If you own an outdoor playground for kids or you are thinking of venturing into this business, one thing is certain; you must invest in high-quality playground equipment. Choosing the right commercial playground equipment can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time.

You may not know where to start from, or the process can be overwhelming, and you might just end up making mistakes- mistakes that may cost you a lot in the long run. Thankfully, you can easily avoid these mistakes if you are aware of them; after all, knowledge is power.

This blog discusses the most common mistakes people make when choosing playground equipment commercial for schools, churches, or amusement parks. So, without wasting more time, let’s delve into them.

1. Failing to set a budget

One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to purchasing commercial playground equipment is not having a budget. Remember that there is more to playground equipment than just the cost of the equipment. You must account for many things, including park benches, shade structures, picnic tables, safety surfacing, installation, etc.

In addition, the type of equipment you choose and how much site preparation can also add to the total cost of commercial equipment. Some equipment, especially extremely durable and high-quality, tends to cost more.

When coming up with a budget for your playground, you need to pay attention to these factors:

•  You should allocate $1,000 per child. If you are setting up the playground for 30 kids, you should
  have a budget of at least $30,000.
• Playground equipment can cost 50-60% of your total budget, while installation costs account for
  20-25%. The cost of site preparation generally varies depending on the location.
•  Lastly, remember to set aside money for safety surfacing.
  When it comes to setting a budget for playgrounds, there is no shortcut. If you cut costs, you might
  compromise the safety of the equipment and even the playground itself. So, remember to be as flexible
  as possible with your budget.

2. Choosing the wrong size

Another common mistake people make when it comes to purchasing playground equipment commercial is choosing the wrong size. Before setting up the playground, you must determine the number of children you want to accommodate. How many children will be using the equipment?

If your playground serves a small community in the neighborhood, a smaller playground that accommodates several families may be an ideal choice. But you must purchase larger equipment if the playground is for an elementary school or a bigger amusement park.

Choosing the right size can be tricky, so you might just choose the wrong size if you are not careful. Here
are tips to help you choose the right size:

•  Determine the approximate number of kids who will be using the playground at a
  particular time
•  Every child should have 70 square feet to allow them to move freely and comfortably
•  You can add various play areas to avoid overcrowding which puts the safety of the kids
  at risk
• Make sure that all pieces of playground equipment have the correct use zone or fall
  zone

3. Ignoring the older children

Good playground equipment should accommodate children of all ages. In most cases, people usually focus more on children between 3-8 years. They tend to forget children between 8-12 years. But over the years, playgrounds have come a long way, and they can now accommodate the young, the old, and even those children with disabilities.

So, when purchasing commercial playground equipment, make sure that you consider the older children as well so they can also have fun. However, make sure you add labels or signage to help parents know which play area is appropriate for their children for safety purposes.

4. Going for low-quality equipment

Of course, when purchasing your commercial playground equipment, you want to ensure they last as long as possible and serve you more. You can only achieve this by purchasing high-quality equipment But some people, because they want to save a few bucks, often opt to go for substandard equipment that will not only put the kids’ safety at risk but will also not last longer, making the investment wasteful.

5. The playground is not meeting safety guidelines

The safety of the children when playing at the playground is paramount. Safety guidelines are put in place in the US to prevent hazards and reduce injuries on a playground. The majority of the injuries that happen at the playground often occur because of improper or neglected maintenance as well as inadequate surfacing. So, if you want to enhance the safety of the children when using the equipment:

• Make sure that the manufacturer follows and adheres to ASTM and CPSC requirements.
•  Plan for regular inspections of the equipment
• Schedule routine maintenance on all the components

6. Not contacting the local laws

This is another common mistake that most people make when it comes to playgrounds and playground equipment. Purchasing and installing playground equipment commercial without first going through the local council regulations may cause problems, and you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

So, before anything, make sure that you check with the local authorities to see if you are permitted to install commercial playground equipment in that particular area.

Final thoughts

Buying playground equipment commercial can be both exciting and challenging. But, if you know what to look for and the mistakes to avoid, it can be easy and fulfilling. Now that you know the mistakes you should avoid when purchasing commercial playground equipment, we hope you can purchase the right equipment that will last longer and give you a higher value.