CIf you are considering building a playground, there are a few steps that you need to take to make the prices a successful one.
Who is the Playground Intended For?
It is important to know who will be using the playground so that you can design it accordingly. Not every playground is suitable for a toddler, and some are intended for older children. The age of the children playing on your playground will affect such things as the height of the monkey bars and how big to make the slide. A playground that is designed for a toddler may not be very fun for an 11-year-old. You could always design a playground that has a section that is for smaller children if you want to appeal to all age groups.
How Much Room do You Have?
Another factor that will affect the construction of your playground is how much space you have to work with. You should also decide or a material that will be used as the cushioned surface to help buffer falls and to help prevent any injuries. You should allow for at least six feet of cushioned surface that extends beyond the edge of the equipment. If you are adding swings and slides, you will need an even larger area.
Time is a Factor
It can take a lot of time to get a playground built. From the planning process to the preparation of the site to the actual installation of the playground, it can easily take months to get a high-quality and engaging playground built. It is always better to allow for extra time as well because sometimes things will go wrong or unexpected occurrences will arise and throw a wrench into your plans. If you are building the playground for a school, you should start in the spring so that you can have it completed by the following school year.
Location, Location, Location
Location is another thing to consider. The slope, soil type, nearby vegetation, and weather conditions will be some of the things that you need to consider. You also need to know what is in the ground before you begin to dig.
How Big is Your Budget?
Your budget will also have a significant effect on how big your playground will be. Your budget will be the final say and the deciding factor for most if not all of your decisions. You may want to consider arranging fundraising events to help raise money to build a bigger and better playground that you can afford on your own. Most communities will jump at the chance to have a new playground built because playgrounds have so many positive benefits to them. It’s a good idea to design the playground that you want and figure out how much it will cost and then try to raise funds to cover all of the costs. If you are shy of your goal, you can always go back to the drawing board. But at least you were able to make your playground a little better then if you attempted it with just your funds.