Key Considerations When Planning a Playground

Use Zones and Fall Heights

Surfacing

Loose Fill Requirements

Shade Structures

Swings

Installation Type

Playground Ages

Compliance

A use zone is defined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as the surface and area around a piece of equipment in which a child falling or exiting from the equipment would be expected to land. The space is designed to offer safety for the child if they fall or are exiting a piece of equipment and ensure no other equipment is in the way.

Plan for enough space for your equipment and cover the ground with the appropriate safety surfacing, keeping in mind that the surfacing and this area should always be clear of trikes and other toys that may injure a falling child. For easy planning, Play with a Purpose lists the use zone dimensions on all applicable products and provides a diagram in our catalog like the example to the right.

A fall height is defined by the CPSC as the vertical distance between the highest designated play surface on a piece of equipment and the protective surface beneath it. The fall height is also used to determine the amount of safety surfacing you need to prevent a life-threatening injury from a fall on the play space. For easy planning, Play with a Purpose lists the fall height on all applicable products in the spec charts.

You have options when it comes to choosing the best surface material for your playground. Use the chart below to determine the best surfacing for your needs!

Engineered Wood Fibers (EWF)

Rubber Mulch

Synthetic Grass or Turf

Rubber Tiles

Pour-in-Place
Surfacing (PIP)

Engineered Wood Fibers

It is suggested that you have a minimum of 9”-12” of depth for your playground. Under normal wear and weather conditions, wood fibers will settle about 3”.

 To calculate how much you need to purchase, follow the formula below:

• Multiply the dimensions of your use zone or the area you need to cover with the material. Make sure to include the depth of your material that you would like (.25 = 3”; .5 =6”; .75 = 9”; 1 =12”).
• Divide this number by 27 (number of feet in a cubic yard).
• Your result will be the number of cubic yards you need for the wood fibers.

Example: Use Zone is 22’ x 30’ and the depth of mulch is 12”.

22’ x 30’ x 1’ = 660’

660’/27 = 24.4

Cubic Yards Needed: 24.4 yards of Engineered Wood Fibers

*We recommend rounding your number up! The fibers will compact down so having a bit more is okay. Any extra can be used in high impact areas such as areas with slides or swings.

Rubber Mulch

Because rubber mulch does not compact like Engineered Wood Fibers, it is calculated using the fall height of the equipment in the area. If you are putting rubber mulch in the entire play area, base your depth off the piece of equipment with the highest fall height.

To calculate how much you need to purchase, follow the formula below:

• Multiply the dimensions of your use zone or the area you need to cover with the material. This will give you your total square feet.
• Decide on your depth of surfacing needed for your equipment.
• Divide your total square footage by either corresponding bag amount or bulk amount for the needed fall height.
• Your result will tell you how much mulch you need to order.

Example: Use zone is 18’ x 25’ and the max fall height for my equipment is 5’. According to the chart below, the depth of surfacing should be 4”, so the square feet per bag is 6 or the square feet per bulk is 300. 18’ x 25’ = 450 sq ft.

• If calculating bags, take 450 sq ft/6 = 75 bags of mulch.
• If calculating using bulk, take 450 sq ft/300 = 1.5 bulk.
• Bulk only ships in full quantities, so 2 bulk would need to be ordered. Or, you could order 1 bulk and 25 bags.

*We recommend rounding up your order slightly to account for extra mulch in high-impact areas such as areas with slides or swings.

Portable Canopy

Semi-Permanent Canopy

PermaShade Structure

Permanent ShadeSport Structure

All-Steel Structure

Bi-Pod Swing

Use Zone: Medium

Benefit: Most commonly selected

Tri-Pod Swing

Use Zone: Large

Benefit: Less flex side to side

T-Swing

Use Zone: Small

Benefit: Most compact swing

Arch Swing

Use Zone: Medium

Benefit: Modern design

Single-Post Swing

Use Zone: Medium

Benefit: Easiest to add additional swing bays

Infant Seat

Ages 6 mos. to 18 mos. (50lbs max)

Helps a child stay in their seat while
providing back support

Toddler Seat

Ages 18 mos. to 3 yrs (80 lbs max)

Front chain helps children
learn to pump their feet

Belt Seat

Ages 3 yrs and older

Offer the most freedom and movement

ADA Seat

Ages 2 yrs and older

Provides a safe swing for all abilities

In-Ground

Concrete footers are poured, and metal poles are installed into the ground for the playground. This is the best choice for permanence and durability, especially in colder climates where freezing and thawing often cause the ground to shift. This type of mount can be used on any surface.

On-Ground/Spike Mount

Ground spikes are inserted into the footers and help secure the playground to the ground. This option can be used on grass, dirt, or gravel.

Surface/Anchor Mount

Uses bolts to secure the playground onto a concrete surface. This option can only be used on a concrete slab.

Free Standing

The playground can sit freely on the ground and does not need any form of installation.

Because children at different stages of development have different needs, it is very important to make sure the playground you select is appropriate for the age group that will be using the equipment.

• 6 - 23 Months: Refers to playgrounds designed for toddlers
• 2 - 5 Years: Refers to playgrounds designed for preschool children
• 5 - 12 Years: Refers to playgrounds designed for school-age children
• 2 - 12 Years: Overlap between pre-school and school age. These playgrounds are great for schools with multiple ages and is allowed if the playground is used at different times for these age groups.