Accessible playgrounds are becoming popular across Canada. Children who are differently abled should not be deprived of outdoor playground activity. Ensuring they are able to access playground equipment is one way we can improve their quality of life. There are a variety of ways that an existing playground can be improved, or a new playground designed to ensure optimal accessibility.
A few things to consider:
- Purchase playground equipment that allows activities to be completed at multiple heights, most importantly accessible from the ground level.
- Incorporate accessible ramps rather than stairs.
- Choose swings that allow easy access for children with physical disabilities (consider specialized swing seats).
- Limit the physical barriers surrounding the playground area.
- Choose colors that are visually appealing and stimulating. Where possible, incorporate color designs into the surface area to increase play value.
Most importantly:
- Ensure the surfacing allows the playground equipment to be easily accessible. Do not use loose-fill surfacing such as pea gravel, sand, rubber shred or wood fiber. Parents who have experience pushing wheelchairs at a playground will confirm that it is very difficult to push a wheelchair on a loose-fill surface.
- Bonded surfacing such as pour in place rubber is a great alternative surface material. Although this option may initially be more expensive, it does not require the yearly maintenance costs required by loose-fill surfaces. This is because loose-fill surfaces must have new fill added regularly to ensure it meets the CSA and ASTM fall height standards.
Aside from savings in ongoing maintenance costs, what other benefits are there of pour in place rubber surfacing?
- Foreign objects such as needles and other matter are more visible, therefore there is less risk of children being exposed to harmful objects.
- Customization options are endless. Visit the following link to view suggested customization options: https://www.softlinesolutions.net/products/pour-in-place-surfacing-pages/firstbase-surfacing
- ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible.
- Surfaces utilizing black recycled rubber crumb are LEED compliant.
- By using recycled vehicle tires, we help create a sustainable environment (in 2017 alone, Softline saved 113,400 tires from reaching the landfill).
- Tire recycling grants can fund a substantial amount of pour in place rubber surfacing projects for non-profit organizations, reducing overall project costs.
By choosing FirstBase pour in place rubber surfacing, your playground can provide maximum accessibility and inclusion for all.
FirstBase safety surfaces are certified by IPEMA (International Playground Equipment Manufacturer’s Association) which means our products and processes are audited by TUV SUD and held to international standards.
Contact us today for more information regarding pour in place rubber surfacing, or visit our website at www.softlinesolutions.net.
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