How to Calculate a Playground Border

A playground border makes soft landings possible.

Playground borders are typically interlocking pieces of straight length boards, rails or plastic timbers. The borders hold mulch, sand or rubber pieces that provide a soft landing surface. The borders are an integral part of the overall playground design; you should design them to match the playground theme and provide necessary functionality. Calculating the playground border dimensions is a simple task.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Instructions

1. Determine the playground shape and size based on the equipment the area will contain. Leave plenty of excess space around the equipment to allow for adequate safety.

2. Choose the type of playground border to use. Several designs include interlocking 4-to-6-foot plastic rails that are 8 to12 inches tall.

3. Record the design length of each straight side of the playground border. Note the length from corner to corner of all changes in direction. For instance, if one side of the playground is straight for 10 feet but then changes direction, record that straight length of 10 feet. Repeat this until the playground border lengths include the entire design. Add all of the lengths together for a total border length.

4. Determine the number of border pieces by dividing the total border length by the length of a single border piece. For instance, if a playground design is a rectangle that has two 50-foot sides and two 30-foot sides, then the total border length is 160 feet (50 +50 +30+30). If the interlocking border pieces are 4 feet long, then the number of border pieces needed is 160 / 4 or 40 pieces.

References

• Bears Playgrounds: Borders