Safety and Accessibility for Playgrounds
Designing worlds of safety and inclusivity.
We design fun that’s safe for everyone. After all, fun isn’t fun if it’s not safe. Or, it’s only safe for some. Our designers put safety and accessibility first in every playscape we design and build. Working with us means you’re going to get equipment that exceeds industry safety standards now, and for years to come.
What makes a playground safe?
Several factors go into consideration when we are designing a playground equipment installation. Falling is the first and most common action that leads to injury. Therefore, we think through every aspect of our designs. Some best practices for playground safety we consider:
- Ensuring the playground has a safety rated ground covering
- Extending the safe ground 6-feet beyond the playground equipment installation
- Not using dangerous devices like open S-hooks or protruding bolt ends
- Double-checking there are no tripping hazards like exposed footings
- Adding guardrails to every elevated surface
- Ensuring gaps between bars or openings are smaller than 3.5” or larger than 9”
- Thinking through how our playground equipment will be installed
- Training and hiring our own certified installation experts
Setting the standard for accessibility and inclusivity
Every kid wants to be a part of the fun. So, if not everyone can play, then no one’s having fun. Which is why we’re continually setting and resetting the standard for accessibility in play. Whether we’re designing for sensory or physical differences, we have a few simple principles that we adhere to in making our playground equipment designs accessible and inclusive:
- Use sensory-rich elements. Whether that’s color, texture, sounds or other sensory stimulations, we design to stimulate the senses.
- User-centered design. Understand the needs of the community, like wheelchair ramps or braille signage.
- Flexible layout. Leave enough room for wheelchairs, walkers, or other community needs.
Safe for the community means safe for the planet
We’re here to benefit the community. Which means not only stimulating kids through safe and accessible play, but also how the playground impacts the environment around it. Other things we think through when designing a playground installation have the community and the planet in mind. Things like:
- Using sustainable materials. From the safety materials for the ground or floor, to the coatings on the equipment, we ensure that we’re sourcing responsibly and balancing durability and sustainability so your playground will be around for years.
- Energy efficient elements. Incorporating lights, sounds, or even Wi-Fi into a playground, we always consider incorporating solar panels, to offset the extra power draw.
- Inspired by the environment. We’re always looking for inspiration in the environment our playground installation will live. This can create some really interesting synergies between play and the community.
Safety and accessibility is more than a responsibility
By focusing on the distinct needs of the community where we are designing a playground, we can ensure the fun stays safe and accessible. To us, safety and accessibility are more than a responsibility, they are the key ingredients in fun for everyone.
Put safety and accessibility at the heart of fun for you
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