Playground design
Good playground design begins with a single figure: the number of children playing at one time. For churches, schools, preschools, towns, nonprofits, and HOAs, we plan on about $1,000 in equipment per child playing at once, and then we add freight, installation, and the safety surface beneath it. The grants finder lists state funding programs, and our cost estimator shows full price ranges for your group size.
Playground design rules worth knowing first
The use zone for a standalone climber
6 feet in all directions, from cpsc.gov:
The use zone should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions from the perimeter of the standalone climber.
CPSC age groups for equipment
Toddler 6-23 months; Preschool 2-5 years; Grade school 5-12 years, from cpsc.gov:
Toddler - Ages 6-23 months Preschool - Ages 2-5 years Grade School - Ages 5-12 years…
Separate active and quiet play
From cpsc.gov:
Active, physical activities should be separate from more passive or quiet activities.
Shade hot equipment
From cpsc.gov:
Bare metal slides, platforms, and steps should be shaded or located out of direct sun.
How much does a full play area cost?
The ground surface you pick to cushion falls greatly affects your total budget. Engineered wood fiber is wood shredded so it can soften falls beneath play structures. Poured in place rubber is rubber that gets mixed and spread straight onto the ground as a solid surface. Expect a higher price upfront than for wood fiber. Compare every surface material using our playground surfacing cost guide.
| Children Playing at Once | Total With Engineered Wood Fiber | Total With Poured in Place Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| 15 children | $24,900 to $28,700 | $31,100 to $42,800 |
| 30 children | $49,900 to $57,400 | $62,300 to $85,500 |
| 50 children | $83,100 to $95,600 | $103,800 to $142,500 |
| 80 children | $133,000 to $153,000 | $166,000 to $228,000 |
Playground Equipment for Small Spaces
To plan a compact play area, first determine the ground space each child requires plus the safety clearance around every piece. Virginia's child care rule says outdoor play space must provide 75 square feet per child who plays at one time. That equals 1,125 square feet of ground and roughly $15,000 for equipment when 15 children play at once. Each structure also requires a use zone, meaning an open fall area surrounding the equipment. A use zone covering six feet in all directions is required for each standalone climber.
Natural Playground Equipment and Surfacing
Shade and wood fiber help a play area blend into an outdoor yard if that is what the committee wants. Federal safety guidelines indicate that you should shade hot equipment inside the play space. Buy extra volume when picking a loose-fill surface like wood fiber because it compresses by at least 25 percent as time passes. Engineered wood fiber runs $3,500 to $5,500 for 1,000 square feet of ground alone, while rubber tiles cost $5,000 to $8,000, rubber mulch $6,000 to $12,000, and turf $6,000 to $20,000.
Common Questions About Playground Design
How do you design a good playground?
Your first step is to match structures to the ages of children who will use the space. Equipment falls into specific age groups under federal safety guidelines: six to 23 months for toddlers, two to five years for preschool children, and five to 12 years for grade school children. Another step is to separate active and quiet play areas when planning the layout.
Is designing my own playground possible?
Your committee may set the budget and capacity, after which playground equipment manufacturers and their representatives design the site layout to satisfy federal accessibility rules. Along the accessible route, those rules require a minimum of one of each type of play activity at ground level. Any transfer system, which consists of steps and platforms to move from a wheelchair to a raised structure, needs a 24-inch minimum width.
Does building your own playground save money?
Freight accounts for about 15 percent of the equipment price, whereas professional playground installation runs 25 to 35 percent of that same price. For a play area built for 15 children, expect installation fees between $3,800 and $5,300, plus $2,300 for freight. A 30-child area with $30,000 in equipment covering 2,250 square feet will cost $7,500 to $10,500 to install and $4,500 to ship.
What is the price of surfacing for a medium-sized play area?
For 2,500 square feet of ground alone, prices are $8,800 to $13,800 for engineered wood fiber, $12,500 to $20,000 for rubber tiles, and $15,000 to $30,000 for rubber mulch. Turf for that same space ranges from $15,000 to $50,000, while poured in place rubber costs between $22,500 and $45,000. Through our quote request, dealers and manufacturers' representatives can price equipment, surfacing, and installation for your site.