When children spot a playground the only thing that goes through their mind is “fun time”, they give no thought whatsoever to the possibility of falling down and ending up with bruises and scratches on their knees and elbows. It is important that outdoor playground flooring be resilient and made from materials that absorb shock. Loose fill material which can be wood chips, sand or shredded rubber from old car tires are often used, they do provide acceptable cushioning but they have their down side.
Any loose fill material hides foreign objects that can easily get into it. Broken glass, stones, nails and rusty metal pose a significant hazard and as any loose material must be of sufficient depth to provide shock absorption, it is easy for foreign objects to become buried, only to do harm when a child falls on it.
Loose materials, especially sand and wood chips quickly compress into a hard surface. These materials require ongoing maintenance to keep them loose and other than shredded rubber, they require constant topping up. When any loose material is used it is important to maintain a depth which will provide protection from falls from different heights, this can make it difficult when different pieces of playground equipment are of different heights.
Although sand does not decompose nor does it get moldy; it makes for a messy surface and after a heavy rain it can take days to completely dry out. In lieu of sand, some playground operators turn to pea gravel, this dries out much quicker but it is hard for the children to walk on. As this material is like little ball bearings, as it escapes the play area it in itself can become a tripping hazard.
Rubber mats, rubber tiles and poured in place synthetic materials are by far the best outdoor playground flooring. In the first instance these materials are more expensive than loose fill, they need very little in the way of maintenance and they do not deny anyone access to the equipment, including children who may be bound to a wheelchair. This modern matting can be laid in attractive colors and patterns to bring the playground alive and the material does not harbor insects, mold or fungus and they do not have to be held in place with containment walls.
