To keep your public playgrounds safe and long-lasting, consider these tips for maintaining a playground for the best possible results. Read more below.
Public playgrounds are a valuable amenity for any community by providing a place for kids to play and socialize, as well as raising the value of the property around it. However, to perform these functions, public playgrounds must be well maintained, or else they become moot. Here are a few tips for maintaining a playground to ensure longevity and safety.
Enduring the Weather
The environment is an ever-constant threat to your playgrounds by virtue of them simply being outside. While there’s no stopping the weather, there are good practices to use to respond quickly to wear and tear. For example, inspecting a playground after a storm shows diligence on your part and allows for a thorough examination of any damages or weaknesses in the playground that need to be repaired or replaced before someone gets hurt. If you’re anticipating more extreme weather, it’s a good idea to get coverings for your playground to offer it some measure of protection.
Keeping it Clean
Keeping the equipment clean not only displays care for the community but will prevent build-ups of bacteria and germs. With so many people touching the equipment day after day, there’s no telling what kind of contaminants are on them or where they came from. Regularly sanitizing and disinfecting the playground will reduce the chances of illness spreading throughout the community. Doing this comes with the bonus of removing debris and contaminants that may corrode or rust the playground equipment, making it one of the best tips for maintaining a playground. Such a simple practice can remove or prevent a whole world of trouble.
Making Necessary Replacements
Not everything can be repaired, however. Being able to recognize when equipment needs to be replaced is important for keeping the playground safe for kids. However, these replacements will often expand beyond the playground equipment itself. The surface of your playground should always be considered. Loose-fill surfacing will inevitably be moved around and lost, meaning you’ll need to refill it with your chosen surfacing material or have the surfacing repaired if you decide to go with something more solid like rubber. Either way, surfacing is integral for reducing the severity of injuries whenever a child falls, and falls will always be the most common source of injuries at playgrounds.