A use zone is the area under and around the playground equipment where a child might fall. A use zone should be covered with protective surfacing material and extend a minimum of six feet in all directions from the edge of stationary play equipment such as climbers and chin up bars. Swings require a much greater area for the use zone. It should extend two times the height of the pivot or swing hanger above the surfacing material in front of and behind the swings seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do playgrounds cost?
Playgrounds vary greatly in cost and can range anywhere from $2,000 to over $100,000. When developing a budget for your playground important factors to consider are the number of children that will use the playground at any given time and the age of those children. Safety surfacing for playgrounds (that cushions and protects children when they fall) can vary greatly in cost also. Engineered wood fiber has a less expensive initial investment than synthetic rubber surfaces but requires more maintenance and does not last as long as the synthetic pour in place and tile surfaces.
How can I address my playground's surfacing?
Choosing surface materials can be a complex and confusing decision. There are many types and brands of surfacing materials on the market. What's important to understand is that there are only four surfaces that meet current national safety standards, and they can be placed in two categories: loose-fill materials, like sand, gravel, shredded wood products; and unitary materials, like rubber mats or poured in place rubber-like materials. Grass, soil, packed dirt, rocks, concrete and asphalt are among those that are not approved safety surfaces.
Is there a lot of maintenance to be done on playgrounds?
The most common maintenance work that needs to be done regularly is ensuring that the safety surfacing is kept up. Engineered wood fibers must be raked and kept at a consistent depth, while synthetic rubber surfaces must also be kept clean. The maintenance for a playground structure varies greatly depending on the quality and type of materials used to construct the playground. Wooden materials require more maintenance than steel, and steel more maintenance than aluminum. Selecting a playground equipment company that has IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association: provides a third party certification service that validates that the equipment meets all standards) certified equipment and has a solid warranty will insure high quality and low maintenance costs for your playground. No matter what kind of playground your community has, someone should be responsible for regularly inspecting the playground space.