Spring is Coming! Is Your Playground Ready?

Spring is Coming! Is Your Playground Ready?

Days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and it’s that time of year when everyone is itching to get outside, especially children.   Now that Spring is almost here, have you taken the steps to make sure your outdoor playground equipment is safe and ready for use?

Every park, school, and recreation department should have a maintenance schedule in place for their playground equipment.  This includes checking for appropriate surfacing levels, loose hardware, evidence of vandalism, and any and all items that could pose a safety threat to children when using the playground equipment.

Many playground safety websites offer comprehensive checklists that can be used to ensure every item on the playground meets certain safety criteria.  Playground maintenance and repair can seem like a daunting task. Don’t be afraid to ask for volunteers and encourage community involvement in your park and playground upkeep.

If your playground is looking a little worse for the wear and posing safety threats that aren’t an easy fix, it might be time to consider investing in new equipment.  Many older playgrounds are not compliant with current safety rules and regulations, by investing in new equipment you can ensure your playground equipment is safe and accessible for children of all abilities.  Many commercial playground equipment manufacturers can even offer replacement programs with discounts towards the purchase of new equipment.

Don’t forget, children need over 60 minutes of physical activity a day! Let’s get outside and PLAY!