The Basics of Planning a Playground in Fargo | American Security and Gate Company
For most people, a playground in Fargo is a one-time purchase—with possible add-ons in the future—so it helps to know a few pointers before you start shopping for equipment and surfacing. Our sister division, American Playground Company, is the Midwest’s #1 contractor for play areas; with their help, we’ve assembled this guide on basic questions to ask before installing playgrounds at schools and community areas.
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Who is (financially) in charge of your playground project in Fargo? Are you paying for equipment, surfacing, and accessories out of your own pocket? If not, one of your first steps should be identifying financiers or recruiting a project leadership board. Everybody involved on the money level should be kept in the loop on the playground moving forward. It’s also worthwhile to consult school personnel and city clerks, as they might have some say in what’s ultimately included—or not included—in the finished play area.
What is your project’s budget? This one may seem obvious, but one of the key milestones to getting a playground off the ground is establishing a budget. Once an amount is set, make sure everyone on the leadership team is informed and kept in the loop regarding all purchases. Having a confirmed budget also helps smooth interactions with your playground representative; most contractors will ask to see a budget ahead of time; having one upfront shows them you’re serious about building your playground.
What is the time frame for your playground project in Fargo? When speaking with your playground representative, be sure to ask about worst-case scenarios re: manufacturing lead time and installation. Please note that, for certain products, lead time can be rather long. A good play-it-safe strategy is to pick out a favored product and then select two or three alternatives to fall back on if the projected wait ends up being too long.
What should I look for in Fargo playground contractors? Our friends at American Playground Company of Fargo assure us that a good contractor has: good reviews; solid references; a well-thought-out installation plan; and a proposal that is straightforward and easy to understand. (American Playground Company of Fargo firmly practices these standards—which is why they’re the Midwest’s top contractor!)
What is ADA compliance? Why is it required for my playground? The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) law prohibits discrimination against users with disabilities. Per this law, playgrounds must include: accessible paths from the play area to the nearest building/parking lot; accessible paths from the edge of the play area to the play equipment; surfacing compliant with ASTM 1951 (Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment).
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What type of surfacing is recommended for my playground in Fargo? Like everything else, the process of selecting surfacing is going to depend on your project’s individual needs and circumstances—as well as what you envision for long-term maintenance.
- Solid playground surfacing. Examples include artificial turf, rubber tile, and poured-in-place. Solid surfacing tends to be more expensive than loose fill surfacing—be conscious of this when planning out your project. How much is your team able to spend on surfacing? Will there be enough left for all the playground equipment you want?
- Loose fill playground surfacing. Examples include sand, wood fiber, pea gravel, and rubber mulch. While generally less expensive, loose fill surfacing requires more long-term maintenance.
So back to the question: which surfacing type will work best for your playground in Fargo? First, answer all the previous questions in this article, then compare the benefits and disadvantages of solid and loose fill surfacing. Our comrades at American Playground Company recommend a mixture of the two, using solid where it makes sense and likewise for loose fill. If you have questions about what type works best on certain areas of a playground and why, feel free to contact them! They’ll be more than happy to answer your questions!
Now you know the basic questions to ask before starting a playground project in Fargo. If you want to know more about starting a project—or anything at all involving playground equipment, installation, surfacing, or accessories—feel free to contact our friends at American Playground Company!