You can start by marking the playground area. To clearly mark the perimeter, use stakes, flags, or marking paint. This will allow you to create a play surface that protects children if they fall. Once you have excavated the area, you will need to fill in the holes with soil.
This mixture will help to keep the soil in place and prevent it from shifting during the excavation process. You can also add a small amount of soil to the bottom of each hole to help prevent soil from falling out during excavation.
If you do not have access to sand, then you can use a mix of 2–3 tablespoons (30–60 g each) crushed gravel and a few drops of water. The mixture should not be too wet, but not so much that it is too dry that you cannot see through it.
Do not use too much of the mixture, as this will make it difficult to remove the dirt that has fallen out.
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Should you put mulch under playset?
Natural grass is not a thick enough cushion to protect kids when they fall. Instead, it’s good to install a protective surface such as: Wood mulch/chips, shredded rubber mulch or engineered wood fiber for equipment up to 2 feet in diameter. If you have a swing set that’s too big for your child, you may want to consider installing a smaller one.
If the swing is too small, the child may not be able to get a good grip on it, which could lead to injury. Also, if the swings are too close together, children may be more likely to bump into each other.
How thick should mulch be for playground?
The rule of thumb for how deep playground mulch should be is 8-12 inches, but every playground is different. The materials used and the height of the play area can affect the depth requirements. For example, some playgrounds may require a minimum depth of 6 inches to protect children from falling objects. For more information on playground safety, visit the National Playground Safety Institute.
What type of mulch is best for playground?
The best fall protection for trees, shrubs and grasses can be found in rubber mulch. It can also be used as a soil conditioner to improve soil quality and reduce erosion.
Do you put mulch down before a swing set?
We recommend installing a weed barrier before the play set is built and prior to adding mulch. Water can’t drain from the play area if the best weed barriers are not in place. You will need to first install the playset on the solid ground surface, and then fill in with mulch around the perimeter.
Is sand or mulch better for playgrounds?
If you want to avoid harmful materials in the sand, make sure you buy a sand specifically made for the playground. If you want the flexibility of a rubber surface, but not the high price tag, rubber mulch is the way to go.
What is the difference between playground mulch and regular mulch?
Organic materials like tree bark and yard waste are used to make regular mulch. The benefits of regular mulch include controlling the rate of water loss and stopping weed growth. Natural wood from a sawmill is ground up into playground mulch.
