How to Make a Layout of a Playground
Making the layout for a playground is the first step in the construction process. Many things need to be considered when making a playground layout, such as the age of the children who will be using it and your budget. Safety, ground cover, materials and store-bought equipment are other things to consider. With careful planning and a few drawing materials, a playground layout can be made to meet specific needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Write down the specific needs the playground will need to meet, such as the age of the children using it, safety concerns and ideas for equipment like monkey bars, slides and swings. Write approximate prices next to equipment, landscaping and ground cover as you write them down to stay within your budget.
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Measure the space you have using a measuring tape. Measure all equipment you plan on including in the layout. Allow for 6 additional feet in every direction around each piece of equipment to allow for the movement of the equipment and the children's movement. Determine how much space you will need based upon your specific needs. If the layout is for a school playground, more space will be needed than for a playground at home.
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Draw a basic outline of the area where the playground will be built on some drafting paper. Draw each piece of intended equipment and landscaping. Write measurements taken of the equipment and space between each piece on the layout. Include height, width and depth with each piece on the layout. This will make construction go more smoothly. Place equipment more than 30 inches high at least 9 feet away from other equipment. Place swing sets 24 inches apart and allow 30 inches between each swing. Place equipment with moving parts like seesaws, merry-go-rounds and swings in a separate area from the rest of the playground's layout. Place basketball courts, volleyball courts and other sporting areas at least 15 feet away from playground equipment.
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Tips & Warnings
Color in each piece of landscaping and equipment using colored pencils or markers to give your layout a professional touch.
Add a fence to your playground to keep unwanted people and animals out.
Place ground cover such as mulch, sand or shredded rubber under all playground equipment to protect against falls.
Use age-appropriate equipment when making a playground layout to prevent injury to the children using it.
Your playground layout should be free of any rocks, tree stumps or debris to prevent injury.
References
- LSU Ag Center; Playground Layouts; EX. 5824
- Children's Hospital Colorado: Playground Safety
- Marsha Garrette; Southern Playground Inc.; Virginia Beach, Virginia
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
