How to Add a Rubber Surface to a Playground

As rubber surfaces become increasingly popular, many playgrounds are converting to this man-made substance after years of using natural materials. The benefits are many, including longevity, safety and cost. Rubber mulch is also considered a "green" alternative, both because it is made from used tires and because it is a relatively permanent solution. By contrast, wood mulch requires trees to be cut down and must be replaced somewhat frequently. That said, proper application of rubber mulch is essential to maximizing the benefits of the material. Failure to do so can create a false sense of security or lead to material waste over time.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Wheel barrow
• Weed blocking material
• Border materials, 6 to 8 inches tall, wood or plastic

1. Remove all remnants of the former playground surface materials such as mulch, sand or pebbles. These can be reused elsewhere but often lead to instability once a rubber surface is installed. Contrary to what you might think, installing one protective surface over another does not increase the safety of the final resul--in fact, it has a lessening effect.

2. Use the shovel to pry up and remove any obviously dangerous objects (such as trash or rocks) from the ground where the surface will be applied. The bare soil should be as flat as possible so that the application depth of the rubber mulch is uniform.

3. Take black weed-blocking plastic or a similar material and apply throughout the playground surface area. Edges should overlap to prevent infiltration by particularly determined weeds, and to prevent the rubber mulch from settling into the ground below, diminishing the overall thickness of the material.

4. Reinforce or otherwise create a border surrounding the playground area. Older playgrounds will likely need to be retrofitted with safer, more modern contrivances such as rounded plastic borders. The rubber surface material should be applied at a 6- to 8-inch minimum height, so the border should equal this amount.

5. Apply the rubber surface material in the playground area. Use a rake to smooth it out for even disbursement and make sure the material reaches the top of the border to prevent tripping. Rubber mulch does not require much in the way of maintenance, but regular use will tend to push the mulch towards the edges and away from landing zones (at the end of slides and under swings). Use a rake to smooth the mulch every month or two so that protection is available where it is needed most.

References

• Consumer Product Safety Commission: "Public Playground Safety Checklist"

Resources

• RubberMulchBlog.com
• RubberRecycle.com