Chapter 5:
What are some of the most common mistakes people make when building a playground? Mistake #2: The budget is not clear. This section is designed to help you avoid some common mistakes people make when building a new playground.
Mistake #1: Often the user experience is overlooked. When designing for a playground you should keep the enduser in mind. Visualise how the space is going to be used in the future. In this way, you can avoid any safety issues or discomfort that might arise and cause friction. Some things to think about are:
We’ve seen plenty of concepts and designs that were started without a discussion on the budget allocated for the project. Having an unclear budget can many cause issues down the track and result in disappointment when the concept you love turns out to be out of reach. It can also create delays ad problems when it comes to installation, causing corners to be cut that end up compromising quality and safety. This is why it’s important to agree on a budget from the very beginning stages of your project. Some things that get overlooked when budgeting include: •
Site set up and security.
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Demolition and disposal of demolition work.
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Removal and dumping of topsoil.
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Any retaining walls that need to be built to level the site.
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Is there enough shelter from the wind?
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Are there enough seating opportunities for the users?
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Is there enough shade and is it in the right place?
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Level and compaction of any base work.
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Will the surfacing get hot in direct sunlight and burn hands and feet?
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Drainage requirements to collect and drain any surface water.
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Is the slide facing north? If so, it might get very hot in the sun.
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Services like power, water, gas, etc that might run through the site.
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Supply and installation of shade.
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Landscaping, pathways, and planting.
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Cleaning and rubbish removal.
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