Park, Playground, & Outdoor Space Blog | MRC Recreation

5 Steps to the Perfect Playground

Written by 0dm1n | October 21, 2019

The perfect playground invites children and adults to head outside to soak up the sunshine and enjoy some fun physical activities. When you know that the playground you design must be the best in the area, it is good to take your time with the planning to make sure that everything is in place for everyone to enjoy the space. Whether you are planning a park for a church or an entire metropolitan area, you can use these five steps to make sure that your design is a success.

Develop a Vision

The first thing that you need to do is decide what the playground must have to satisfy the needs of the community. Depending upon the size and scope of your project, you may want to set up a planning committee that is comprised of several different people who can all provide their input. For instance, you may want to include residents with kids on your committee along with the city leaders to provide varying views regarding what is best to include in the design of a public park.

Analyze the Play Space

Once you have done some brainstorming, your next step is to make sure that your ideas fit the actual site that is designated for the playground. For instance, you need to make sure that you can set up the inclusive playground equipment a safe distance from the street. You may also need to check the general slope and path access to ensure that you can set the play area up to be accessible to everyone.

Check Out the Budget

Your playground also needs to fit into the budget. Since safe playground equipment is a necessity, you never want to skimp on a purchase. Yet, you also want to get the most you can for your money. Fortunately, there are grants and awards available through several different types of organizations that can help you fund your playground design. Some communities also hold fundraisers or put a certain amount of their proceeds towards building a playground that improves the lifestyles of all the people who visit the area.

Select the Equipment

Now that you’ve got the basics out of the way, the real fun begins. You can begin to decide things such as whether or not you want to create a theme for the playground. For instance, a dinosaur-themed play structure could get kids excited enough to stop at your public park. You may also need to include things such as sports bleachers for a major sporting complex or shaded areas where people can cool off on a hot day.

Install and Create a Maintenance Plan

The final step for the perfect playground is to arrange for the installation of the equipment. You need to know that the equipment is professionally installed so that every bolt and screw is held together safely. Then, set up a maintenance plan that keeps things in working order. Quality playground equipment should still have regular checks to make sure that it fits the proper safety standards so that every child and parent can enjoy the freedom of playing in a place designed specifically for their enjoyment.

The process of planning a perfect playground takes time and careful consideration of the needs of everyone who will enjoy the space. Now that you are ready to get started, go out and begin developing your vision of the ideal playground so that you can watch it take shape in your designated play space.