Playground 101

How to get from Point A to Point Play

Not sure where to start your playground journey? Have no fear. We’ve mapped out the five essential steps to get you started. Use this roadmap as your primer, then click the links at the end of each step if you’re ready to learn more.

Click on each section title to expand

There are a gazillion ways to play and a gazillion ways to build a playspace. Establishing clear objectives for your project upfront will ensure you make the best decisions down the road. Here are some questions to consider as you outline your project goals:

Your Audience

• What age ranges will your playspace serve: preschoolers, school-age children, teenagers, adults or all of the above?
• Do you want to create a playspace where multiple generations can play together?
• How many people should your playspace serve at one time?
• Are there people with special needs to consider?

Your Site

• Does your site have any space constraints or unique features?
• Will you need to prepare the site (e.g., tree removal, leveling)?

Your Budget

• What is your budget for the entire project?
• Do you have fundraising goals?
• Are there local sponsorship opportunities you can pursue?
• Are you planning a community build?

Your Vision

• Do you want a traditional playground or a playspace with the latest technology?
• Do you want to create a community gathering place where all ages have a way to play?
• Is there a specific look you want to achieve?
• Are there specific pieces of equipment you want to include?
• Does your project have special meaning (e.g. a memorial park, a community morale booster)?

Need help defining your vision?

Visit our multimedia Imagine gallery to read real stories from successful playspace projects from around the world. Get inspired.

Find a playground consultant who you can trust with every aspect of the playspace building process, from planning to installation and all points in between.

You don’t have to look far to find a good consultant. Playworld Systems has built a global network of local, authorized Playworld representatives to work with you one-on-one to brainstorm, design, and build the playspace of your wildest dreams. Your Playworld representative’s services can include:

• Full installation services
• Custom maintenance program
• FREE site evaluation and inspection
• FREE custom playground design and layout
• FREE safety and risk management consultation
• FREE accessibility consultation
• FREE budgeting and fundraising advice

Find a Representative

Locate the authorized Playworld Systems representative in your community. Go.

How will you make your playspace happen? There are four types of critical resources that go into successful playspace planning.

Your Team

Reach out to local residents, organizations, and professionals who can lend their diverse expertise to different facets of your project. Then organize them into committees around skill sets. Committees can help with fundraising, design, maintenance, and more.

Your Time

Set up a timeline that works from the grand opening date backwards, with smaller milestone deadlines—such as design finalization, site preparation, and equipment delivery—built in between.

Your Site

Select a site that has ample space for not only play equipment, but also for amenities like parking and restrooms. The space should be relatively flat, have adequate drainage, and be large enough to accommodate both active and quiet play areas.

Your Budget

Realistically account for all your projected expenses—including equipment and installation—then research all the different ways you can raise the necessary funds.

Need budgeting assistance?

Budgeting can be the most challenging phase of your project. Our online Budgeting section can help you make sense of it all. Go there.

Next up: your custom design session. Your Playworld representative will work with you in person to design your very own playspace using powerful interactive design tools that let you arrange and rearrange your layout in real time until we’ve created a design that’s just right. No time wasted waiting for revisions!

When your design is complete, we can provide you with all the support materials you need to lead team meetings, fundraising efforts, and community outreach presentations:

• Full proposal and presentation in any format you require, including rich multimedia
• 3D renderings of your design
• Promotional materials, including 3D-illustrated posters

Start designing your playspace

Find the perfect equipment for your playspace in our Playsystem & Product Galleries. Go there.

It’s time to make your playspace a reality. Your Playworld representative will discuss various installation options with you, including:

• Professional installation by Playworld Systems
• Playworld-supervised installation using your own team of installers
• All-volunteer community build

Now is also the time to review warranty and maintenance information with your Playworld representative and your team to ensure that your investment will be a source of joy for years to come.

Learn more

Find out what to expect during your installation—and get handy maintenance advice—in our Build section. Go there.

Share what you learned with your planning team. Download the complete Playground Planning 101 guide now.