The protective playground surface is often the most overlooked element of home playground safety. While roughly 80% of public playgrounds have some form of shock-absorbing protective surfacing under playground equipment, only 9% of home backyard playgrounds do, according to a 2001 playground injury study conducted by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). The study found that, of the approximately 50,000 injuries per year associated with home backyard playground equipment, 69% of the injuries were a result of falls to a non-protective surface below the equipment.

Perhaps the most familiar backyard playground surface options are grass and dirt, but neither surface adequately protects children against serious injury due to falls, even falls that occur from 30 inches or less above the ground. Fractures of the arms and hands, and cuts and bruises of the head and face are the most commonly reported injuries that result from a child falling from playground equipment to a non-protective playground surface such as grass or dirt, as reported by the CPSC.

The good news is that a number of protective playground surfaces are available that meet the requirements for proper playground safety. As you might expect, playground surface options range in cost from affordable to expensive, and each option has its own list advantages and disadvantages. Considering the positive and negative characteristics of each type of playground surface material, as presented in this article, should provide you with enough information to choose the best playground surface option for your backyard playground.

The first and most vital piece of information to know before selecting a material to use for your protective playground surface is the critical height of the playground equipment.  Critical height refers to the “maximum fall height from which a life-threatening head injury would not be expected to occur.” The critical height of your playground equipment equals the height (in feet) of the uppermost portion of your backyard playground equipment that is accessible to children. The protective playground surface you decide on for your backyard playground should be installed with a depth that is appropriate for your equipment’s critical height.

The following information details the critical height (in feet) for each of the loose-fill surface materials described in this article “when tested in an uncompressed state at depths of 6, 9, and 12 inches. The [information] also shows the critical height when a 9 inch depth of each material was tested in a compressed state.”  For instance, if the critical height of your backyard playground equipment is 8 feet, then your best choices for protective loose-fill surface materials, according to the information below, would be 9 inches of compressed or uncompressed wood chips, 9 inches of uncompressed shredded bark mulch, 12 inches of uncompressed play sand, 12 inches of uncompressed pea gravel, or 6 inches of uncompressed recycled rubber mulch.

WOOD CHIPS*
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 7 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 10 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 11 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 10 feet

*This product may also be referred to as Wood Mulch, but the term Wood Chips more accurately describes the product.

SHREDDED BARK MULCH
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 6 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 10 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 11 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 7 feet

ENGINEERED WOOD FIBERS**
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 6 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 7 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = >12 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 6 feet

**This may also be referred to as Uniform Wood Chips, but, in the playground industry, the product is more commonly known as Engineered Wood Fibers.

FINE SAND
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 9 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 5 feet

COURSE SAND
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 6 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 4 feet

FINE GRAVEL
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 6 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 7 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 10 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = >6 feet

MEDIUM GRAVEL
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = 5 feet
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = 6 feet
Nine inch depth, compressed = 5 feet

SHREDDED TIRES***
Six inch depth, uncompressed = 10-12 feet
Nine inch depth, uncompressed = N/A
Twelve inch depth, uncompressed = N/A
Nine inch depth, compressed = N/A

***This data is from tests conducted by independent testing laboratories on a 6 inch depth of uncompressed shredded tire samples produced by four manufacturers.  The test results reported critical heights which varied from 10 feet to greater than 12 feet.  It is recommended that persons seeking to install shredded tires as a protective surface request test data from the supplier showing the critical heights of the material when it was tested in accordance with ASTM F1292.

Alternatives to loose-fill surface materials are rubber playground tiles, rubber mats, and poured-in-place playground surfaces. These surfaces are available from a number of manufacturers who may use a variety of shock-absorbing materials. The manufacturers should be able to provide you with test data that shows the critical height for the protective surfaces they offer.

Being aware of some of the advantages and disadvantages of loose-fill surface materials will help you in narrowing the choices to meet your particular situation.  In general, loose-fill playground surface materials like wood chips, shredded bark mulch, pea gravel, play sand, and recycled rubber mulch are most often chosen for backyard playgrounds because they are reasonably priced and easy to find at a local garden center or home improvement warehouse. Recycled rubber mulch can also be found in a variety of colors and sizes through internet suppliers.

LOOSE-FILL MATERIALS – GENERAL GUIDELINES

A retaining barrier of some kind is required to prevent the surface materials from becoming displaced because of active play or weather conditions. Additionally, loose-fill materials should never be installed on top of hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt. Likewise, good drainage beneath the protective surface is highly recommended.

Overall Advantages:

The initial price of installing a loose-fill playground surface under your backyard playground equipment is generally low because the materials are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive.

Overall Disadvantages:

Over a period of time, loose-fill materials can become compressed, resulting in a decreased ability to protect. Recommended depths can be compromised when active play or windy conditions displace the loose-fill materials. Debris such as broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects which can cause injury can become buried in loose-fill materials. Ongoing maintenance is essential to maintain proper depth and to remove debris. Maintenance can include raking, sifting, grading, and leveling. Periodic renewal or replacement of loose-fill materials is necessary, which can be time consuming and costly. The exception to this is recycled rubber mulches – see below for further information.

WOOD CHIPS AND SHREDDED BARK MULCH

Advantages:

Wood chips and shredded bark mulch are not as abrasive as play sand. Animals are not as likely to contaminate wood chips and shredded bark mulch.
Wood chips and shredded bark mulch are appealing to the eye.

Disadvantages:

The protective ability of wood chips and shredded bark mulch is reduced in rainy, humid, and freezing weather conditions. Over a period of time, wood chips and shredded bark mulch will become pulverized, compacted, and will decompose. Wood chips and shredded bark mulch can invite fungus and mold to grow when moist or wet. Insects are drawn to wood chips and shredded bark mulch.

PEA GRAVEL

Advantages:

Pea gravel will not become ground down and decompose. Mold and fungus growth is not generally an issue. Animals and insects not as attracted to pea gravel.

Disadvantages:

Pea gravel can be a challenge to walk on. The protective ability of pea gravel is reduced in rainy, humid, and freezing weather conditions. Pea gravel can be a falling hazard if displaced from the playground area to a nearby hard surface (sidewalk, decking, or patio, for example).

PLAY SAND

Advantages:

Play sand will not pulverize and decompose. Mold and fungus growth is not generally an issue.

Disadvantages:

Play sand can be difficult to walk on. The protective ability of play sand is reduced in rainy and humid weather conditions. Animals are attracted to sand unless it can be covered when not in use. Play sand affixes easily to shoes, clothing, and skin. Play sand can be abrasive to floor surfaces if tracked inside.

RECYCLED RUBBER MULCH

Advantages:

Recycled rubber mulch does not generally need to be replaced or renewed each year. Many manufacturers claim that rubber mulch can last approximately 50 years without requiring replacement. Check with recycled rubber mulch suppliers for any guarantees or warrantees that may be available. Rubber mulch tends to be cleaner and less likely than other loose-fill materials to produce dirty clothing, hands, and shoes during active play. Does not cause scrapes, scratches, or splinters from falls. Animals and insects are not attracted to rubber mulch. Mold and fungus growth is not a concern.

Disadvantages:

Recycled rubber mulch may need to be raked periodically to maintain proper depths in high traffic areas. Colors on recycled rubber mulch may fade over a period of time.

OTHER PROTECTIVE PLAYGROUND SURFACE OPTIONS

Rubber tiles, rubber mats, and poured-in-place surfaces are initially more expensive surface options than loose-fill materials, but they often need very little upkeep over time. To determine whether one of these options would be more cost effective than a loose-fill material, consider how many children might potentially use your backyard playground equipment and for how many years. Larger families, for example, may prefer to pay more at first for a surface that will be easier and much less expensive to maintain over many years of active use.

Advantages:

No means of containment is usually required. Surfaces are wheelchair accessible and easy to walk on. Displacement of materials is not an issue, so the protective ability of these surfaces stays consistent even in high traffic areas. Surfaces require very little maintenance over time and are easy to clean. Debris such as broken glass and other sharp objects which can cause injury are not easily concealed by these surfaces. Animals and insects are not attracted to the surface materials. Mold and fungus growth is not a concern.

Disadvantages:

The area under the surface usually requires special preparation. Contact the manufacturer or supplier for details. Surfaces may require professional installation. Rubber tiles may curl and become tripping hazards if not installed properly. Some surfaces may be damaged by frost.

In closing, no protective playground surface of any type or depth can prevent all injuries. Nonetheless, installing a protective playground surface as the foundation for your backyard playground equipment is essential for improving playground safety. The right playground surface for your needs is up to you, but whatever choice you make will be a significant step toward protecting the children in your life from serious injuries due to falls to the surface.

Sources:

CPSC Document #323. “Home Playground Safety Tips.”
CPSC Document #324 “Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook.” 2005.
CPSC Document #1005. “Playground Surfacing Materials.”
CPSC Report. “Home Playground Equipment-Related Deaths and Injuries.” July 2001.
CPSC Report. “Special Study: Injuries and Deaths Associated with Children’s
Playground Equipment.” April 2001.