Tag Archives: playland playground equipment

Author: Austin Stanfel

Historically, Wood and Steel

Playgrounds of the past were created with readily available materials. These mainly included wood and steel. Even though these materials can be durable, they are not without their fair share of disadvantages. Wood can easily splinter, crack and begin to look very weathered. It requires a great deal of maintenance and painting for it to remain stylish. Even though wood can be easily repaired, it requires many repairs, and, on average, does not last as long as other materials. Steel is very durable; however, steel slides can become very hot and pose a danger to playing children. It can also cause injury if you fall on hard, steel surfaces or protrusions. Additionally, the steel components are not very customizable or repairable.

Modern Materials

Plastics and recycled plastics are customizable, durable, and safer for play than the materials of older play sets. Wood and steel components are still included to provide structural strength to the playground. However, several elements of modern play sets usually consist of polyethylene and recycled plastic materials, which are resistant to splintering, rusting, and rotting. Recycled plastics convert our daily plastic containers into durable materials that look very similar to wood. This material can be customized to different shapes and sizes to add a rustic look to playgrounds that will not fade or diminish with time. Polyethylene is used in a variety of ways throughout the playground. In a textured and high-density format, it can be formed into tables, signs, and activity panels. The material can be painted with a UV-resistant color to decrease fading, and extend the life of the playground’s colorful attraction. The low-density polyethylene materials can be formed into several shapes to produce the tubes and turning slides, which children love to explore.

The Advantages of Plastic and Recycled Plastic

Polyethylene has many advantages, especially when compared to the wood and steel materials of older playgrounds. Polyethylene does not get hot under long-term sun exposure. There is also no risk of splinters with the polyethylene material. Additionally, the plastic can be molded and customized into several shapes. This increases the creativity of each play set and encourages imaginative play for children. The shapes can also increase safety for the playing children – tube slides and wave slides for younger playground visitors. The plastic material’s texture is also an advantage, since the polyethylene is smooth to the touch. Even though the paint may fade over several years, the plastic material is more durable than wood. Recycled plastic has the additional benefit of being made from recycled materials, which helps to prevent waste accumulation.

Safety and Structure

Steel remains one of the most structurally sound materials available for use in the creation of playgrounds. However, this material can be coated in plastic or PVC to enhance safety. This plastic coating softens the area in the event of a fall. The plastic also increases the foot traction of the surface, which prevents slips and falls. The plastic coating, which is usually then painted with a UV-resistant polymer, may thoroughly disguise the steel structure of the play set. In this way, the advantages of the historical sets are meshed with modern materials to produce safe, customizable, and durable playgrounds.

Author: Austin Stanfel

When designing a playground, it is important to consider the multiple pieces of equipment that will be installed. In choosing the items to be selected, it’s a good idea to take into account the pros and cons of having that item placed in your playground. One way to do this is to calculate the risks, as well as pay attention to the sorts of benefits that can be provided from that one piece. In terms of playground equipment, a trendy selection would be play tunnels. This piece is multi functional and allows for endless fun, along with various other health benefits.

Uses

There is an endless pool of imagination within a child’s mind. What may be a simple play tunnel to adults is not how the child views it. Using a play tunnel will allow you to provide children with a tool to express their more creative side and turn a play tunnel into any object they desire. Aside from this, there are other uses that having this item allows for. When designing the play tunnel, you can customize it to any color or hue of your choosing. This can be fitting to school or community colors, which will then encourage children to play there. You can also change the tunnel structure by connecting it to other playground pieces, making this single item quite diverse in its abilities.

Benefits

Everyone is familiar with the multiple benefits that can be derived from having an active child who goes out a lot versus one who prefers to stay indoors and not participate in that active lifestyle. But when it comes to the benefits offered through the use of a play tunnel, the list goes on and on.

● Exercise: Having this form of equipment in your playground allows a child to exercise separately from all other types of available equipment by enhancing their physical activity.

● Balance and Coordination: By letting the child climb to the top of the slide, find a way to position themselves, and then slide down promotes their overall motor skills and spatial awareness through determining when the right time to slide will be and when to put their feet down in order to land successfully.

● Increase in Flexibility: Climbing to the top of the tunnel and stretching their legs out to stop from sliding more increases muscle and overall flexibility in the child.

● Social Development: Being such a popular commodity to install into a playground and amongst the kids, as lots of children gather to play with the tunnel, knowledge in proper social etiquette will start to develop. It will teach kids lessons in taking turns, patience and tolerance, and playing fairly also.

● Fun: Aside from all the other positive effects, the most important, of course, would be that the kids have a fun way to play. They can hide in the tunnel, move around it, and turn it into anything they desire with the use of a little imagination.

Author: Austin Stanfel

It is not an inexpensive venture to build and design a playground site. There are several steps involved in designing and executing a project, all of which require financial support. Therefore, many planners rely on a crowdfunding source to assist with the fundraising effort. In our digital age, crowdfunding allows for a lot of money to be raised by a collection of small contributions over the Internet. Many sites, such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, are dedicated to hosting crowdfunding campaigns. The process itself can be successful if you are aware of the best possible professional tips:

1. Plan and Prepare: You must have a clear strategy with defined goals before beginning your crowdfunding campaign. In this early phase of the operation, research and network building are fundamental. At this time, you will determine who you can rely on to help you fund this playground project. You will also work closely with experts to lay out specific outcomes and goals for the intended project. Funders would want to know the value of their efforts.

2. Get to know the audience: The funders who will support your playground project must be researched and encouraged. It is important to know what your funders will value. This will help you understand the goals and outcomes desired from the project. Focusing on these specific ideals will also help you to recruit even more funders. Once you have distinguished your project, certain events can be planned to recruit more funders and build engagement with potential supporters.

3. Build Dreams: Successful crowdfunding campaigns focus on the realization of compelling visions. Funders are invested in helping dreams come true. (thediscerningcat.com) Therefore, it is crucial to have a clear vision that can be related to many people through the Internet interface. The creativity of the project must be visible. Funders need to know that this playground project will make a difference in lives. Anecdotal stories can contribute to framing a large narrative, which can encourage funders to see the human side of any project.

4. Use the Best Site: In addition to researching potential funders, there is also a need for research on the best website to use as the crowdfunding platform. Some websites are more focused on charitable donations and attract a different type of funder. Some research and assistance from an expert will allow you to present your best campaign.

5. Promote and Perform: Once the site is chosen and the goals are established, you can promote and execute the crowdfunding campaign. Some campaigns are donation-based, and the donors will receive a gift or reward in exchange for their generous monetary donation. Another form of giving is investment funding, which allows donors to become equity partners. Either way, promote the perks of becoming a funder for the project and encourage fundraising gains.

Author: Austin Stanfel

A trip to the playground is nothing less of a joyful trip for children of all age groups. However, as parents, we have to be extremely cautious about the playground set so our kids stay protected from harm while they engage with playground equipment. The most crucial element that seems to be lacking in most playgrounds is the shade structure.

Playground equipment attachments, such as chains, metal attachments, and holders located on climbing structures can become hazards in the blazing summer sun. The overheating of the equipment can cause substantial skin burn that could discourage children from playing out in the sun. In addition, by engaging in outdoor play activities, children become more prone to UV damage which is the number one cause of skin cancer. This hazard can be avoided with the help of proper shading around the play area.

Using the proper shade structures in the play area, you can ensure that children get only an appropriate amount of sun without compromising their play activities.

How To Buy a Shade Structure?

Buying a shade structure can be challenging if you are not aware of the types of structure. The most important thing is understanding what your play area needs and then looking for a shade structure according to the play area needs. If you are not certain what to buy, contact your nearest dealer and get informed regarding the available shade structures.

Creative Recreational Systems, Inc. offers various shade structures that provide excellent coverage for outdoor recreational areas. The shade structures are available with different color combinations to match your exact needs. In addition, you can get your shade structures custom-made to have an exact fit for your play area. For more information regarding the shade structures, visit https://www.creativesystems.com/shade-structures/

Author: Austin Stanfel

Is there really a perfect playground surface? Based on the studies, there is no perfect playground surface; however, you would be able to find the playground surface that best fits your requirements and complies with the state’s standards. A study has been conducted in order to help those who want to find the right and appropriate ADA playgrounds for their children. The study or research helps customers purchase a long-term playground appropriate to their budgets, facilities, personnel resources, and other expectations.

Creative Recreational Systems, Inc. has been committed to providing customers with playground equipment and surfacing that welcomes families and children with different abilities to enjoy and have fun. This manufacturer became much more committed to developing commercial playground equipment, which simply goes beyond just being accessible but being a playground that would be suitable for all.

In 2010, ADA, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, had proposed standards for playgrounds. The ADA playgrounds should comply with the standard accessible design requirement. All playgrounds should be constructed and designed so that the equipment is readily usable and accessible, especially for those with disabilities. And with that, Creative Recreational Systems, Inc. has been meeting the ADA playgrounds standards long before the standards have been released. Ever since, they have been creating playground components that address those with physical disabilities, including those with vision impairments, sensory disorders, autism, and many more.

To ensure its accessibility, the playground surfacing should comply with the ASTM F 1951 Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment. These standards are limited to playground surfacings such as poured rubber or rubber tiles and poured-in-place or engineered wood fiber, which is why it is very important that when you purchase one, you should first consult them regarding the test data. The playground should have an accessible route of travel to the play equipment.

Moreover, the ADA playgrounds are also expected to have accessible ground-level play activities that are equal to one-half of the total elevated play activities. With that, it only means that the playground would require an accessible surfacing route going to and around the activity. Every type of ground-level play activity should be made accessible enough. If, for instance, there are four swings in the playground, at least one swing should be accessible that has a safe and appropriate accessible surfacing.

So when you are looking for a playground, ensure that it is not only appropriate to your budget, site, and other preferences or expectations, it should also be a certified ADA playground. With this, you can rest assured that you will enjoy and have fun with all the activities. Although children are different from each other and have different ways of entertaining themselves, it is important that playgrounds are accessible and usable enough.

Creative Recreational Systems, Inc. will help you choose ADA playgrounds. With them, you can rest assured that all your expectations would be met and everything would comply with the given standard.