Looking To Build A Playground? Follow These Simple Steps To Know How.
Growing up from a toddler to a teenager and then calling yourself an adult is a long journey. A journey that’s mixed with emotions and activities that one, years later, refers to as nostalgia.
For a child, growing up in a natural habitat of open spaces where playing options are conducive and fun is extremely essential. Not only does that stimulate in them the right balance of physical and mental aperture but also gives them the right boost.
And now that we have already established that, let us look at the how.
Pre-requisites To Building A Playground
How do we build playgrounds? What are the materials, methodology, and best practices that we can deploy to build one? What are the prerequisites and the standard practices one should keep in mind?
Let’s explore that.
Primarily when we are looking at a playground for both commercial and residential purposes, the main focus is upon the age group of kids we assume are going to be using it. With that in mind, we can dig into our pre-requisites and design the layout.
Simultaneously, when we are dealing with children in this age bracket (minors in general), safety cannot be stressed enough. Yes, they need the freedom to express themselves but at no cost are we to compromise on their safety. And to ensure that, the layout design must establish all the necessary precautions in place before you open it up to these young ones.
A playground, to effectively combine safety and fun, should take care of the following:
The Foundation
First and foremost, we look at what the foundation of the space should be, on which the playground would be prepared. There are numerous options for the same, from the frequently used gravel and sand to rubber mulch and tiles. While each has its own pros and cons, deciding between loose-fill and rubber flooring is a crucial step. After all, both have a list of possible alternatives under them as well.
It is only after you’ve successfully laid the foundation in place can you move onto the next steps in the process.
Separation of Space
Designers must be aware of the space provided within the play area limits. You don’t want too many amenities to be cramped up within the area.
Additionally, some space should be left for them to use their imagination and discover/ create new games of their own. This increases and tests their cognitive ability and a chance for them to think outside the box at an early age. Sand boxes are a great example of the same.
Play Equipment
Once the foundation and layout of the space are adequately taken care of, its time to move to the next step. That is, choosing the equipments and playsets you wish to install in the playground. Ensure that you choose the kind which are safe as well as fun for kids.
Oftentimes, in an attempt to distinguish themselves from others, architects end up choosing games that are either too complex for the kids or just not fun. But that ends up making this play area project a failure for them. Keep in mind that this space is especially for kids and play and position the playsets in there accordingly.
Fencing
Fencing is an essential part of any playground — be it the one you’re making in your backyard or one you’re putting up for the entire community. Since it is a children’s space, their safety has to be kept in mind at all times and a fence can help extensively with that.
You can use anything from brick walls and wooden barriers to vinyl and aluminium barricading for this cause.
Regular Feedbacks
When building something for children, we cannot be entirely sure what and how their reaction would be.
While the good thing about children is that they’ll always be willing to try something new, the bad part could be the fact that once their mind is made up, they wouldn’t really budge. In scenarios like these, it is advisable to build the place in small segments. This can be accompanied by taking regular feedbacks from the children about the construction done so far.
Depending upon their response, we can easily add or remove the playing amenities, widen or shorten the empty spaces, and provide for new recreational places.
Proper Permits
Regardless of whether you’re building the playground for your own kids in your backyard or in an open community ground for all children to use — obtaining the appropriate permissions for the same is necessary. These can be applied for through your local municipal corporation.
Also to be kept in mind are the various construction codes you need to follow as mandated by the municipality. Since each corporation can have a different set of rules in regards to a playground, take time to go through the ones that apply on you. It is advisable to do this before you start building so that you know exactly how you need to plan the layout and design.
Closing Thoughts
What we ultimately want when building a play are for kids is that they not only use them but enjoy as well, while being as safe as possible. By following the simple steps shared above, you can develop a playground just like that.
