Why Playground Resurfacing Should Be A Priority In 2024
Updated on: May 13, 2024
Be it thundering feet, scraped pushchairs or the shoes of energetic children scuffed into the surface, playgrounds endure heavy daily use. With the new year on its way, playground resurfacing might be a bigger priority than you imagined.
In fact, playground repairs were probably not at the top of your to-do list.
However, when you consider the fact that children’s safety (as well as that of other stakeholders) is at risk a number of times a day from a playground in need of attention, moving playground refurbishment to the top of your schedule could prove to be a savvy decision.
As the premises owner, under the EN1176 and EN1177 safety standards, you’re liable for any injuries children, parents, carers, or visitors encounter as the result of playground damage.
There are even certified playground inspectors in existence who can come and inspect your playground and play equipment.
Playgrounds are huge spaces, spread over a number of areas, so it’s no surprise it can take a trained eye to spot all the areas of damage that can cause trips, slips and bumps.
And of course, an unsightly playground devalues the school, leaving your school community with a neglected outdoor area that no-one enjoys using.
As a leading playground markings company, we can help you keep your playground in top condition and ensure any playground repairs are carried out with ease.
Let’s take a closer look at what it means to resurface a park or school playground and how repairs are carried out.
Why Playground Resurfacing Should Be A Priority In 2024
1. Safety
When To Repair A Playground
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, approximately 40,000 injuries, which require hospital treatment, occur on school playgrounds every year.
80% of those accidents are due to damaged playground surfacing, the rest are due to poor maintenance or design of equipment so you cannot over-estimate the importance of carrying out playground repairs in a timely manner.
In fact, a wide range of legislation including:
- 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act
- 1984 Liability Act
- 1999 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
- British and European Playground Equipment Standard 1176
means you can be sued by parents, children or visitors who sustain injuries due to the state of your playground surface or equipment.
Industry regulations recommend children’s playgrounds should be inspected at least once a year, ideally every 3 months or once a week.
Learn more about playground inspections and risk assessments
As mentioned earlier, there are qualified playground inspectors who can come and conduct a thorough inspection of your surfaces and equipment.
With in-house staff short on time and some repairs to playgrounds and equipment tricky to spot, a certified inspector may be worth the investment in the long run. Find an official register at playinspectors.com.
How Playground Resurfacing Can Transform Your School
We’ve talked about safety but there are a number of other reasons why playground repairs are important.
2. Health
One of the fundamental purposes of a playground is to ensure all children get plenty of exercise. Whilst we tend to think of children “going out to play” – what we really want them to do is move around.
Regular physical activity is vital for children’s health and there are so many ways to inspire pupils to get moving on the playground.
Playground markings for example, can transform any playground into a hub of energetic activity. Be sure to allow 6 to 8 weeks for any new tarmac to settle before installing new markings however!
The NHS highlights the fact that the daily physical children get, needs to be energetic if it is to have a positive impact on their health.
They recommend children participate in both aerobic exercise and exercise to strengthen their muscles, bones, and co-ordination every week.
Guidelines from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer suggest this should be achieved through at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week.
3. Enjoyment
Here at Fun & Active Playgrounds we offer you lots of innovative ways to finish a school playground, from fun, curriculum-based playground markings to sports playground markings, creative play equipment and playground markings for fun games – playground resurfacing is a brilliant opportunity to make the updated playground a more exciting place to be.
We know children are far more motivated to engage in activities they enjoy so it’s well worth investing in high-quality playground furnishings that will promote the health of all pupils.
For us, it’s really important that every piece we produce is designed to motivate all children to get active. By using concepts we know children will enjoy and universal contexts, including current national curriculum topics and traditional and contemporary games, we ensure our playground markings and equipment meet the diverse needs of your community.
4. Community Value
And this is what playground restoration is about – it’s about your children having a beautiful space to play in. When we present children with equipment that’s worn, damaged and unloved, it sends the wrong message about how much we value them.
Whether visitor, parent or child, the playground is the first thing everyone sees when they arrive at your school.
A sparkling, newly restored playground will ensure your premises give pupils, staff, and visitors the warm and inviting welcome they expect.
5. Design Improvements
Playground refurbishment also provides you with a great opportunity to re-assess the space and make sure it’s being used at an optimal level.
From new zones to support different types of play to the installation of multi-court markings, there are lots of ways you can re-design your playground so it works better for your school community.
Speak to us today on 0800 061 4243 about all types of playground revamping. From damaged playground surfaces and markings to playground cleaning, we will be pleased to assist.
Contact us about your playground revamp
Jess Sparks
Jess is deeply committed to supporting our mission of positively impacting UK outdoor play environments to promote healthy lifestyles in children.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
Jess’ experience within the industry is instrumental in driving engagement and supporting connections with those who require ultra-durable, high-grade playground markings both locally and internationally.
