Building a Playscape

Many parks and schools are now turning to the playscape as opposed to using the traditional playground format for local children to play upon. The reason for this is simple aesthetics. While it is true that playgrounds and playscapes have many similarities in equipment and layout, there is one major difference. The playscape typically has an overriding theme that ties everything together. For example, one of our local parks has a playscape that is designed around an Old West town.

When creating your new playscape, make sure that you consider everything that you can before you rush out and go hog wild. Here are a few things to consider.

• Age. When planning, make sure that you take your children's age into account. Think of what their current tastes are, and what they may change into over the coming years. You want to have something that is more than likely going to withstand the test of time. Have them help out a little in this stage by asking them what they would like to see.
• Space. Make sure you know exactly what your space limitations are. If you don't have a whole lot of space, be creative. Why not build upwards instead of out. Some wonderful examples of great playscapes in a limited space are over at McDonalds and Burger King. Take a few ideas from them.
• Budget. How much money do you have at your disposal? Playscapes tend to be a little more expensive than the typical playground, but there are money saving steps that you can take as long as you have an overall idea of exactly how much money you can spend on you project.
• Taste. You are going to want to make sure that whatever your children would like is going to match with your tastes as well. An example of this is how well your new design is going to interact with your home. It just wouldn't do to be getting complaints from the neighbors due to dropping property value, now would it?
• Execution. The final step is going to be, as always execution. How are you going to have this dream made a reality? Is it going to be a home improvement project that you are going to undertake yourself? Is it going to be one that your family helps out on, or is it one that you are going to hire out to a professional? Be sure that you have carefully weighed the advantages and disadvantages of each before you make your final decision.