Playground turf choice for a kids’ playground is not simply a matter of choosing the lushest green natural grass. There is a lot more to consider when it comes to ensuring your kids have a safe environment for play.
Granted, in Springtime, when the ground is soft, your kids can jump around without much risk. However, as the days get warmer and the ground bakes in the heat, the playground surface becomes less forgiving. Also, during wet weather, a natural grassed playground can become off-limits due to poor drainage and mud.
Therefore, let’s take a look at a different playground turf option – artificial grass.
Artificial playground turf technology has improved significantly in recent years. A couple of decades ago, artificial turf for homes and gardens was not particularly high-quality. It was its introduction into sporting arenas and stadia that drove rapid improvements in performance. Also, in those days, the only resemblance artificial grass had with its natural counterpart was its color. However, even that looked fake!
However, today things are different. Artificial grass is becoming more common as a playground turf surface. Now, as well as looking like the real thing, artificial grass provides added safety for children. Artificial playground turf surfaces are installed with your child’s safety as a priority.
Installations include “fall zones” below the turf that provide cushioning. These areas provide a much softer landing than a hard-baked natural grassed area could. Let’s take a look at how they achieve this.
Playground turf installers can provide a cushioned surface in several ways. One method is by using a mono-blade for the grass fibers. These blades are softer and less abrasive than others, as they have no ridges.
In contrast, a W-shaped blade is more rigid, so would be more abrasive if fallen upon. Of course, there are many uses for W-shaped blade artificial grass. However, the softer option is more suitable for playground turf.
Another cushioning option is to use a heavier and thicker blend of turf. For instance, a 90-ounce turf will provide more cushioning than a thinner 50 or 60-ounce blend. Imagine falling into one inch or 2 feet of snow The deep snow will cushion your fall much more.
Installers incorporate a light-density as part of the overall cushioning of playground turf. This foam is typically between one and two inches thick. Light-density foam allows water to drain through from the fibers above. Generally, this foam comes from recycled materials. It also meets strict safety standards.
The picture below shows an example of a light-density foam layer for playground turf.
The next image shows an example of the standard layering system used in playground turf. You can see the top layer of 90-ounce mono-blade turf that provides the initial impact protection. Next, the light-density foam provides the second layer of cushioning. These both sit on top of a base of crushed gravel and sand that provides further flexibility and drainage.
The IPEMA sets the standards to which playgrounds and equipment must achieve. It is a non-profit organization helping product manufacturers develop safe products. They also communicate with teachers and parents regarding the importance of play area safety.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Statistics quoted by the National Safety Council reveal over 200,000 daily playground injuries. Add slides, climbing frames, swings, and so on into the mix, your kid’s chance of falling increases. Therefore, it is crucial that their landing zone provides adequate cushioning to avoid serious injury.
As a homeowner, you have several options for providing a soft surface. Gravel, sand, wood chips, and bark mulch will all provide an element of cushioning. However, each of these have their limitations, and can move around as kids play, leaving unprotected areas.
Even laying specialist shock-absorbing mats has its issues. These are typically thick dark rubber that absorbs heat and leaves the surface hot. They can also have an unpleasant smell, particularly in warm weather.
Using artificial grass for your playground turf allows you to maintain a natural look to your garden. It will maintain its lush-green look all year round. You can also do this with minimal maintenance, meaning you have a hassle-free area.
Incorporating organic infill to your grass fibers will disperse them and help keep air circulating. Airflow aids getting rid of odors left by spilt drinks, food, or pet fouling.
When it rains, many other surfaces can become flooded as they do not provide adequate drainage. Artificial playground turf drains 25 times faster than other surfaces, including natural grass. Therefore, your kids can get the maximum fun time from their playground area.
Hopefully, this article has informed you of why artificial playground turf is an excellent option for your children’s play areas. If you have any queries regarding playground turf or artificial grass, please get in touch with us today.
210 S Thompson St. Unit 6
Springdale, AR 72764