintenance work on a regularly scheduled basis.
