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Selecting the right safety surfacing can be challenging. All surfacing should meet or exceed ASTM 1292 guidelines, which measure impact attenuation from a given height. This safety measure is critical for material thickness, fall zones and general-use areas. Another key criterion is ADA accessibility, particularly for access to playground pieces.
Surfacing Considerations
Selecting surfacing typically comes down to cost versus long-term maintenance needs. After the cost of playground pieces, the cost of safety surfacing tends to be the second most costly item in the facility. Keep in mind the needs of the users when evaluating heat absorption, abrasiveness, toxicity, maintenance needs, color selection and appropriate selection for activity use. Most manufacturers can provide you with data on many of these items, including recycled content, lifecycle cost and maintenance needs, and they will gladly answer any concerns that would impact the safety needs of children.
Building a Destination Playground
The recent destination playground in Brentwood, Missouri, designed by SWT Design in collaboration with the park and recreation team, is an inclusive facility that uses poured-in-place rubber surfacing, synthetic turf and engineered wood fiber. The 2.5-acre playground features five distinctive play areas, each with different safety surfacing to enhance the play experience. Surfacing can engage the sensory experience through touch, sight, sound and smell, adding to the overall play value.
Poured-in-place rubber surfacing offers design flexibility with many color combinations and thickness options. This surfacing was used for the family play area, which includes ground-based slides, swings, spinners and other activities. Color pools were placed under swings, slide exits and high-wear areas. The topcoat of color needs replacement every four to five years, depending on play frequency. Light colors help with light reflectivity and reduce heat absorption.
The big climber features a 22-foot-high rope climbing structure with various ground-based activities. Synthetic turf was selected to create a year-round lawn-like appearance. The adjacent hillsides use synthetic turf along with natural stone, wood log cookies and landscape. This surfacing requires more maintenance with seam repairs and crumb infill. A unique play benefit discovered by kids is sliding down steep hillsides on cardboard pieces.
The 110-foot ground-based dual zip line uses engineered wood fiber. This surface is ideal for high-use areas. Weekly inspections are performed to redistribute the surfacing and ensure fall-zone depths are met. This material is the least costly but needs replenishment and maintenance annually or more often, depending on use.
Choosing appropriate surfacing for a playground is a multifaceted decision that balances safety, accessibility, cost and maintenance while meeting ASTM 1292 guidelines. The choice of surfacing significantly impacts the functionality, aesthetic appeal and sensory engagement of the playground. As demonstrated by the Brentwood destination playground, diverse surfacing materials can create unique play experiences and cater to different activities while ensuring safety and compliance with standards. By carefully considering factors — such as maintenance needs, heat absorption and user interaction — playground designers can create environments that are both safe and enriching for children.
Ted Spaid is Founding Partner of SWT Design. Sophie Spaid is Recreation Supervisor – Marketing at City of Brentwood, Missouri.