Safety is the key consideration for any play area. Other objectives might include being somewhere stimulating where children can explore, discover and socialise – but, above all, these areas must be safe. Because children love to run and jump and explore the limits of their own bodies it’s essential that they have a soft place to land – that’s why an artificial grass surface is the best option for a play area.
Why not tarmac or real grass?
Children love to be active but have yet to fully develop coordination and motor skills, which means they will always need a soft surface to land on. That’s why something like tarmac is a big ‘no’ when it comes to children’s play areas. It will result in abrasions and bruises and kids may even be afraid to use the equipment in future if they have been hurt. Natural grass is another option and one that is a lot softer than tarmac. However, it can get expensive to use natural grass, which needs constant maintenance and is much more affected by the weather. Plus, natural grass can be incredibly messy thanks to all the mud involved. Even something like play grade chip – which is soft and safe – can also be problematic because it has to be replaced so often (every 2-4 years).
The benefits of artificial grass
There are so many benefits to investing in artificial grass for play areas – these are just some of them:
- Soft and supportive so that any energy from falls is easily absorbed.
- Robust and hard-wearing and able to withstand constant use.
- Easy to adapt for accessibility to ensure that everyone can use the play area equally.
- Cost-effective, both in terms of upfront investment and with respect to maintenance and repair too.
Key considerations with artificial grass
- Choose the right pile length. There are different lengths available (e.g., 30mm and 40mm) and a wide variety of types of artificial grass, many of which have been designed so as to mimic the natural alternative.
- What type of pile is going to be right for you? For example, a straight and curled pile is ideal if you’re looking for artificial grass that has a more natural appearance.
- Consider the shape of the fibres. If you opt for W-shaped fibres these have been intentionally designed so that they can easily bounce back from the pressure of toys or small feet. C-shaped fibres have a similar bounce back but aren’t quite as springy.
- Choose your colour. The aesthetics of artificial grass can be very important to the end result and much of this is achieved by colour. Choose from various different colour blends, such as a natural two-tone mix or a four-tone colour mix that will allow artificial grass to blend seamlessly with natural surroundings.
If you’re going to choose artificial grass for a play area then you’re making a great choice. These are some of the considerations to bear in mind to ensure you get the results you’re looking for. Take a look at our artificial grass page if you’d like more information. If you’re sure, then contact us and a member of the team will be in touch, we’d love to hear about your project!