Artificial Turf in Playground Areas
It's common to see artificial grass in areas like dog shelters and golf courses, but it is also an extremely popular choice for playground or recreation areas. When installed correctly, it can be the perfect choice for many parents and children. Here are the top three benefits of artificial grass playgrounds.
1) Safe Playing Environment
It is well known that synthetic surfaces are easier on children's knees than natural grass fields. The less time that is spent crawling around looking for lost toys, the better! This makes it a much more comfortable surface for kids to play sports or use in other recreational activities.
2) No Mud or Wet Spots
Children love exploring, but they don't always wait until their shoes are clean before heading out the door to play with friends after school. Having an artificial turf surface means you won't have to go through the hassle of surrounding your playground with puddles or mud bogs. Spending more time playing and less time cleaning up after every rainstorm means kids are happier, parents are less stressed out, and everyone is getting their exercise.
3) Drainage System
Water drainage has always been a significant issue with natural grass playground surfaces. Playgrounds surrounded by grass frequently become swampy no matter how much gravel or mulch you put down to absorb the water. You won't have to worry about slipping on wet grass if it rains! With an artificial turf surface, the ground under the turf slopes away from the playground so that all of the water will be directed out toward sidewalks or driveways.
4) Customizable Design
Depending on the area you have for your playground, there may not be a lot of available space. If this is the case with your current situation, artificial grass is an excellent option because it can be utilized in smaller areas without compromising the look and feel of a natural field or lawn. You will also have more design choices when going with synthetic turf, so you can match the surrounding landscaping while still accommodating your kids' needs.
5) Flexible Scheduling
If you're like most parents, mornings are hectic enough without adding recess into the mix! Because an artificial turf surface is low maintenance, it's much easier to schedule after-school activities at times that were previously unusable for things like soccer practice or a picnic. You can even schedule your kids' playtime for the warmer (and drier) summer months without worrying about waiting for the grass to dry before they head back into the house.
6) Customized Maintenance
While it's true that most artificial turf is low maintenance, you can also choose to have your surface customized with additional features for your kids. Some examples of this are sprinkler heads in the ground for water play in the summer months or thermal blanket systems underground to create a safe playing environment in colder weather. You can even add in some specialized equipment like basketball hoops if you want! Whatever designs or accessories you decide to install before beginning construction, make sure they are kid-friendly but closely mimic real-life activities!
7) Tear Resistance
Kids are tough on their toys, and your playground equipment is no exception. Instead of constantly replacing items like swings or slides because the material has worn down after a year's worth of use, artificial surfaces can better handle high levels of wear and tear. The synthetic fibers won't pull out or unravel like natural grass will, so your new play area will be safer for your kids while also lasting longer than ever before!
8) Custom Colors
As you're designing your surface, there may be times when you wish you could insert some bright colors into the field! You don't have to stick with green - go ahead and make your playground the envy of the neighborhood! Luckily, manufacturers today can use specific types of synthetic turf to create fields in almost any color palette imaginable.
9) Perfect for All Ages
Do you have preschoolers? Teenagers? Both? Whatever age range you're working with, synthetic turf is an excellent option for any group. The material provides safe footing at all times of the year, and its durability doesn't discriminate between heavy or light use areas. Everyone can play safely on surfaces that are specially designed to be kid-friendly.
10) Green Solution
Even if you aren't worried about your kids picking up on this concept just yet, it's worth noting that synthetic turf is a green solution to lawns. Artificial surfaces require less water than natural grass, and they also prevent erosion of topsoil, which can help retain nutrients in the ground.
While it's true that installing artificial turf in your playground can be an expensive process, it's important to consider the cost benefits over time. Because the surfaces are made with strong fibers that won't rip or tear easily, you don't have to worry about replacing equipment like slides and swings when they get worn down. On top of this, the material is also kid-friendly because it does not contain substances like lead or arsenic. And last but not least, these types of surfaces prevent water contamination due to runoff!
For more information on how to get artificial turf into your driveway or sidewalk areas, talk to the experts at Artificial Grass San Diego today!