For those in charge of designing parks and choosing outdoor playground equipment, selecting the right pieces to create a fun, safe, long-lasting play environment is an important task. By evaluating consumer feedback and industry standards, this guide dives into popular types of equipment and advantages.
Play Systems With Multiple Functions
Multi-use playgrounds, built-in modern parks along with flexible structures. Usually, these feature a slide attached to either side of the other two components above. According to a 2021 industry report, Parks with multi-functional units have up to an additional 40% visitor access vs sites only offering single function equipment. The great thing with these structures is that they can be used for a variety of age groups from the little toddlers, right up to pre-teens making them not only cheap but also space and cost effective.
Timeless Favorites: Swing Sets
Even today, Swing sets are one of the most popular types outdoor playground equipment. The reason their popularity is long lasting is due to the fact that swinging can be broken down into an activity that everyone enjoys, no matter what age. Today's swing sets are built to last, constructed with rust-resistant materials like galvanized steel for long lasting strength and added safety. As a result, playgrounds with modern safety-rated swing chains are seeing 50% reduction in annual maintenance costs and significantly fewer injury incidents.
The Best Sensory and Interactive Equipment
Interactive and sensory equipment is now readily available to support the growing needs of all children and especially those with disabilities. This equipment including musical item and texture in panels that drives childs cognitive development and sensory skills with grooming coordination on hand to eye loop. With families who have children with special needs visiting playgrounds that feature sensory-friendly play areas 35% more often (2020 survey), it clearly demonstrates the need for inclusive design in these environments.
Gym-Inspired Features
An increasing trend to advocate health and fitness in children has resulted in partnership oriented park exercise materials. These kinds of installations, which might also have obstacle courses or balance beams, are meant to encourage physical activity through play. Parks with fitness equipment attract 20% more park users than those without it, raising a clear need for play that is health-oriented.
Eco-friendly Alternatives
As the world is moving towards sustainability, eco-friendly playground equipment made from recycled materials are hitting it off. Not only do these products reduce ecological footprints, they are safer & more durable than standard materials. They have greater decay and weathering resistance, which ends up saving money in the form of inevitable maintenance costs. In 2022 a study confirmed that parks with sustainable equipment were able to significantly boost visitor satisfaction by up to 30%, showing public approval of more Earth-friendly alternatives.
The addition of this type of equipment in parks helps increase the enjoyment park visitors derive from their experience and supports inclusivity, safety and community health. The right mix of traditional and innovative playground structures can turn a great park into an even greater community hub at any level in our own backyard!
Our outdoor playground equipment is designed to offer a wide variety of solutions in the higher quality range, ensuring that there are options for every need your public space may have.