Finding the Best Natural Playground Equipment

Finding the Best Natural Playground Equipment

Going green is on just about every modern business’s checklist these days. We’re all looking for measures we can take to be more sustainable and eco-friendly in the long term, and sometimes, we find that the solutions for our future lie closer to the past. Natural playground equipment provides a creative opportunity for playground designers to use their nostalgia while embracing the future’s standards. Natural playgrounds also promote physical, cognitive, and emotional growth in children, supporting their healthy development.

Whether you’re looking to re-purpose recycled materials, use the existing landscape to develop vibrant nature playgrounds, or simply assemble play structures that have a minimal environmental impact, PlaygroundEquipment.com can help. Our team of representatives can assist you in discovering natural playground ideas that will preserve your local ecosystem while still offering a safe, manageable adventure to your smallest customers.

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Planning a Sustainable Play Space

There are many aspects to consider when planning and designing an eco-friendly, natural playground. Recreational planners should ask themselves a number of questions before even breaking ground on an outdoor playground design.

Sometimes, you’ll need to make some tough choices. For example, rubber mulch surfacing for natural playgrounds is derived from recycled materials but can be harmful to the local ecosystem if it’s not properly contained in a defined boundary. Wood chips, on the other hand, are biodegradable but can be more expensive, present potential safety hazards, and need to be replaced every couple of years.

It’s important to keep in mind that play spaces function as places for learning and childhood development. According to research on developing play areas, an ideal learning environment is a well-defined but welcoming space that provides opportunities for risk-taking and challenges. To achieve this end, barriers are an essential component of your playground design. But don’t think that plastic is the only option: Hedges, stumps, and rock faces are just a few of the many rustic options that can define the play area without disrupting its natural feel.

Choosing Natural Outdoor Play Equipment

Whether shopping for commercial-grade structures or natural backyard playscapes, playground planners typically evaluate three different types of green outdoor playground equipment:

• Core play structures can be made of many different kinds of materials. Wood has the lowest environmental impact but also deteriorates more quickly. Keep in mind that natural play structures can either fit into nature or represent nature, as seen in some of the themed structures available from PlaygroundEquipment.com. These structures not only provide physical play opportunities but also stimulate children’s imaginations and creativity.
• Freestanding structures can be made of recycled materials, making for more eco-friendly play equipment. These items may include balancing logs, climbing rocks, and musical instruments that encourage interactive play.
• Surfacing often gets the most attention, as it can affect the nearby groundwater. Extensive studies have been conducted on the effects of poured-in-place surfaces, but ultimately, nothing proved harmful about them. Alternatively, wood chips can be used for a more natural feel and better integration with the environment, though they’ll need to be replaced much more often.

Natural playgrounds are created by taking the time to research and learn about each component, type of material, and area of your space and then organizing the play space and equipment in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.

Allow Us to Help You Plan a Greener Playground Now

Natural outdoor play equipment stimulates children both mentally and physically in a holistic way. Let us help you with natural playscape ideas for a school or park in your community. We have the experience and dedication to help you with your natural playground ideas, with all of the necessary certifications and a great reputation with school administrators and commercial entities across the U.S. Our designs also focus on inclusivity, ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, can enjoy and benefit from natural play environments.

With our specialized knowledge of the environmental factors of natural play, equipment experts like us can help you not only find high-quality products but save on your next purchase. When you buy with us, we guarantee stress-free purchasing, delivery, and installation. And our products are built to last, minimizing material waste over time.

PlaygroundEquipment.com is a family-owned business, and we understand the importance of safe, affordable, and durable products. Contact us today at 1-800-667-0097 to talk to one of our knowledgeable representatives; we’d be glad to help you create the natural playground you envision at a low price.