Playgrounds are more than just a collection of swings and slides — they're vibrant spaces that foster physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive development. As a leader in playground and park equipment, we understand the unique needs of various commercial playgrounds.
Let's explore the different types and what makes each one special.
Community or City Commercial Playgrounds
These playgrounds are the heart of local neighborhoods, designed to serve diverse ages and abilities. They often feature:
- Equipment for multiple age groups: This includes areas for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, each with age-appropriate challenges and safety features.
- Inclusive play elements: Ramps, transfer stations, and ground-level play components ensure children of all abilities can participate.
- Ample seating for caregivers: Benches, picnic tables, and shaded rest areas allow adults to supervise comfortably.
- Shade structures for sun protection: Canopies, sail shades, or natural tree cover help protect children from excessive sun exposure.
- Smart, self-cleaning restrooms: These innovative facilities use automated systems to clean, disinfect, and dry after each use, enhancing hygiene and reducing maintenance needs.
Community playgrounds often serve as gathering spots for families, so they may also include picnic areas, walking paths, and open spaces for group activities or events.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Inclusive Playgrounds
Campground Playgrounds
Nestled in nature, campground playgrounds should complement their surroundings. You can do this through:
- Rustic designs that blend with the environment: Think log-style structures, earth-tone colors, and nature-inspired themes.
- Durable materials to withstand outdoor elements: Use weather-resistant materials like treated wood, recycled plastic, or powder-coated metal to resist moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations.
- Nature-inspired play elements: Incorporate climbing boulders, tree-house-style structures, or animal-themed equipment to enhance the outdoor experience.
Campground playgrounds might also include educational signage about local flora and fauna, creating opportunities for environmental learning. Consider adding low-impact lighting for evening use, especially in areas with extended summer daylight hours.
Read More: Enhancing the Campground Experience with Playground and Park Amenities
Splash Pads and Spray Parks
Perfect for hot summer days, these water-based playgrounds require splash pads and other similar equipment, as well as a host of other amenities, including:
- Aquatic safety surfacing to prevent slips: Non-slip, textured surfaces that provide traction even when wet.
- ADA-compliant designs for accessibility: This includes zero-depth entry, wheelchair-accessible activation buttons, and a variety of spray heights to accommodate all users.
- Water-conserving features: Timed sprayers, flow controls, and water recirculation systems to minimize waste.
- Proper drainage systems: Efficient drainage to prevent standing water and ensure quick drying when not in use.
Consider incorporating themed elements like nautical designs, tropical motifs, or local wildlife to make the splash pad more engaging. Interactive features such as water cannons, dumping buckets, and user-activated sprayers can add an element of surprise and fun.
Read More: Stay Cool With Splash Pads and Spray Parks
Daycare Playgrounds
Catering to the youngest adventurers, daycare playgrounds should focus on the following elements:
- Equipment for toddlers (6 months to 2 years) and preschoolers (2 to 5 years): This includes baby swings, small slides, and low climbing structures.
- Low-to-the-ground structures for safety: Keeping equipment close to the ground reduces the risk of fall injuries.
- Soft, impact-absorbing surfaces: To cushion potential falls, use materials like poured-in-place rubber, rubber tiles, or engineered wood fiber.
- Sensory play elements: To stimulate multiple senses, incorporate texture panels, musical instruments, and sand or water play areas.
Daycare playgrounds should also include open spaces for group activities and quiet corners for children who may feel overwhelmed. Consider adding child-sized tables and chairs for outdoor learning activities.
Explore Now: The Phyllis Bodel Daycare Project Gallery
Elementary School Playgrounds
These playgrounds support physical education and recess time. A solid school playground design should take the following factors into account:
- Age-appropriate equipment for 5 to 12-year-olds: This includes more challenging climbers, higher slides, and complex structures that encourage problem-solving.
- Challenging elements like climbing walls and ziplines: These features help develop upper body strength, coordination, and confidence.
- Areas for active play and quiet social interaction: Balance high-energy zones with small group play or reading spaces.
- Educational play features: Incorporate math and science themes, like sundials, gear systems, or weather stations.
School playgrounds should be designed with supervision in mind, avoiding blind spots and providing clear sightlines for teachers and recess monitors. Consider including various playground surface types to support different activities, such as asphalt for ball games and softer surfaces for climbing areas.
Read More: How to Tell if Your School Has a Great Playground
Church or Place of Worship Playgrounds
These playgrounds serve both the congregation and the community. You can include equipment and features such as:
- Multi-generational play areas: Include equipment that appeals to children of various ages and fitness equipment for adults.
- Gathering spaces for social events: Incorporate pavilions, picnic areas, or amphitheater-style seating for community functions.
- Calm, reflective zones: Create quiet areas with benches, gardens, or labyrinths for contemplation and small group discussions.
Consider theming elements that reflect the values or traditions of the faith community, such as nature-inspired equipment for creation-focused faiths or inclusive designs that emphasize community and acceptance.
Read More: Why Your Community of Faith Needs a Playground
The Importance of Age-Appropriate Design
As noted, playground equipment is carefully designed to match children's developmental stages. The three main age groups you should take note of when researching equipment are:
- Toddlers (6 months to 2 years): Focus on gross motor skill development with crawl spaces, shallow slides, and simple climbing elements. Sensory panels and activity boards are also beneficial at this stage.
- Preschoolers (2 to 5 years): Encourage imaginative play with playhouses, vehicle-themed structures, and role-play panels. Low climbing walls, balance beams, and small step climbers develop basic physical skills.
- School-age children (5 to 12 years): Provide more challenging and complex equipment like rope climbers, overhead ladders, and vertical climbing walls. This age group benefits from equipment that encourages social interaction and cooperative play.
Read More: 8 Tips for Designing a Playground
Inclusive Play for All
You can incorporate inclusive playground equipment into any playground or build an entirely inclusive space. This type of equipment ensures that children of all abilities can play together. Some examples include:
- Sensory Wave Climber
- Harmonic Chimes
- GTWave Inclusive Net Climber
- Sona Dance & Play Arch
- Rox-All See-Saw
Other inclusive elements might include wheelchair-accessible merry-go-rounds, wide ramps for easy access to elevated structures, and communication boards for non-verbal children.
Additional Considerations
No matter the type of playground, certain elements are universally essential. Be sure to think about the following:
- Shade structures for sun protection: Strategically placed canopies or trees to provide relief from direct sunlight, especially over high-use areas and equipment that can get hot.
- Comfortable seating: Benches with backs and armrests help with rest and allow clear views of play areas.
- Adequate trash receptacles: Conveniently located and animal-resistant bins to keep the playground clean.
- Clear signage for rules and age recommendations: Easily readable signs with pictograms to communicate important information to all users.
Consider the following, as well:
- Proper fencing or barriers to define the play area and enhance safety.
- Bike racks to encourage active transportation to the playground. Water fountains for hydration, including accessible heights and bottle-filling stations.
- Adequate lighting for extended use hours, especially in community settings.
Start Your Playground Project
At MRC, we're committed to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive play spaces for all communities. Whether planning a new playground or upgrading an existing one, our team of experts is here to help. From design to installation, we ensure that every playground meets the highest safety, durability, and fun standards.
Ready to start your playground project or have questions? Reach out to MRC today. Let's work together to create a play space that will delight and develop the children in your community for years to come!