STRONG FOUNDATIONS
Increase play and recreational value with dynamic surfacing choices
Play and recreation environments are a critical component of healthy families and communities and the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children. It is essential that children and families are provided with opportunities to engage in meaningful play and recreation experiences that enrich their lives and create lifelong memories. Providing users with compliant environments will allow them to be as physically active as possible while growing healthy and strong, and in turn positively affect families and communities.
While much attention is given to the selection of equipment to encourage active behavior, the surfacing component is generally regarded for its safety enhancements alone, but not as a dynamic component that adds enjoyment to the space. In actuality, surfacing offers a number of ways to infuse play and recreation value into the overall design of the environment. It can provide multisensory features, provide visual appeal, promote engagement, and encourage creativity and imagination, while amplifying playful learning, physical activity, and socialization.
Playground, fitness, and outdoor recreation equipment is often selected based on perceived entertainment value, innovation, and developmentally appropriate activities. The same criteria should be taken into consideration regarding surfacing options and features that can be strategically included to increase the overall play value and increase the user experiences of any outdoor environment.
SURFACING ENVIRONMENTS
• Play areas
• Outdoor fitness settings
• Water play areas and fountains
• Dog parks
• Landscapes and gardens
• Trails and pathways
• Picnic areas
• Multiuse recreation spaces
Depending on the form and function of your play or recreational area, there are a number of choices you can make in regard to surfacing. The budget, the amount of use the playground or recreational area gets, your ability to maintain the surface, and other factors will help facilitate playground and recreational area surfacing selections.
Choosing surfacing that enhances the outdoor recreation experience
Surfacing should meet appropriate guidelines, be readily available in your area, and meet requirements for durability, drainage, and accessibility. Consider climate, maintenance cost, and other variables before choosing. Your supplier can help decide what is most appropriate for each condition.
Surfacing options are generally divided into two categories: loose-fill and unitary. These options can be combined in a variety of ways or used alone to create excitement through:
PLANNING
• Color options to provide visual cues, organization, games, or patterns
• Texture and design to promote sensory-rich experiences
• Loose parts play opportunities to support spontaneous and imaginative games
• Theming to promote identifying factors, imagination, and encourage physical activity
• Games and activities to enhance sportsmanship, rule adherence, and encourage physical activity
• Hills & mounds to provide points of view, physical activity, and change of topography
• Fitness-based activities like dot drills, agility ladders, and sprint measurements to encourage greater participation and movement
• Accessible routes of travel to create interesting experiences and foster increased connectivity
When planning an environment’s surfacing, be proactive and carefully consider the specific site needs, goals, and vision. It’s always a good idea to meet with the local community to get ideas on how they would use the space. Once these options have been explored, a vendor can help by presenting options to help narrow the selection, create a budget, raise funds for execution, and utilize marketing to help promote the project and processes along the way.
Surfacing is successful when an appropriate roadmap to plan, purchase, and protect the investment is observed.
PURCHASING
Once the budget, goals of the project, and the overall scope have been determined, it is important to take into account some key considerations to support the purchasing process of surfacing. There are a variety of ways to evaluate potential vendors and establish selection criteria that will help ensure quality product, a high-quality project, and a trusted and reliable supplier partner.
PROTECTING
Protecting the surface begins with ensuring that all of the correct steps are taken during installation in regard to drainage, slope, thickness, and installation procedure. To make sure the new surface will last, proper installation and maintenance are necessary. Maintenance and repairs may vary depending on the type of surfacing, its usage, the environment, and other circumstances. In some cases, repairs may be needed to extend the life and performance of the surface.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS ® ™
Planning, Purchasing, & Protecting Play and Recreational Surfacing
Choosing an appropriate playground surfacing is one of the most important factors in developing a safe outdoor play and recreational environment. This useful resource was created to raise awareness about some considerations to make when planning, purchasing, and protecting a play and/or recreational surfacing investment. The book includes:
• History of play and recretional surfacing
• Standards and criteria
• Enhancing the user experience
• Surfacing applications, types, and accessories
• Planning, purchasing, and protecting your investment
• Sample inspection checklists
Case examples are highlighted to provide a comprehensive overview on the features and benefits of the variety of types of safety surfaces available, and share success stories across a wide variety of installation and location types.
Join the movement and learn the true value of surfacing, and the many ways it can help enhance a play and recreational environment. To request the full resource, visit playcore.com/strong-foundations
765-7563