Upgrading Playground Equipment
Great ways to revamp an aging playground

Building a brand-new playground takes a lot of time and money; unfortunately, more often than not, it’s time and money that schools, churches, neighborhoods and communities don’t have. There are several ways to get funding to build a new playground – donations, fundraisers, grants, etc. – but before you commit all that time and effort, make sure a new playground is what you really need.
Playgrounds get a
lot of usage and tend to get weathered down pretty quickly – this
doesn’t mean a playground needs to be replaced when it starts to show
signs of aging. More often than not, updating a few worn elements of the
playground will restore it to “like-new” status and you can save the
fundraising and grant writing for when you really need it!
Here are some great ways to revamp an aging playground:
- Add Shade Protection.
Not only do fabric shade
structures protect the playing children from harmful UV rays and random
bouts of weather, but it also keeps the equipment cool. If you have ever
been to a playground in the afternoon/evening, after it’s been sitting
in the full sun all day long, you know what kind of value a shade
structure brings to the table.
- Upgrade Surfacing.
The most common kind of
surfacing seen on playgrounds is loose fill of some kind - engineered
wood fiber (wood mulch) or rubber mulch. Upgrading from loose fill to a
smooth, unitary synthetic safety surface is something we highly
recommend. Unitary safety surfacing is easier for all kids to maneuver,
especially those who are in a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
- Add a Modern Element.
Kids today are all about
technology. Smart play involves a mobile game system that blends the
digital play that kids love today with the active outdoor play and
joyful imagination that they need to aid proper development. Biba
,
a leader in smart-play technology, has created a collection of
smart-play apps for parents to play with their kids on smart
playgrounds; just download the free app and begin playing!
- Add Inclusive Elements. You should strongly consider making the playground elements you update inclusive. Every child deserves a safe, interactive and enjoyable play environment; and for this reason, inclusive playgrounds are becoming more and more popular. Having a playground that is accessible and has options for children with disabilities as well as typical children is the best way to ensure your playground is up-to-date.
Anything that is broken should be replaced, obviously, but also take into account the play patterns of the kids using the playground. What equipment is popular? What is least popular? What time of day is busiest for your playground? Are there children with disabilities who visit and are unable to fully participate? Watching the play patterns of kids at your playground will help you get the most bang for your buck when deciding what to update.
To learn more about inclusive play, or for information on playground equipment, contact us today for a free consultation. We would love to help you bring your park and playground ideas to life!





