Common Playground Safety Surface Options for Your Playground or Playspace
To ensure your playground or playspace remains safe and durable, selecting an appropriate surface option is important. There are several options to consider depending on your playground requirements. Read on to find out more about the common safety surface options available for your playground or playspace.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is a great option for those who want their playground surfacing to blend into the environment, creating a more natural look. It is also cost-effective compared to other synthetic playground surfacing options and is a great safe option to make areas accessible or remove muddy unusable areas.
- Enhances the aesthetic of your playground or playspace with a natural look
- Comes in various colours and lengths for design flexibility
- Safe for use in playgrounds due to its shock-absorbing additional sub layers and is suitable for accessible surfaces or to cover muddy areas
- Cost-effective compared to wet pour rubber surfaces; but does require yearly maintenance for optimal performance
- Strategic placement is critical to avoid wear in high traffic areas, and consideration is needed for seam integrity
- Not suitable on slopes
- Requires shade due to heat retention in full sun areas
Rubber Interlocking Tiles
Rubber interlocking tiles are ideal for playground areas with high usage. Made from recycled materials and designed to drain water effectively, these are a great durable, low-maintenance option.
- Durable and low maintenance, ideal for high traffic zones
- Shock-absorbent additional sub layer under tiles ensures safety and accessibility
- Economical with the ability to replace individual tiles as needed
- Composed of recycled materials
- Designed for effective drainage
- Suitable for covering existing concrete or asphalt
- Available in various colours; lighter shades reduce heat absorption in sunny areas
- Offers design versatility with options for single or mixed colour patterning
Cushionfall / Shredded Wood Chip
Using Cushionfall or Shredded Wood Chip surfacing is one of the best options if you are looking for a sustainable playground surfacing option. This option also blends into the environment enhancing the natural look of your playground and allowing for incorporation of plants and gardens within the playground area.
- Eco-friendly biodegradable shredded woodchips for a sustainable choice
- Due to its shredded nature, it meshes better than more traditional “bark” type surfacing, helping to eliminate spreading of the loose material outside of the playspace.
- Enhances natural aesthetics and allows for integration with plant life and garden beds
- Maintenance includes periodic topping up and raking in high-traffic zones
- Economical and cooler surface compared to artificial options
- Can be used in conjunction with other materials for cost-effectiveness
- Not recommended for slopes or areas requiring wheelchair access due to potential displacement
- Requires 300mm minimum depth for safety compliance
Scuff Matts
Scuff Matts are a great playground surfacing option for cushionfall playground areas that have high wear areas. Slide exits, flying foxes, underneath swings or around spinners are all great examples of scuff matts used effectively.
- Ideal for protecting cushionfall areas prone to wear, such as slide exits, under swings, or around spinners
- Securely pinned over cushionfall, these mats retain mulch effectively, preventing displacement caused by play
- Cost-effective solution to reduce maintenance needs while maintaining a natural playground surface
Wet Poured Rubber
This playground surfacing method consists of two layers: a colourful top layer complemented by a layer underneath made of shock-absorbing rubber, enhancing safety for children at play.
- Customisable colour combinations and designs for educational and playful experiences
- Opt for lighter colours to reduce heat absorption in sunny areas
- Eco-friendly sub layer, made from recycled materials, ensuring a low maintenance solution suitable for high wear areas, under trees, and over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt
- Only safety playground surface suitable for slopes
- Versatile and accessible, ideal for a wide variety of inclusive playground environments
3D Rubber Surfaces
It is possible to create 3D play surfaces by using topography play around and through a playground or playspace. The use of wetpour rubber surfacing is the only way to achieve topographical play, which may not be suitable for all options but is a great option for tricky playground or playspace areas.
- Create engaging 3D landscapes with sloped surfaces for unique, unscripted play experiences
- Enhance your playground with premade rubber playground equipment like mushroom steppers and spheres to encourage “Play on the Way”
- Ideal for fall zones and help fill up empty spaces in your playground or playspace
- Add colour, fun, and extra seating to any base safety surface such as artificial turf to cushionfall
Sand
Sand, like Cushionfall, is another loose material that can be used as a safety surface option for your playground or playspace.
- Offers a natural, tactile, and sensory play experience with its loose material
- Economical upfront but requires regular maintenance including topping up and raking
- Needs a minimum depth of 300mm for effective shock absorption, so the surface needs to be raised or sunken to provide easy entry
- Not wheelchair-friendly and challenging for pushchairs and walkers to navigate
Grass Retention Tiles
Grass Retention Tiles provide the natural benefits of a grass surface with the addition of a tile system to provide extra traction and grass protection for high wear areas, such as flying foxes, slopes or access ways.
- Compliant with New Zealand Playground Standards for fall heights up to 1000mm, providing there is a risk assessment completed that shows the surface is 150mm deep and free from stones or hard objects
- Strengthens wear areas: the tile system promotes grass growth, requiring ongoing maintenance for optimal condition
- Economical playground surfacing solution but does require regular upkeep to ensure good grass coverage
