Choosing the best location for your commercial playground involves assessing the plot size, topography, amenities, accessibility, and other aspects. Consider how the playground will impact the surrounding community before leasing the plot or breaking ground. Commercial playgrounds can be near schools, businesses, churches, and recreational spaces. Here are some tips to help you find the best location for your commercial playground equipment:
Calculate Space Requirement
The pieces of a commercial playground include swing sets, spring bouncers, and balance toys. You may also include climbing structures, craggy rocks, crawl tubes, standing panels, free spinners, tree houses, seesaws, slides, music toys, and games. The playground should have enough space to hold all equipment and complementary structures like shades, benches, pavements, and boundary fencing. Outlining the playground components gives you an idea of how much space you need and where each piece will be installed.
Consider the age groups and abilities of your target clients to get an idea of the playground equipment to buy. Involve a commercial playground equipment supplier to help you plan your layout and space requirements. Playground equipment retailers can also help you with budgeting, landscaping, equipment selection, installation, and maintenance. Narrow down your equipment list to calculate the minimum space required to set up the playground. The best playground location should have enough space between equipment and structures.
Choose the Topography
Topography refers to the plot’s layout, which includes the natural and artificial features of the location. The topography affects land grading, foundation building, and where to implement specific play systems. Experienced playground equipment suppliers and installers can help you use the topography to your advantage. If the site has elevated spaces, you can use higher decks to reduce excavation requirements. Your playground installer can help you determine the grading and leveling required for safety reasons.
Analyzing the level grade helps you to find even ground that requires minimal grading. Even topography reduces the time, effort, and money needed to level the area and provide proper drainage outlets. Proper grading allows rainfall and snow water to flow away from your landscaping and playground surfacing. Grading also provides a strong foundation for your playground equipment. A playground installer can review the topography, soil type, and drainage issues to estimate the grading required.
Find Flourishing Communities
Some of the best locations for commercial playgrounds are near schools, libraries, open spaces, shopping malls, and vastly populated areas. The communities provide the market for your commercial playground and may help shape what equipment you purchase. Involving the local community can help you implement playground equipment and structures to attract more families. Consider getting feedback from the schools, neighborhood associations, and recreation centers to identify the community’s needs.
Find communities with young families and kids within walking distance. You can also review existing community amenities and accessibility aspects like ample parking, nearby bathrooms, shaded areas, bike paths, and sidewalks. Consider adding picnic tables and benches where parents and caregivers can rest while watching the kids play. Trim tall trees and adjust your landscaping to create a playground space with clear visibility. Review the different age groups and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to install inclusive playground equipment for all abilities.
Review Playground Utilities
Choosing a playground location may involve identifying utilities like gas, power, cable, phone, water, and sewer lines. Review the location of all utility lines to determine how they impact your playground layout. High playground platforms and landscaping trees should stay away from the overhead powerlines. You may need to trim existing trees to make space for new power lines or opt for underground installations. The playground installer can find out where underground lines are located.
Once the lines are located, the playground installer can call service providers to mark the locations. Location marking helps construction workers to avoid damaging city infrastructure. Playground installers can also inspect and assess the usability of existing utility lines. If the utilities are usable, the installer can find a way to connect your new lines and save costs. The playground installer must also determine how to build your playground around old, unusable utility lines safely.
Find a Commercial Playground Equipment Retailer
A playground equipment retailer can help you find quality playsets for your new commercial playground. The retailer can also help you budget, plan, and install the playground. Contact a commercial playground equipment retailer today to learn more about choosing the best location for your project.