Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Playground

Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Playground

Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Playground

Increasing access to playgrounds has provided numerous benefits for children of all ages. One of the biggest benefits of playground equipment is that it boosts the amount of physical activity kids get. Children are also more likely to use a park that has a playground, and those who visit a park that has recently installed or renovated playground equipment are more likely to be active (since the new equipment seems extra exciting!).

These days, playgrounds are everywhere – and for good reason. A paper published in Active Living Research noted that there are more than 10,000 playgrounds located in major cities in the US. That figure doesn’t include the many playgrounds found in schoolyards or parks in small towns or smaller cities in the country, but it’s clear to see that having a playground on your property increases engagement within the community, no matter what size town you’re in.

 

More Than 10,000 Playgrounds Located In Major Cities In The United States

Playgrounds have certainly evolved since their earliest days. According to the National Trust for Historical Preservation, playgrounds were uncommon at the beginning of the 20th century. People that did build them didn’t design them for independent play. Instead, trained instructors used them as exercise centers or outdoor gymnasiums for children. These teachers were on hand to help organize the way kids played and to show them how to use the equipment.

Planning a playground today is a multi-step process with numerous factors to consider along the way. You want to examine the location of the playground, consider who will use it and think about ways to make it appealing and accessible to all children.

Read on below for the full guide, or navigate to specific sections using the links below!

Five Things to Consider When Developing a Playground Project Plan

At the beginning of the playground planning process, it helps to clearly outline what your goals are for the project, as well as whether your city or school has any restrictions that need to be taken into consideration. If you’re wondering how to plan a playground and where to start, having a general idea of these five things will help you decide what direction to take your playground.

1. Who Will Use the Playground?

Know What Age Group A Playground Is Intended For

Knowing who the playground is intended for will help you decide what type of equipment to install. Children play differently and are at various levels of development at different ages. For instance, a playground designed for a 5-year-old won’t appeal to a 12-year-old, and might not be the appropriate size for them. Likewise, toddlers and younger children will have difficulty using playground equipment designed for 5- or 7-year-olds.

You also want to consider the abilities of the people who will be using the playground equipment. As of 2011, all public playground facilities need to comply with the guidelines set forth under the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.

The guidelines require a playground to have equipment that is accessible to and usable by people of all abilities. Specifically, at least one of each type of ground-level play equipment needs to be accessible. If there are elevated structures, at least half of them must be able to be accessed via a ramp or similar piece of equipment. The playground’s surface must provide adequate cushioning for falls, and must also be able to accommodate wheelchairs.

Along with the age and ability levels of the children who will use the playground, another important step involved in playground planning is to consider the number of kids who will use the equipment at any time. Will there be entire classrooms full of children using the playground during recess or after school, or do you expect a smaller crowd to be on the equipment at a time?

2. How Much Space Do You Have?

When planning a playground for your city or town, consider the space allotted for the playground. Do you have a lot of room or just a small area that can be dedicated to the playground? Will your playground consist of multiple zones or areas designated for specific age groups?

One thing to keep in mind when building a community playground is that the playground area extends beyond the equipment itself. You’ll also want to provide a cushioned surface that goes beyond the bounds of the playground structures. Usually, you’ll want to allow for at least 6 feet of cushioned surfacing beyond the edge of the equipment. In the case of slides and swings, surfacing a larger area is usually recommended.

6 Feet Of Cushioned Surfacing

3. Are You Building From Scratch or Adding on to an Existing Playground?

Another thing worth considering before you begin a project is whether you’re starting completely from scratch, renovating existing equipment or adding features to a play area and leaving the older equipment intact.

If you’re renovating an older playground, are there any elements you’d like to keep or would you like a complete revamping of all equipment? If you’re adding on to an existing playground, how much space do you have between structures? You might not have that much freedom to add on to a playground if space is at a premium.

4. What Is Your Timeline?

Planning A Park Playground For Your Neighborhood

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were most playgrounds. If you’re planning a park playground for your neighborhood, think about when an ideal time to open it might be. Starting the planning process in the late summer or early fall might make sense if your goal is to have a new playground up and ready by spring. If you’re planning a playground for a school, starting the process in the early spring would give you enough time to have it ready by the beginning of the next school year.

5. What Is Your Budget?

While you don’t want money to dictate every decision you make about the playground, your budget will influence what you can and can’t do. One of the most important things to consider is where your money will come from for the project. Do you have a set amount of funding or can you arrange fundraising projects to raise more? If it’s the latter, you might be able to set a budget based on what type of equipment you want and the size the playground, then set a funding goal.

If you have a specific budget going into the project, you’ll need to tailor your plans to fit that budget. That might mean giving up some components of the playground or limiting its overall size and scope.

Take a big-picture look at the project when you are putting together your budget. Costs involved in the playground planning process go beyond paying for the equipment and installers. You might also need to consider:

  • The cost of permits
  • The cost of preparing the site (such as improving its drainage or slope)
  • The cost of ancillary equipment and features, such as new lighting or sidewalks
  • The cost of the surfacing equipment
  • The cost of shipping the playground equipment and surfacing equipment to your site
  • The cost of storing any materials, surfacing or tools off-site
  • The cost of installing the playground and surfacing and preparing the rest of the site

Analyzing the Playground Site and Determining Your Needs

Your playground location influences many factors of your project. For example, depending on the slope and soil quality of the playground site, you may need to do a considerable amount of prep work before the area is ready for equipment. The location also influences the ease of use of the playground and how easily people can get to it. Here’s what to examine when analyzing the playground site:

  • The slope. Most parents and teachers don’t want their kids playing somewhere that’s muddy or full of puddles. The slope of your site, or the shape of the surface, determines whether water pools in the area or drains away easily. Ideally, the slope of the site will allow water to easily flow away.
  • The soil type. Some types of soil are more likely to retain water than others, affecting the drainage in the area. On the other hand, some soil types, such as sandy soil, don’t hold water well at all. While sandy soil might be ideal for drainage, its looseness can also affect the stability of the area.
  • Nearby vegetation. Trees near the playground can provide shade to children and caregivers on a hot summer’s day. But you also want to think about the location of the roots of those trees and whether digging in the area will potentially cause them harm. You should also consider the quality and type of other plants in the area. While having a landscaped area by the playground can improve its appearance, you want to be careful about spraying those plants with pesticides, which can harm children. Another thing to think about is whether the plants in the area attract pests, such as rodents or wasps. If you’re going to add plants to the area, it’s best to stick with drought-resistant native varieties, which tend to require little maintenance.
  • Weather conditions. Pay attention to the weather around the playground site throughout the day. Does the sun beat down on it in during the afternoon? If so, it could be unbearably hot in the middle of summer. Is the area particularly windy? If so, children might not enjoy playing on the playground.
  • What’s underneath. You don’t want to hit a power or gas line when digging up the ground to install the playground. Nor do you want a utility company to have to dig up and disrupt your playground a few years after you build it. Contact utility companies in your city and confirm that there aren’t any lines or cables running directly under your potential playground site.
  • What’s nearby. A playground that’s near certain features, such as restrooms, picnic tables or parking, is going to be more appealing and easy to access than a playground that’s in a far-flung corner of the park. For safety reasons, it also helps to examine how close the playground will be to major roads or highways and whether there will be any fencing or barriers installed to keep children safe from traffic.

Fundraising for the Playground

Depending on where you are building the new playground, you may need to fundraise to get the money you need to cover the costs of the new equipment and installation. Fundraising can take many forms, including asking parents at your school to chip in to cover the costs. You can also put together individual fundraisers, such as having a bake sale or a car wash, to raise money for your playground project.

Grants are another way to get funding for a playground. Finding grants can be a bit like digging for a needle in a haystack. There are many possibilities out there, but you might not know where they are or if your project qualifies for them. A few places to look for grants include:

  • Local, state or federal government
  • Large businesses
  • Non-profit organizations

If you are going to apply for grants, the sooner you start looking, the better. Since grants are essentially free money, the competition for them tends to be fierce. Taking the time to put together a stand-out application and to explain why your group or organization deserves funding will help your grant stand out from the rest.

Another way to manage the costs of a new playground is to consider leasing equipment instead of purchasing it outright. When you lease playground equipment, you make monthly payments instead of a single upfront payment. Leasing can eliminate the need for extensive fundraising, help your organization better manage its cash flow and offer tax deductions over several years.

Choosing Equipment For Your Playground

Choose Playground Equipment Based On Age Range, Accessibility, And Theme

Today’s playground equipment includes much more than just swings and slides. You can choose equipment based on age range, accessibility and theme. Playground structures can include bridges, climbing towers and play panels. You could also consider freestanding equipment, such as spring riders and geodesic climbers.

When you’re picking out equipment for a playground, it’s important to keep in mind the people who will be using it – the kids. If you’re not sure what type of equipment children will want to use, the best thing you can do is ask them. You can let children design their dream playgrounds and use those models to guide your decision-making.

Another option is to hold focus groups with kids and parents and show them different playground layouts and themes. Ask the kids and their guardians what they think of each design, what stands out to them and if they’d like to see any elements included in the design samples in the playground.

Types of Playground Equipment

The different types of playground equipment include:

  • Structural equipment: Think of this as the equipment that makes up the larger structure of a playground. It can include one or more slides, towers, ramps, decks, and bridges.
  • Freestanding equipment: This includes any equipment that’s not attached to the primary structure. It can include freestanding swings and slides, spring rockers, climbers and accessories.
  • Fitness equipmentFitness equipment includes structures that encourage kids (and adults) to work out while playing.
  • Site amenities: Site amenities aren’t necessarily part of the playground, but help to improve the playground experience for all involved. They include things like bike locking racks, benches and trash bins.
  • Inclusive equipment: Inclusive equipment makes a playground inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities. Examples of inclusive equipment include buddy rockers and roller slides.
  • Shade structures: Offering some shade, such as a large umbrella that stretches over a playground structure, will help keep the playground comfortable even in the heat of summer.

Developing Playground Project Plans

Choosing the equipment for your playground is just the first step of your planning process. The next step is to figure out how to put that equipment together in a way that makes sense for your particular needs and that works with your budget. Usually, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a playground design expert at this stage to help you decide which options are best for you.

Enlist The Help Of A Playground Design Expert

A design expert can help bring your playground to life, by taking your sketch or idea and transforming it into a full-fledged playground. When putting together a children’s playground plan, are a few components your design expert might consider during the planning process:

  • Type of materials to use. Usually, wood isn’t used at all, since wood cracks and wears quickly. Metal is also often avoided. The type of material that is best for your playground might depend on where you live and the conditions of your climate.
  • Style of the playground. Some playgrounds are bright and eye-catching, while others blend in with the landscaping around them. Some have distinct themes, such as fire trucks or outer space, while others are meant to appeal to a modern aesthetic. Your design expert can help you determine the best overall style to use.
  • Number of components and layout of those components. Part of planning the playground will involve choosing the equipment and deciding on the size of certain areas. For example, if more 2- to 5-year-olds will use the playground than 7- to 10-year-olds, it might make more sense to have a larger tot lot and a smaller area designated for school-aged kids.

Preparing the Site for Installation

Prepare The Playground Site For Installation

Once you have a plan ready to go, the next step is to prepare the playground site for installation. How much preparation your site needs depends on the condition it’s in before you begin your project.

If there’s existing playground equipment on the site, you’ll need to remove it if you’re completely redoing the area. You might be able to donate it to another organization, as long as it’s in good condition and lives up to safety requirements. If not, you might have to recycle it or sell it as scrap.

You may need to level the site if the slope or grade is too steep. You might also need to improve the soil to fix any drainage issues or make the ground more stable. This is also the time to call the utility companies and have them come out and mark any underground lines or give you the all-clear.

Once the soil is ready and the utility lines are marked, you can stake out the area for the playground and start digging.

Installing the Playground

You have a few options for physically installing the playground. One option is to hand the reins over to a team of professionals and have them install the playground themselves.

Another option, one that’s becoming more popular, is to have a community build. During a community build, a team of volunteers handles the heavy lifting and installation of the playground under the direct supervision of a professional who has experience in the steps involved in playground building.

Community builds have a few benefits over professional installation. For one thing, they help people feel more invested in the playground since they’ve built it themselves. They also help community organizations or local governments bond with the people they are serving. Community builds also cost less than professional installation, since you aren’t paying for labor.

Maintaining the Playground

Knowing How To Care For And Maintain A Playground

After so much planning and effort has gone into making a playground a reality, knowing how to care for and maintain the playground can help ensure that it lasts for many years to come. Maintaining the playground equipment means following the recommendations for care and repairs. Equipment should also be inspected on a regular basis to make sure it’s performing as it should and to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries.

Beyond maintaining the equipment itself, it can be helpful to have regular events to care for the playground and the park around it. For example, you might consider holding community cleanup days, during which neighbors and members of the community come out to pick up litter, clean their playground and take care of any trees or landscaping around it. Community days will help people continue to feel connected to their park and the playground you’ve built.

If this playground planning guide has inspired you to take the next step and get a playground project underway, Miracle Recreation™ is here to help. Contact us today, and a representative from Miracle Recreation can help you turn your playground project into a reality.

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Reimagining Gadsdenboro Park

Gadsdenboro Park in Charleston, SC has not always been the beautiful destination that it is today. This 5-acre park, formerly known as Concord Park, resides at the center of a 10-acre parcel that is bordered by Calhoun, Concord, Laurens and Washington streets. Gadsdenboro Park is positioned in the center of a vibrant tourist area, sitting in close proximity to many of Charleston’s attractions, including the new site of the International African American Museum and the South Carolina Aquarium. The park is also directly across from the Charleston Maritime Center. It was the proximity to the ocean and Maritime Center as well as Charleston’s history and reliance on the rivers that inspired the nautical theme for the new playgrounds at Gadsdenboro Park.

The site at Gadsdenboro Park had long sat vacant before the city devised the plan to develop the location into the bustling and picturesque park that visitors enjoy today. The land has a long history in the public realm. It began as a public housing site in the 1940s, known as the Ansonborough Homes complex. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc on the site through severe storms and flood waters. It was also later discovered that the grounds were contaminated by an old coal gasification plant, which led to the demolition of the homes in 1992. Though the contamination was cleaned up, the land remained a starkly vacant location for over a decade.

Paved walking paths allow easy access for park visitors to enjoy the many amenities of Gadsdenboro Park. Over 100 trees envelop the park, providing a charming oasis in the middle of a bustling tourist area.

In addition to the new park, plans are being developed for mixed-use development on the parcel, as well as the five-story Williams Terrace Senior Housing building which opened in June 2015. The $5.7 million park project created a destination for all to enjoy. Wrapped in trees, the park also includes soccer fields in the center, paved walking paths, game tables, adult swings, a bocce court, a custom fountain art feature and public restrooms, in addition to the two custom playgrounds for different age groups.

The striking red and black tugboat was designed for younger children, ages 2-5. The many custom components designed for the tugboat provide endless adventures for toddlers while also contributing a visually appealing structure to further enhance the aesthetics of the park.

Designing the Playgrounds

When the idea for the two playgrounds at Gadsdenboro Park began, the landscape architects for the project, the team at ColeJenest & Stone, sought to tie in the proximity of the water and the surrounding site through nautical themed playgrounds. The plan included a playground designed for ages 2-5, and a separate playground designed for ages 5-12.

The larger ship structure was designed for older children, ages 5-12. With taller slides and more challenging components, the innovative custom ship is designed to excite and engage older children seeking a bigger adventure in their play.

ColeJenest & Stone worked with the Custom Design Studio at Miracle Recreation Company to design two separate custom playgrounds for the park that tied into the nautical theme. This began with preliminary meetings to determine a design concept for the playgrounds. Once a direction was settled, the Architect and the Miracle Recreation Custom Design Studio met face-to-face to continue developing the project through the various stages of ideation to define the final designs for both playgrounds. To finish off, material and color selections were made to ensure the vision and expectations were ultimately met.

Kids can take the wheel and see in all directions as they control the ship. Freestanding with large openings, kids and parents have a 360 view of who’s in control.

Behind the small boat is an octopus with welcoming tentacles to promote both pretend and active play for the younger age group.

Features

The toddler playground features a tug-boat play structure and a surfacing Octopus structure to spark the imaginations of children. The tug-boat features a multi-level custom bow with crawl through access below deck containing portholes and vents for increased visibility. A custom wheelhouse with large windows and a moveable ship’s wheel resides in front of the towering smokestack while a custom boat race panel sits at ground level. Custom barriers were added on both levels to break the repetitiveness of vertical steel tubing. Age appropriate climbers and slides are part of the structure along with a Fun Fone from the smokestack to call out to the shore. A custom octopus can be seen peeking out of the surface to inspire additional creative play for the younger children.

Large openings and slats on the durable steel bow provide visibility, while offering multiple play opportunities at the lower and upper level.

From the stern, the younger age group can race down the Groove 2 slides and race their boats on the custom play panel at ground level. Park benches, fencing, lighting, and landscaping complement the playground while the fields are visible in the background.

Custom panels, entry barriers, and life preservers are used to help break the visual pattern of vertical lines.

The play areas for older children features an innovative ship structure designed to entertain older children seeking an oceanic adventure. Features include a custom bow with upper and lower access with portholes, vents and perforated steel on the upper level for visibility, and central access from rope and chain climbs to the 4’ level. The multi-level wheelhouse contains a moveable steering wheel, seating, a tube slide that wraps inside the structure, and lookouts to peer down below. Life preserver panels are visible throughout and custom barriers are again included to break the repetitiveness of vertical steel tubing.  Age appropriate climbers, slides, and play features fill the structure along with Kids’ Perches with Delight-O-Scope telescopes to the back of the bow and slightly above for added play.

A view from the ground to the towering wheelhouse with large openings to promote visibility. The tube slide provides a quick exit from above.

A view from the wheelhouse gives an impressive look of the bow and further points ahead. The bow is open at the center allowing access at several points. The barrier at the front is perforated steel to promote visibility while still providing a strong visual accent.

Bringing it All Together

Planning, designing, developing and constructing the entire park project required approximately 16 months. Construction began in January of 2014 and the Grand Opening was celebrated on May 16, 2015. Every detail was carefully planned and considered, from the special surfacing with a below-surface drainage system on the athletic fields to promote quick drying after heavy rains, to the more than 100 trees planted around the park. A commissioned art sculpture featuring oversized stainless steel birds above the water of a large water fountain is just one example of the many beautifully crafted elements that make this park special. That’s because, according to Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, “One of the most important things that a city does, and can do, is build a park, because parks are forever. Parks are for the citizens,” Riley said. “A building, maybe at some point in time, will be redeveloped or it might be changed. But if you build a park, it’s a public space forever.”

The custom multi-level wheelhouse gives kids the opportunity to take the wheel with a fantastic view and two thrilling slides options are available for quick exit.  The soccer fields are visible in the background.

Project Team:

  • PlayPower/Miracle Recreation’s Custom Design Studio/Churchich Recreation and Design
  • ColeJenest & Stone
  • AOS Specialty Contracting
  • Douwe Blumberg
  • Charleston Department of Parks
  • City Council of Charleston
  • Projects for Public Spaces
  • Charleston Mayor Joe Riley
  • ADC Engineering
  • Zeager Bros. Inc. Landscape & Recreation Surfaces

Ocee Park Re-Opens with Miracle Playground

Ocee Park, located in John’s Creek, Georgia, received a Miracle® Recreation Makeover this past month, with help from Hasley Recreation, Inc. A brand new state-of-the-art playground took the place of an outdated structure. Robby Newton, Parks Manager, led this project with safe but challenging play in mind. Two structures were completed in early April— one for children ages two to five, and another for five to twelve-year-olds.

Newton couldn’t have been happier with his decision to entrust Hasley Recreation with this project. “From a project management perspective, the recent John’s Creek Ocee Park Playground renovation with Miracle Recreation was extremely smooth, from the contract phase through the last pitch of engineered wood fiber! In fact, they finished two weeks ahead of my projected timeline!”

Ages 2-5

For the younger children, the structure includes climbing opportunities and slides, with Miracle Recreation’s new not-so-traditional Generation Swing (shown left), which allows for siblings, parents, grandparents, or caretakers to enjoy face-to-face swinging with a toddler. In addition, the climbing ramp provides a safe play experience for younger visitors.

Ages 5-12

For the older kids, Miracle Recreation brings back the thrill of play with a multi-level Mega-Tower® and the inclusive Avalanche Slide. This slide is the first and only accessible slide of its kind and allows children to access the slide from the ground level. From there, they can pull themselves up by gripping the side rail. Once they’ve reached the desired height, gravity whisks them down the slide. Also featured, the Backtrack Climber, a multi-directional climber, requires some strategic flip-flopping and challenges.

Inclusive Play

At Miracle Recreation, we believe that every child deserves a safe, interactive and enjoyable play environment, no matter their abilities. Robby Newton agrees. “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the new playground,” Newton said. The Ocee Park playground was created with many different ADA-accessible elements, including the Ten Spin (shown below), Avalanche Slide, and Therapeutic Swing Seats.

Since its opening, the Ocee Park playground has been flooded with satisfied visitors. “The kids are really enjoying the interaction with their parents or grandparents on the Generation Swing and I have received numerous compliments on the ‘playability’ of the Avalanche Slide and the Ten Spin! I hope to be working with Allison and Eric [Hasley] on future playground projects in my community,” said Newton.

About Miracle Recreation

Founded in 1927, Miracle Recreation is one of the leading commercial playground equipment sources in the nation. The company provides customized solutions for parks, schools, churches, communities and other large-scale projects designed for children of all ages and abilities. With an emphasis on innovation, Miracle Recreation strives to put the thrill into play spaces, delivering challenge, excitement, and fun for all.

About Hasley Recreation, Inc.

Hasley Recreation, Inc has been Miracle Recreation’s exclusive representative in the State of Georgia for 35 years. Family owned and operated, their team is dedicated to providing their customers with the highest quality products and exceptional customer service that has made them Georgia’s Premier Recreation Consultants since 1981.

 

Replacement Miracle Playground Installed at Joplin’s Cunningham Park to Mark One Year Anniversary of Joplin Tornado

Joplin’s Cunningham Park suffered severe damage as a result of the devastating EF5 tornado on May 22, 2011.  Located directly across from the former site of the badly damaged St. John’s Hospital, Cunningham Park featured two Miracle Recreation playgrounds, both of which were destroyed.  Nearly a year later and during the week of May 7th, Miracle Recreation installed replacement playgrounds with the help of volunteers and Miracle Recreation employees.

Located just over 40 miles from Joplin, Miracle Recreation’s manufacturing facility and offices employ many Joplin residents.  Several employees and their families were personally affected by the tornado.  “Our employees were deeply affected by the Joplin tragedy and it was important to us as a company and as a member of the community to help with the rebuilding process,” added Don Hemingway, Vice President of Business Development for Miracle Recreation’s parent company, PlayPower, Inc.  Immediately following the disaster in Joplin, Miracle Recreation implemented a “Playgrounds 4 Joplin” program, which generated a $25,000 contribution towards the replacement playground.

Proceeds for the purchase of the replacement playgrounds were provided by the City of Joplin and by Miracle Recreation through its $25,000 donation.  A local Miracle Recreation certified installation company and approximately 50 Miracle Recreation employees donated their time and services to install the playground equipment.  Additionally, Sam’s Club®donated bottled water, and SubwayTM provided lunch to the installation crew and volunteers during each day of construction.

The new playgrounds at Cunningham Park feature Miracle Recreation’s exclusive nature-themed Mega Tower® structure with 2-story towers and large twisting slides for children ages 5-12, and a smaller Tot’s Choice® structure for children ages 2 to 5.  Whereas the original playground equipment had capacity for only 80 children, the new playground structures are much larger and can accommodate up to 190 children.

Cunningham Park and the surrounding areas were the epicenter of the devastating damage in Joplin, making the revitalization and re-dedication of the park that much more important to the community. Miracle Recreation is honored to assist the City of Joplin, and excited and happy for its residents and visitors.

The official grand opening for the new playground at Cunningham Park will take place on May 22, 2012, as a part of the “Walk of Unity” event planned in observance of the first anniversary of the deadly tornado.  The walk will end at Cunningham Park with a special ceremony and a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tornado.

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!

Playground Fundraising

Playground Fundraising

Play areas can provide many benefits to your community, including building better social skills and physical strength in kids. Your community will appreciate having someplace to gather where their kids can play together. With budgeting and fundraising, you can make this project a reality and allow families in your community or students at your school to enjoy a space where they can learn, exercise and have fun.

Read the full article or jump to a specific section:

How to Raise Money for Playgrounds

How to Raise Money for Playgrounds

When planning to install a new playground in your community, you may not know how to raise money for playgrounds. Follow these steps to guide you through the fundraising process so you can bring your playground to your community efficiently and easily.

1. Gather Your Fundraising Team

To best prepare for your playground fundraiser, you will need a good team of dedicated individuals who can help make and carry out plans. When creating your team and splitting them into committees, diversify your teams to spread out strengths for better efficiency.

2. Establish a Budget

As you begin to prepare for your new playground, you will need to create a budget. Your project’s cost will depend on the scope and the equipment you plan to purchase. Generally, your budget should account for:

  • Site preparations: If you’re replacing an old playground with new equipment, this may be a more affordable project than creating a playground from scratch. For a new playground installation, you may need to start with site preparations, such as leveling the terrain or adding surfacing. If you’re replacing old play space, you’ll need to budget for taking down old equipment.
  • Equipment: The playground equipment itself is one of the major costs and is often what you’ll want to focus on in your fundraising efforts. Plan to purchase quality play equipment that is durable, safe and designed with inclusivity in mind.
  • Amenities: In addition to playground equipment, you’ll also want to consider site amenities for your playground, like benches, basketball hoops, litter receptacles, signs, picnic tables and other features.
  • Installation: Installing the equipment and amenities at your playground can carry an additional cost. Professional installation is generally a smart move since it ensures your playground equipment is safely and expertly positioned and anchored.
  • Maintenance: After your playground is installed, you’ll have ongoing costs to keep the playground well maintained. To save on costs, you may be able to get volunteers to help keep the playground clean and safe.

Additionally, you will want to establish any costs necessary to carry out your fundraiser, like supplies and equipment. Setting a clear budget will help establish fundraiser goals, as well as any limitations for fundraising.

3. Develop a Clear Plan with a Timeline

After you clearly outline your budget for your team and determine how much you will need to raise, you need to plan how you will raise that money. Your teams can then plan events that will target your community and best interest them. Creating a timeline of events and goals will help you best share your plans with the community so they can understand when to expect the playground and what they need to do to make that happen.

4. Determine Marketing Measures and a Thank-You System

Before you can put your plans into action, you will need to create any promotional material to share information with the public. Whether these are posters, emails or advertisements, use marketing materials to draw attention to your fundraiser. These materials should drum up enthusiasm about the playground and give donors a good reason to contribute.

Some areas you can emphasize include:

  • How fun and rewarding it can be to design and build a playground.
  • The value it will bring to your community or how it might attract new residents.
  • How the playground can contribute to ongoing efforts to improve public spaces.
  • The reach of your new playground, like how many families will live in its vicinity.
  • How the playground might support community and family goals like encouraging play, creating an inclusive space or introducing social opportunities.

As you determine how to best reach your community, you should also establish a system to thank donors for their contributions. Expressing your gratitude will make your donors feel good and appreciated for their efforts.

Kids playing with mini city equipment

How to Raise Money for a School Playground

Schools have some special considerations when it comes to playground funding. On the upside, schools may be able to evaluate their budgets to see whether there are funds they can allocate to a playground project. In many cases, this may be a good place to start, but your school may need to raise additional funds to fully cover the costs of the project.

When planning fundraising efforts, get your Parent Teacher Association (PTA) involved. An active PTA can get excited about the benefits students will experience from a new playground and organize efforts to fund this project. The more buy-in you can get among stakeholders across the school community, the higher chance of success your project has.

Playground Fundraising Ideas

Whether you’re planning to install a playground at your school, public park or private community, there are several ways you can help fund this project. Consider the following fundraising ideas for playground equipment and other costs so you can make this dream a reality for your community.

1. Approach Local Businesses

Local businesses can be a great resource for funding. While businesses of any size often donate a portion of their profits, small local businesses give 250% more to nonprofits and causes in their community compared to larger businesses.

See if any local businesses want to sponsor your playground project, and offer a way to recognize their donation. This can be a win-win since it provides a potential boost in brand awareness and reputation for the business. For example, you might include donors’ names on signs at the playground or plaques placed on benches or playground equipment.

2. Apply for Grants

Grants can be another avenue to explore. Charitable organizations may request grant applications to apply for funding. Another common source of grant funding is the government. Explore federal, state and local government funding opportunities and follow the guidelines provided as well as online resources to help you craft your grant application.

Generally, you want your grant application to lay out the “why” behind your project, highlighting the benefits that the community will experience. You should also show a level of detail and transparency that demonstrates your commitment to careful planning at every stage of this project.

Many people are happy to donate to a good cause, so try asking for help from individuals in the community.

3. Find Individual Donors

Sometimes, the best place to find funds is with the people who will be using the playground the most. Many people are happy to donate to a good cause, so try asking for help from individuals in the community. Some wealthy residents might be able to give large amounts, but a lot of small contributions can add up quickly, too.

This tactic can be especially effective if you offer some kind of recognition for their work, such as engraving their names on a plaque. You could also help people feel more involved with the project by attaching dollar amounts to building materials or playground components. People can “buy” a box of nails, some lumber or even a swing with their donations.

Individuals may also be able to “donate” their skills to your playground fundraiser by contributing in unique ways. A local lawyer might be willing to help with permits, or a special education teacher or physical therapist could lend expertise in creating an inclusive play space.

4. Host a Ticketed Event

Hosting fundraising events is another great strategy and can be an excellent way to get your local community involved. By hosting a ticketed event with a cover charge, you can be sure to bring in money for each attendee. You may be able to raise additional funds at the event through optional activities, sales or donations.

Examples of ticketed fundraising events include a:

  • Carnival
  • Talent show
  • Concert
  • Fun run
  • Gala

You may want to host multiple events appealing to different demographics in your community so you can increase community involvement and donations. For example, a 5K may appeal greatly to fitness enthusiasts, while a formal gala may be more attractive to some local philanthropists.

5. Hold a Sale or Auction

The good old-fashioned bake sale still earns its spot as a popular playground fundraiser idea. You can get the whole community involved by asking people to donate baked goods to be sold or auctioned off for your playground fund.

There are plenty of other types of sales you can host, too. Consider making one of your events an auction and asking local businesses and artists to donate items for the auction. People will enjoy the fact that they can give to a positive cause while purchasing an item to keep for themselves.

6. Sell Items Door-to-Door

You can also sell items door-to-door rather than through an event. This can be an effective way to widen your impact. Some popular items people in your community may want to buy include:

  • Coupon books for local businesses
  • Candy bars
  • Candles
  • Tote bags
  • Shirts
  • Flowers
  • Cookie dough

A simple option is to presell products and take down donors’ information so you can deliver their products or have them shipped to them at a later date. Or, in the case of small items like coupon cards or books, you can hand off the item at the moment of the transaction.

There are nearly endless ways you can sell items for fundraising purposes. Many companies offer information and catalogs for charitable organizations on fundraising opportunities. You may also be able to partner with local businesses to sell items or gift cards that they donate.

7. Connect With Non-Profit and Community Organizations

In many cases, building a playground aligns perfectly with the missions of non-profits and community organizations. Local churches, youth groups and service clubs like Rotary International are great places to start. These groups tend to revolve around community service, so they’re adept at raising money and making change.

Even if they can’t donate to you directly, they might be able to help you host playground fundraisers or encourage members to donate or volunteer.

The Benefits of Fundraising for Playgrounds

The Benefits of Fundraising for Playgrounds

Fundraising for parks or playgrounds in your community provides several benefits. Your team and your community can gain various skills and experiences, including:

1. More Public Awareness

Playground fundraising efforts are a great way to create buzz around your project. Depending on your event, you might end up on local news outlets and social media or become the talk of the town. You could reach new potential donors or volunteers and help people learn about your playground.

Raising awareness can also apply to the issues you’re working to address, such as a deteriorating public park or the health risks associated with a lack of play.

2. Lasting Change

A playground is permanent and helps you and your team bond and build relationships throughout the community. It’s a great way to create a real, positive change that stands in the community for years to come. Plus, the playground fundraiser might give people the itch to create more social change and jump-start their involvement in other projects!

3. Team-Building Opportunities

Your team and community will learn how to work together as they work toward funding their playground. As you create a space for kids and families to socialize, you’ll also be bringing the grown-ups together through this collaborative project. You could create new friendships and teams and show people how fun and rewarding social change really is.

4. Improved Communication Skills

Throughout the project, your teams will need to communicate with each other and the surrounding community to articulate goals, expectations, progress and gratitude. Team members may gain new communication skills they didn’t have before. While new skills are great for everyone, they can be especially useful for your younger helpers, who build up excellent skills and experiences to put on their resumes.

5. A Sense of Accomplishment

As your community works toward and reaches its goal, you’ll feel accomplished, as you were able to make it happen. Every time people visit their new playground, they can feel proud knowing they helped contribute to it. It becomes a physical testament to their hard work and the collaboration of the community as a whole.

When you begin fundraising for playgrounds, your community can grow from the experience in addition to receiving a new play area.

Learn More About Playground FunRaising With Miracle® Recreation

At Miracle Recreation, we help create high-quality playground equipment accessible for all communities, even when budgets are tight. That’s why we offer a funding resource center to help educate organizations and schools on the best ways to fund playground projects. There, you’ll learn how to set up and run your campaign, how to approach potential donors and other essential rules and tips to raise money for your playground.

Our FunRaising program helps communities like yours fund a playground installation project. We’ll help you create a plan that ensures you make sufficient profit through your fundraising efforts. We’ll also help you create materials like brochures, letters and fundraising packets. A FunRaising representative will help you out at every step of the way to make your fundraising efforts a success.

Get started today so you can make your playground project a reality and allow families to benefit from this asset to your community.

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