More and more, home buyers and renters alike are looking for neighborhoods with shared amenities. Nowhere will you see this connection fostered more than on neighborhood playgrounds. As a result, commercial-grade playgrounds are becoming more common in shared communities.
Why Commercial-Grade Playgrounds?
You may be wondering what the big deal is with “commercial-grade” playgrounds. After all, any old structure with a slide should do, right? Wrong. There are several reasons to invest in commercial playground equipment. Here are just a few:
1. Resident Demand
Where once it was a luxury to have a community pool, recreation center, or playground, it is now an expectation. A centrally located park with high-quality equipment should be one of the first additions to a community because it appeals to the full range of residents.
2. Longevity Concerns
Of course, you can throw up a playground in a matter of days if you’re not concerned with longevity. However, city and residential planners often think of the decades to come. Commercial play structures, swings, and features are going to last much longer than those made for backyards or for shorter terms. Heavy-duty, durable materials can last for generations. This makes the neighborhood attractive to families and even those who expect visitors with children.
3. Better Safety and Compliance
The biggest selling point in favor of commercial-grade structures is that they’re ADA-compliant. The last thing you want if you’re a developer or city planner is to create a gathering place for your community, only to find some of your residents are left out. When you buy commercial-grade, you can feel more confident that your manufacturer has an eye on all major federal requirements for kids with disabilities.
4. A Focus on Inclusivity
Children with physical disabilities aren’t the only ones who might miss out on play in some parks. Many smaller, older playgrounds are simply too bright, too loud, and too overwhelming for kids with sensory challenges. Commercial playground sets, in contrast, are often designed and built to welcome kids from all walks of life and with the full range of abilities.
How Commercial-Grade Playgrounds Make a Difference
Now you understand why installing commercial play structures matters. But there’s another layer to review, and that’s the benefits of having these playgrounds in shared residences. What is it, exactly, that’s attracting families and even single adults to neighborhoods with great parks?
- They Boost Property Value
You don’t have to have kids to realize that a healthy, high-quality playground in a pretty park will attract serious homebuyers. Those homebuyers will likely stay in the neighborhood for many years, keep their homes and yards nice, and contribute to the local economy. All of these realities mean property values will go up. Everyone wins.
- They Encourage Social Connection
Nor do you have to have kids to want to connect with others at a social level. Loneliness in today’s society is a very real thing. Commercial playgrounds are typically set in parks with wide open spaces. This means residents can head over for a picnic, a game of frisbee, or just to read on a bench. Parks bring people together in ways few other landmarks or locations can.
- They Promote Early Childhood Development
Then, of course, there’s the most obvious advantage of commercial playgrounds. ADA-compliant, inclusive, strong, durable equipment with all its accompanying features assists in social and physical growth for kids. Virtually every child will benefit from racing across a sturdy platform, scaling up rock walls, swinging from parallel bars, and making up games with friends. Children grow up on playgrounds, and that’s good for everyone.
What to Think About Before Installing a Commercial-Grade Playground
As you prepare to install your commercial-grade playground, there are a few factors to consider. Taking your time to review this checklist will help you make sure your playground and the surrounding park are the right ones for your residents.
1. Assess the Needs of Your Community
The best first move when planning a park is to have a meeting with members of your community. Even if you’re designing an entirely new neighborhood, talk to nearby residents, parents of local kids, and even local business owners. Ask what they’d like to see in a park, what you might not be thinking of, and how best you can meet their needs.
2. Choose Your Location Well
Next, make sure you leave yourself room to grow. You may start small, with a single structure and swings, or with modular equipment. But over time, you can expand, add features, and even build shelters and sports complexes. You’re almost always better off having more land than less, so you have options down the road.
3. Consider Safety Surfaces and Inclusive Structures
As discussed above, inclusivity and safety for all have to be primary factors in the planning of any new park or playground. This is one of the most important reasons for working with a commercial playground equipment supplier. Make sure your equipment is ADA-compliant, and that your design is encouraging for kids with all abilities and disabilities.
4. Create a Budget
Finally, it’s time to create your budget. Talk to suppliers, think about other features like splash pads or musical instruments, as well as local plants, concrete paths, and more. Then, hold another meeting to discuss funds with your community. You may be able to get volunteer contract work, help from local businesses, and other connections to help you meet your financial needs.
In the end, commercial-grade playgrounds are good for entire communities, even entire cities. There’s a reason you’re seeing more of them in shared residential areas, and it has to do with how they serve kids as well as adults. They become hubs of connection, they help children grow up healthy, and they boost the local economy, from business to property value. And it all starts with a strong, sturdy, inclusive structure that kids can play on, and parents can gather around, for decades to come.