INSIGHTS
Dave Roberts, PLA, ASLA
Senior Vice President - Planning & Business DevelopmentWhen imagining a playground, most people likely first think of a spiraling slide or a high-flying swing. Of course, play equipment is essential to a playground, but what’s under that equipment is just as important.
A playground’s surface is a critical component worthy of careful consideration during the design process. It’s essential to understand how various surface types impact safety, accessibility, maintenance, and overall aesthetics. A playground with the wrong surface type could create an unsafe maintenance headache with barriers that exclude some children. However, some surfaces can help elevate the playground experience for kids of all abilities.
Inclusive playground at Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park - Lowell, Arkansas
Safety
Unitary surfaces, such as synthetic grass and poured-in-place rubber, are widely considered to be the safest choice because they offer a cushioned floor to lessen the impact of falls. While a cheaper option, loose-fill surfaces like engineered wood fiber do not provide the same impact rating. Additionally, unsafe objects sometimes hide below loose-fill surfaces, and it can be tempting for children to throw or chew the fill material.
Inclusive playground at Two Rivers Park - Little Rock, Arkansas
Accessibility and inclusion
Wheelchairs and strollers move with little to no restriction on rubber and synthetic grass playground surfaces. The same cannot be said for loose-fill options. While engineered wood fiber and rubber mulch meet minimum ADA standards, they do not provide the same ease of movement. Landscape mulch, sand, and pea gravel surfaces are not ADA-compliant and should not be used at public parks and playgrounds.
Inclusive playground at Mills Park - Bryant, Arkansas
Park theme and aesthetics
A playground’s surface can enhance the look and feel of a park and could mean the difference between an environment that sparks play and imagination and one that’s bland. Poured-in-place rubber is popular for its wide-ranging color options and custom design possibilities. It can carry out a park’s theme, highlight walkways and circulation patterns, and add color vibrancy. Imagine a playground with a fishing hole theme. The rubber colors can represent water, sandbars, and even lily pads.
Creative Park Amenities with Cost Recovery Potential
Barry Williams, PLA, ASLA
Project Manager - Prism Design StudioParks and recreation departments provide essential public services, but funding constraints prevent many from adding more beneficial programs. Most local departments rely on tax-based revenue from general funds. Non-tax revenue generated from fees, permits, sponsorships, and donations is often a smaller but vital funding source. Amenities that incorporate cost-recovery features, such as user fees, can help parks and recreation departments enrich and sustain recreational offerings without creating a budget shortfall.
It is essential to recognize that each local government is different, and therefore cost-recovery policies should incorporate a community's unique values. For example, if there is consensus that a program substantially benefits the community as a whole, a department may be less inclined to collect fees. On the other hand, a department may collect fees for an amenity that primarily benefits individuals, such as campsite rentals or classes. Some departments formally adopt cost recovery policies to address these issues transparently.
Most departments generate non-tax revenue from facility rentals and concessions. However, some cities are seeing success with creative, less common amenities.
The following is a list of out-of-the-box ideas that your department might consider implementing.
Dog park lectures from local experts
It's no secret that the number of dog parks is rising across the country. While most cities with dog parks do not collect user fees, some departments provide special on-site programming and charge a sign-up fee. Cities can invite local canine experts to host sessions on topics including behavior training, dog park etiquette, skills course activities, and hiking. This programming can help both dogs and dog owners feel more comfortable at the park, while enhancing safety, and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
How Walkable is your Community?
Dave Roberts, PLA, ASLA
Senior Vice President - Planning & Business DevelopmentWalking is a relative term that means foot (or wheel) transportation. My teenage daughter uses a power wheelchair for mobility and her rolling fits under the category of walking. Often bike riding falls in line with walkability as well. Many urban and suburban dwellers have the benefit of utilizing bicycles as an option for commuting to work or to other amenities. Many think of cycling only in terms of recreation, and it can be, but a bicycle is also an alternative form of (active) transportation. While some communities are well-positioned for this influx in active transportation, others may not be.
