Guide to Planning & Creating Engaging Commercial Playgrounds

Every story has a start, and yours begins here with your playground story. Launching a playground project can be daunting, especially if it’s your very first one.
 
No worries, we have collected the key elements, and the best practices, that make up a successful playground plan. These elements guide all who created their own playground stories.
 
Do you have a vision but are not sure where to begin? Are you hoping to get the ball rolling on your community venture? Are you searching for the secrets to a successful project? If you’re starting out on an exciting playground adventure and need a little guidance, you’re in the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look at all you need to succeed!
 
Discover the art of creating engaging schools or community playgrounds with our comprehensive guide. From initial vision to grand opening, learn the secrets behind successful playground planning and how to bring your playground dreams to life.

Guide to Planning & Creating Engaging Commercial Playgrounds
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Remember, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

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Playground Project Best Practices: Time Tested

Your playground project starts with a vision and a dedicated team. Our guide outlines ten critical steps, informed by industry experts and successful projects, to help you from concept to completion in to help you from concept to completion in building a community playground.

Forming Your Committee

Your team is the heart and soul of your playground project. Pick them wisely and build upon the foundations of community spirit. Working together, your shared mission of inspiring your youngsters through play will lead you towards success. A few foundational key traits for an awesome team include communication, proactiveness, organization, knowledge and skills, and resourcefulness.

Forming Your Committee

Creating Your Strategy and Setting Your Goals

Every project needs clear-set objectives. Aligning your ideas and preparing for the adventures ahead will help bring clarity to your project. Communicate with the community to learn the requirements and set your vision based on community needs. Use tools like S.M.A.R.T. goal setting to guide your project. When you communicate your vision with clarity your entire community is bound to support you in commercial playground planning.

Creating Your Strategy and Setting Your Goals

Gathering Community Input

Pick the brains of parents, children, and volunteers. Including the members of your community in this process will create a feeling of ownership and pride. You’ll gain a clearer idea of how to meet expectations, overcome challenges, and steer your project in the right direction in building a community playground.

Gathering Community Input

Selecting Your Ideal Site

Evaluate potential sites based on the capacity to accommodate your intended audience, accessibility for all users, safety measures to protect children, and the proximity to essential amenities. Emphasize the importance of thorough site evaluation to avoid common pitfalls and ensure the playground meets community expectations and safety standards.
 
Learn more from our playground safety guide.

Selecting Your Ideal Site

Consulting a Playground Guru

You don’t have to carry the burden of playground planning alone. Consult the experts, seek the advice of several companies, and ask for recommendations. With the right playground partner by your side, you can cut the workload, stress-levels, and challenges in half.
 
Seeking expert advice can ensure your playground meets the highest standards of safety, functionality and innovation.
 
Don’t forget to consult the experts.

Consulting a Playground Guru

Innovating Play with Educational Themes

Incorporating educational themes into playgrounds can transform ordinary play areas into vibrant hubs of learning and exploration. Educational play panels that teach basic math or history and play structures that mimic natural habitats or historical landmarks, can stimulate curiosity and learning in an engaging environment.
 
For more innovative designs, explore natural playground design and playground equipment for learning.

Crafting Unique Play Experiences

⁤Using shapes other than the usual equipment one finds at playgrounds – and also introducing art into playground design – encourages kids to use their minds creatively and think of new ways to engage with the space. By focusing on the artistic and imaginative aspects of playground design, communities can offer kids a more enriching play experience.
 
Discover how these designs can be implemented by visiting kids castle playground.

Crafting Unique Play Experiences

Digital Tools for Playground Planning

Digital tools and resources, such as 3D design software, virtual reality tours, and online customization tools, have revolutionized playground planning. For instance, digital technologies allow us to map out how a community currently uses its playground, gather feedback through surveys, 3D-render conceptual designs of the space, and incorporate those designs into a virtual reality tour.

Digital Tools for Playground Planning

Achieving Accessibility in Playground Design

Playground designs that encourage access will allow children of all abilities to play outdoors and participate in play. Accessible design includes features like ground-level play components, auditory and visual sensory elements, and adaptive swings, which make playgrounds inclusive for children with diverse needs. By prioritizing accessibility, communities can create play environments that are engaging for every child.

Achieving Accessibility in Playground Design

Contemplating the Costs

Contemplating the costs involved in playground projects requires a strategic approach to budgeting and fundraising. By obtaining a ballpark figure from playground partners, communities can set realistic funding goals and explore various strategies for reaching them. Effective fundraising methods may include local events, crowdfunding, and seeking investments from local businesses.
 
Learn more from our playground financing guide.

Contemplating the Costs

Selecting Your Equipment

Selecting the right playground equipment involves balancing safety, creativity, and durability. Communities should work closely with their playground consultant to choose equipment that meets safety standards and encourages imaginative play. Amenities such as benches and shade structures ensure a comfortable and enjoyable environment.
 
For more information visit our outdoor playground equipment page.

Selecting Your Equipment

Installing Your Playground

The installation of playground equipment must adhere to safety guidelines and be executed with precision. Whether opting for professional installation services or a community-led build, proper supervision and preparation are key to a successful installation. Ensuring easy access to necessary utilities and organizing volunteers effectively can contribute to a smooth and efficient build process.

Installing Your Playground

The Grand Opening

Let the celebration begin! Opening a playground is a cause for celebration and a chance to acknowledge efforts of each party in coming together to create the play space. While “cutting the ribbon” is a symbol of the grand opening, it is important not to minimize its significance as a time for the proper ceremonies of inaugurating the play space for the community, honouring donors and volunteers, and inviting children to use it.

The Grand Opening
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Playground Planning FAQs

  • How much does it cost to design a playground?

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    The cost of designing a playground can greatly vary, depending on size, type of equipment selected and the location. For a typical playground plan, which can be approximately $10,000 to $50,000 for design and planning, the final cost greatly depends on how complex the design is and the needs of the neighbourhood.

  • How long should a commercial playground last?

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    A well-designed commercial playground, should last 15 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the materials, the maintenance practices, and the intensity of use.

  • How much space do you need for a playground?

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    Required space for a playground depends on the age group of the users and type of equipment provided, a fundamental aspect of playground planning. It is safe to say that at least 75 square feet of space is required for each child to play, in addition to some extra space for circulation and facilities.

  • How do you calculate the border of the playground?

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    To calculate the border of the playground, outline the perimeter of the play equipment area, adding a safety buffer zone of at least 6 feet around all equipment. This ensures safe play spaces and compliance with safety standards.

  • What makes a sustainable playground?

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    Measure the border of the playground and draw around the perimeter of the play structure area with a 6-foot safety buffer zone around each piece of playground equipment to create play spaces that are healthy and conform to the safety standards.

  • What is the minimum slope for a playground?

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    The minimum slope of a playground should be maximum 1% to make it usable and drainable. This gentle slope helps water drain out from the playground and make it usable for all children.

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Next Steps in Your Playground Tale

As you navigate the final stages of planning and designing your playground, it’s important to remember the broader impact of your work. A well-designed playground does more than provide a place for children to play; it fosters community, encourages physical activity, and stimulates imaginations. Your journey from vision to reality is a significant contribution to the well-being and development of children in your community. By focusing on inclusive, educational, and sustainable designs, you’re creating spaces that will be cherished for generations.

Choosing the right partner for this journey is crucial. KidsTale is dedicated to turning your playground dreams into reality. With a wide selection of inclusive and thematic playground equipment, we’re equipped to meet the unique needs of your project. Our team is ready to guide you through every step, offering the expertise and support needed to create a vibrant and engaging outdoor space. Let’s work together to make your playground a place where children’s stories of adventure and discovery come to life.

START YOUR PLAYGROUND JOURNEY
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