Tired of your children’s play area being untidy and unsafe? Say no more because installing a playground border is the key! In this article, we will cover how installing a sturdy border is essential and how the right tools and materials make all the difference. Keep reading to know the expert step-by-step instructions for a safe play area your kids will love.
Benefits of Building a Playground Border
There are several benefits of having a playground border in a play area, including:
Enhanced Safety:
A playground border defines the boundaries of the play area and prevents children from running out into traffic or other unsafe areas. It also helps to contain ground cover materials such as sand, mulch, or wood chips, preventing them from spreading out and potentially causing tripping hazards.
Improved Organization:
A playground organizes the play area by separating it from the rest of the space, including walkways or parking lots. It makes children’s supervision and playtime monitoring easier for adults.
Aesthetically Pleasing:
Playground borders enhance the overall appearance of a play area by creating a neat and tidy appearance. They make the play area more attractive to children and adults alike, which encourages more use of the space.
Durable and Long-lasting:
A properly installed playground border is durable and long-lasting and withstands years of wear and tear from children playing and running around. It saves money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
Suitable for Play Areas:
A playground border is suitable for various play areas, including sandboxes, swing sets, and others. It is a versatile addition to any play area. It adapts the area to playtime equipment and activities.
How to Build a Playground Border – Stepwise Instructions
Now that we’ve covered the important reasons to build playground borders, here are the stepwise instructions on how to build one:
Determine the Size and Shape of the Border:
Before you start installing playground borders, make sure to measure the size and shape of the play area.
Take a measuring tape to determine the length of each side of the play area. One handy tool to use for this purpose is the Komelon SM5425 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Measuring Tape, a high-quality, durable measuring tape that provides precise measurements. While measuring, make sure to measure the area in a square. This will help you calculate border materials quantity you need.
Choose the Right Border Material:
Do you prefer a wooden playground border or plastic playground borders? The choice is yours. You can use wood, plastic, metal, and rubber to build a border. This will depend on your budget, the installation equipment, and your personal preferences.
Prepare the Ground:
Once you have determined the border size and shape, the next step is to prepare the ground for installation. Clear the ground from any debris, vegetation, or rocks. Use a shovel and rake to level the cleared ground.
Dig the Trench:
When installing a wooden or plastic playground border, dig a trench around the playground area perimeter. The trench should be 6 inches deep and wide enough to contain the border. If you are using metal borders, you can skip this step.
For this task, you might want to consider the Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel, a multi-purpose tool known for its efficiency, and the Bully Tools 92309 12-Gauge 16-Inch Bow Rake, which is a sturdy and long-lasting tool perfect for landscaping work.
Install the Border:
Place the border in the trench and screw it to the ground. Check the border and ground level and make it even. If you are using wood borders, use stakes or rebar to anchor the border to the ground.
Plastic borders:
First, stake the plastic border into the ground at regular intervals around the perimeter of the play area. Then, connect the sections of the border using the connectors provided. Finally, use a mallet or hammer to ensure that the border is firmly in place.
Rubber borders:
Begin by laying the rubber border sections end-to-end around the perimeter of the play area. Then, use metal stakes to anchor the border to the ground. Be sure to place stakes at regular intervals to ensure that the border is secure.
Wood borders:
Dig a trench around the playground perimeter of the play area. Place the wood border in the trench and use stakes or rebar to anchor it to the ground. Check ground level and flush.
Metal borders:
Use a drill to create holes in the metal border at regular intervals along the length of the border. Then, use screws to attach the border to the ground. Be sure to use screws that are long enough to anchor the border securely.
Secure the Border:
After installing the border, make sure that it is secure. Use additional stakes or brackets to secure the border in place. Check to see if the border is level and make any necessary adjustments.
Add the Playground Material:
Once the border is installed and secured, you can fill the play area with playground surface material such as wood chips, rubber mulch, or sand. Spread all the materials evenly and make sure that it is at the desired depth.
Add Finishing Touches:
Finally, add any finishing touches such as edging, landscaping, or signage. This will help create a safe and attractive play area.
Save Time and Labor – Get a Playground Border Builder Kit
Get a tool-free playground border kit with straight boards. A top pick in this category is the Playsafer Playground Edging Border, which is renowned for its durability and easy assembly process.
The ready-to-use kit helps you install playground ground borders without needing any specialized tools or equipment. You can save time and money, and reduce the risk of injuries during installation.
Convenient and Easy Playground Border Installation
Unlike traditional playground borders that require trench digging and specialized tools to secure the borders, the playground border kit is a more convenient and safer method.
The kit has sturdy composite boards which you can secure using a simple snap-lock system. You can easily install the border without any prior experience or expertise with the help of the playground border kit.
Easy Maintenance and Adjustments
Another benefit of using a tool-free playground border kit is that it allows for easy maintenance and adjustments. If you need to add or remove sections of the border, you can simply detach and reattach the composite boards without any additional tools or equipment. This makes it easy to keep your playground border in good condition and make any necessary adjustments as your needs change over time.
Cost-Effective Playground Border Kit
A tool-free playground border kit with straight boards is a convenient and cost-effective solution for building a safe and attractive play space. It offers several benefits over traditional installation methods, including ease of installation, maintenance, and adjustments, as well as reducing the risk of injury during installation.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, building a playground border is indeed an important part of creating a safe and engaging play area for children. The tips and tricks we covered earlier will help you build a durable and attractive playground border that will protect you and your children from hazards.
Always keep in mind that the keys to building a playground are proper ground preparation and a secured border tucked in place firmly. With these, you’ll guarantee that your little ones will play in a safe playground space. Way to go, pal!
