Ask A Carpenter: Tips For Building A Kids' Play Area In Sacramento
Building a play area for your kids can be a challenge, as you want the best and safest design, yet the most entertaining and unique style for the kids. Glen Wurster, a playground expert who knows what it takes to build a safe play area, provides tips that you may want to check out before getting started. Glen was named one of Sacramento's best in building kids' play areas. Take a look at Glen's experience and tips.
Glen Wurster
All About Play
3844 Presidio St.
Sacramento, CA 95838
(916) 923-2180
www.playgroundpros.com
Glen Wurster has over 28 years of experience in the playground industry working with municipalities throughout the state. He is a certified playground safety inspector with vast experience in playground consulting, design, layout and installation. For the last 18 years, he has owned and operated All About Play, a playground supply and consulting business. All About Play has completed over 5,000 playground projects throughout Northern California.
Tip 1 - Surface Your Equipment Correctly
One of the most important things on any playground is the surfacing that is used to help protect children if they fall. Most injuries that occur on playgrounds result from falls from the equipment to the surface below. Having adequate and appropriate safety surfacing under your playground is a must when it comes to making the play area a safe place to play.
Tip 2 - Allow Room For Your Project
Make sure you have adequate space to install your new playground. Kids need to have space to run and play without having to run in front of a swing or slide exit. When we design commercial playgrounds, we must provide what is called a "use zone" which in most cases requires a six-foot clearance on all sides of the equipment. Give your playground and kids the space they need to play safely.
Tip 3 - Safety First
Use age-appropriate equipment. It is very important to select and install equipment that is intended for the age of children that will be using the playground equipment. In the commercial playground industry, playground designs are broken into two age groups. The first age group is two to five and the other is five to 12. The consumer product safety commission guidelines, which are the safety standards for public playgrounds, provide the information for age-appropriate playground equipment.
Tip 4 - Variety Is Key
Provide as many different play options as you can on your playground. Not all kids play the same. Some like slides and others like to climb. Some are risk takers and other play more passively. You should keep all of those things in mind when selecting your playground. The more choices and options you provide on your playground will keep kids interested in playing on it for a long time to come.
Tip 5 - Keep The Kids Cool
Make sure your playground has shade. If you do not have adequate natural shade, you may need to add some type of shade roofs to the playground or add a shade cover over the entire play area. This will not only extend the time during the day when kids can use the playground, but it also keeps everything cooler, reducing the risk of heat-related injuries on the playground.
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Stephanie Reed, a freelance writer in the Sacramento area, covers family and parenting issues for Examiner.com. She works and volunteers for local agencies and organizations promoting healthy family living. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
