Playground Design 101: Avoid These Flaws with simple Design Remedies

Avoid mistakes before they happen, save time, money and headaches

Table of contents

• Introduction

• Colour Fading Surfaces and Elements

• Scorching Play Elements

• Spinning Apparatus hazards

• Managing desire lines

• FAQ´s

Introduction

In this guide we bring you the design remedy and provide you with simple design focus principles that help you with sound playground design. We dive into common playground design flaws and their remedies. This overview is designed to jog your memory and remind you of sound design principles to ensure your playgrounds are both functional and enjoyable.

Colour Fading and Surface Wear: Ensuring Long-Lasting Aesthetics

Avoid aging finishes by choosing the right product styles

Diagnosis:

Colour fading and surface wear are common issues in playgrounds, leading to diminished visual appeal and increased maintenance. Sun exposure can accelerate fading, especially for bright colours and certain materials.

Colours That Fade Fastest:

1. Bright Reds

2. Yellows

3. Oranges

4. Purples

The fading colour hues to be aware of

Colours That Fade Slowest:

1. Blues

2. Greens

3. Greys

4. Beiges

Blue, browns and beiges the strongest colours that resist fading

Design Remedies:

• Choose UV-Resistant Paints and Materials:

• UV-Resistant Paints: Opt. for paints designed to resist UV radiation to prevent rapid fading.

• Rubber Surfaces: Use UV-resistant rubber for surfacing, which is less prone to fading.

• Cork: Use cork for surfacing as it is durable and resists fading.

• Resin Bound Gravel and Beton: These materials are strong and less prone to fading.

• Materials That Resist Fading:

• Robinia and Oak: Natural wood types that weather well and resist fading.

• Aluminum and Stainless Steel: Metals that retain their colour and resist fading.

• High-Quality Paints: Use paints designed for durability and colour retention.

Article Link: Research on Colour Fading

Scorching Play Elements: Avoiding Burns and Heat-Related equipment Issues

Skin burns, temperatures souring and the placements of elements

Diagnosis:

Playground equipment, especially in areas with intense sunlight, can become dangerously hot. Metal surfaces, such as slides and swings, and certain plastic materials can reach temperatures that cause burns. Ensuring children's safety involves both material choice and effective shading solutions.

Problematic Equipment:

1. Metal Slides and Rides: Metal components absorb heat quickly, leading to dangerously high temperatures.

2. Anodized aluminium. This rust-free surface refracts sunlight for a comfortable contact.

3. Plastic Play Structures: Certain colours and types of plastics can heat up significantly under direct sunlight.

4. Other Heat Absorbing Elements: Some materials, like unshaded swings or climbing frames, also become excessively hot.

Design Remedy:

• Choose Heat-Resistant Materials:

• Shade Structures: Install shade sails or canopies to protect equipment from direct sunlight, reducing heat build-up.

• Light-Colored and UV-Resistant Coatings: Opt for coatings that reflect sunlight and minimize heat absorption.

• Thermal Insulation: Use materials designed to reduce heat transfer, such as special coatings or insulative barriers.

• Material Solutions:

• Stainless Steel: While it can still get hot, stainless steel is less prone to extreme temperature changes compared to other metals.

• Composite Materials: Some modern composites are designed to resist heat buildup.

• Cool-Down Features: Integrate features that help cool down surfaces, such as water play areas or misting systems.

Shade Structures vs. Natural Shade vs placement and programming

• Placement near walls, roofs and under trees: Natural placement and spatial programming becomes second nature for playground designers after many years. But lets dig into what we do. We evaluate the layout of the site in relation to sun and the hours of playground use. This equates to a the spatial placement of playground elements being in areas with natural shade avoiding baking elements.

• Shade Structures: This is highly effective and quick remedy it also offers a lot of flexibility in design, allowing for creative, visually appealing solutions that integrate with the playground’s overall aesthetic.

• Trees: While natural shade is beneficial, maintaining trees in hot or arid climates can be challenging. Evaluate whether native or drought-resistant species can be maintained effectively. Also dont forget how long they take to become mature. Do you have time to wait? Will you buy saplings or mature trees?

Design Strategy:

• Strategic Placement: Place heat-sensitive equipment in shaded areas or use barriers to prevent direct sun exposure.

• Incorporate Cooling Features: Design playgrounds with cooling elements like misting stations or water features to mitigate heat.

• Regular Maintenance: Ensure regular checks and maintenance of shaded structures and cooling features to keep them functioning effectively.

Spinning Apparatus Hazards: Preventing Dizzying Risks and Collisions

Avoid unnecessary collisions in playground design to ensure safety and efficiency

Problem

Spinning apparatus, like merry-go-rounds and spinning wheels, can cause dizziness and disorientation. If placed too close to balancing equipment, the risk of collisions and accidents increases tenfold and this presents massive issues.

Case examples:

1. Dizzy Child leaves Spinning Area To Nearby Balance Area: A child who has just finished spinning may stagger into other play areas, increasing the risk of falls or collisions.

2. Child Wandering or falling into Spinning Zone Via Balance Areas: A child who falls from a balance beam or other equipment might stumble into an active spinning area, resulting in dangerous collisions.

Design Remedy:

• Play Flow Structure:

• Proper Spacing: Ensure adequate space between spinning apparatus and balancing equipment to reduce collision risks and allow safe play transitions. Make sure their spatial--sharing is limited and far away as possible

• Strategic Design:

• Clear Pathways: Design clear pathways and visual cues to guide children and their movements to safely around different play zones and activities.

• Defined Zones: Create separate zones for spinning and balancing equipment to minimize cross-traffic and ensure safety.

Design Strategy:

• Spacing Guidelines: Implement clear guidelines for spacing between different types of equipment based on their usage patterns and potential interactions.

• Zoning And Spatial Safety Zones: Designate safety zones around spinning apparatus to allow for safe play and recovery from dizziness. Design this with colours or elements to achieve a visual balance.

Managing Desire Lines & Worn-Down Footpaths

Understanding natural routes or desire lines used by kids is crucial to prevent surface damage and ensure durable playground design

Diagnosis:

Desire lines are natural pathways created by repeated foot traffic, leading to unsightly wear and tear on playground surfaces and even bumpy elevations or dents that can add to accidents. These paths often form in areas where children frequently walk, leading also to accelerated surface wear and ugly playgrounds.

Challenges with Desire Lines:

1. Unintentional Wear: Constand erosion is natural on pathways created by frequent use and this can lead to worn-down surfaces and increased maintenance needs.

2. Visual Impact: Desire lines can create an uneven appearance, detracting from the playground’s overall aesthetics leaving undesirable "surface scars".

Design Remedy:

• Surface Reinforcements:

• Durable Materials: Reflect on possibly using other robust materials such as concrete, resin-bound gravel. Or create a stronger foundation under the rubber path you design with padded reinforcement to manage high-traffic areas and reduce wear.

• Guided Pathways:

• Aesthetic Pathways: Design visually appealing pathways to guide children and visually define usage areas, reducing random wear and reinforcing desire paths with iconic and strong visual usage indicators.

Design Strategy:

• Clear Pathways: Implement clear, durable pathways that visually and physically guide foot traffic.

• Strategic Material Use: Choose materials that withstand high traffic and provide a visually cohesive appearance.

FAQ´s

What is playground zoning?

What are playground play zones?

What is a children's play area?

How to make a playground fun?

How to decorate a school playground

How to design a small playground