How to Budget for a New Playground Structure

Playtime for children is often underestimated compared to time spent in the classroom. This time is essential for healthy development. From playtime, children can learn helpful skills they will need to navigate life. They can discover how to interact with others and build their confidence as they navigate various play situations, all while having fun.

How do you go about budgeting for that much-needed playground? Follow our guide for new playground structure financial planning.

Read the full article or jump to a specific section:

How Much Does a Playground Cost to Build?
How to Fund Your Playground Project
Planning and Budgeting Strategies
Partner With Miracle® Recreation to Build Your Playground

How Much Does a Playground Cost to Build?

Playgrounds are essential for communities, whether they are part of schools, faith centers, daycares or public spaces. While playgrounds serve as vital spaces for childhood development, constructing them can be a considerable investment. As a result, it’s important to understand a complete playground cost breakdown.

Playground Equipment and Accessories

Every playground features unique components, and some equipment and accessories are more expensive than others. Depending on the space you plan to use for the playground, you may need to invest more money to fill it with suitable structures. As a general rule, you should expect to pay about $1,000 for every child.

If you’re building a playground for a specific purpose, such as to accommodate a specific group of children, you may need to invest in highly specific equipment that could cost more. Equipment quality is another component to consider as you browse options. While selecting well-made options from trusted brands might require you to pay more, you can enjoy cost-savings that come with longevity and fewer maintenance requirements.

When allocating funds for a new playground structure, prioritizing budget for safety surfacing is paramount to ensure the well-being of children at play. Investing in high-quality and compliant safety surfacing not only minimizes the risk of injuries but also contributes to the longevity and sustainability of the entire playground, making it a crucial aspect of any well-rounded budgeting strategy.

The shipping costs for materials will also contribute to your overall playground costs, so inquire about shipping costs when ordering equipment and factor them into your budget.

Installation and Maintenance

After you’ve ordered your equipment, you will need to install it. Installation costs include the labor to remove any existing equipment and install the new equipment. Working with a professional in this step is essential — it helps ensure the playground meets compliance standards.

Ongoing maintenance is also essential. Regular landscaping and equipment repairs can contribute to the playground’s durability and appearance.

Features and Components for Accessibility

Every child deserves the chance to play. When building an inclusive playground, it’s crucial to have open and wide routes to the playground and safety surfacing that is easy to maneuver with a wheelchair or mobility device. Inclusive playground features include smooth ramps, handrails and easy-to-use grab bars. These updates — along with potential inspection expenses — will add to your total playground costs.

How to Fund Your Playground Project

The cost to build a playground will vary based on the equipment you choose, the labor required to install the equipment and other factors specific to your situation, such as building permits. As a result, you’ll need to build a budget that can help you achieve your playground goals.

From your estimation, you might realize that you need funding to create the playground your community needs. There are various funding opportunities available depending on where you’re building your playground.

School Budget

If your playground is part of a school, you may be able to fund part or all of the project through the school’s budget. Work with the relevant stakeholders to determine how much the school may be able to contribute to your playground.

Parent Teacher Associations

When building a playground for a school, parents and teachers are valuable assets. In some cases, they may be able to assist in fundraising efforts for playground equipment. Speak with the parent teacher association to see how you can work together to raise money.

Grants

Various organizations focus on grant funding for new playgrounds. Conduct research online and speak with professional connections to source grant opportunities that meet your project goals and requirements. Then, you can work with your team to submit an application.

Private Donors

Another viable funding method is reaching out to private donors. These donors might include businesses in the community, school alums and people with a history of donating to projects like yours. To make it worthwhile, you can present them with the opportunity to honor them for the donation by displaying donor plaques on benches or laying bricks with donor name engravings.

Planning and Budgeting Strategies

As you pursue various funding options, it’s important to plan properly. After you assess your needs and build a budget based on your estimations, keep the following points in mind:

Create a campaign for your project: Part of attracting funding, especially from private donors, is making your project stand out. Donors want to know what your project involves — in other words, how will you allocate their donations? By creating a campaign that details your project’s design, timeline and other key information, you can give donors the information they need to make a confident donation.
Look into multiple funding opportunities: There are various funding opportunities available, and you can pursue multiple avenues to help you work toward your goals. Whether you’re building a new play structure for a daycare or redoing a playground for a church, there are sure to be many stakeholders and community members who want to get involved.
Allocate a fund for maintenance and repairs: After installation, the playground will require routine maintenance to keep it looking appealing and working properly. If applicable, it could be beneficial to dedicate a specific part of your funding search to building a fund specifically for these costs.

Partner With Miracle^® Recreation to Build Your Playground

Playgrounds are essential for communities, as they allow children to engage in active play. That said, building a new playground or replacing an existing structure can be a notable investment, requiring builders to seek funding and plan properly.

Budgeting correctly for the project will enable you to provide a fun, educational space for children without compromising on the quality of equipment. Partnering with an experienced business that understands the needs of a playground project can help you create a memorable play space while keeping the endeavor financially viable.

Miracle Recreation has extensive experience providing playground structures that engage children. Our playground structures are suitable for various markets, including public parks, schools, daycares and commercial use. Our knowledgeable team can work with you to determine your project requirements and goals and work from there to help you choose the best solutions.