LARS LAJ® | 5 Tips How to Maintain a Playground for Kids after Winter

Are you responsible for maintaining a school playground, or a common play area in the park or other public space? So it must be time for the annual spring-cleaning at the playground! To make your task easier, we have prepared a playground maintenance checklist.

How to maintain a playground after the winter months and prepare the outdoor play area for summer?

Follow our to-do list and make sure that your play area is safe for kids!

5 tips for mantaining the playground after winter

1. Clean the playground area

✅ Sweep away all the leaves. Remove snow, debris, broken branches, stones, broken glass, and other objects that may pose a threat to children.

✅ Clean playground equipment from dirt and dust.

✅ Replace sand in the sandbox (it should be done at least 1-2 times a year).

2. Check the playground safety surface

→ If the safety surfacing is sand or gravel:

✅ Level the surfacing thoroughly. Check if the foundations of the play equipment are not exposed and if all the holes in the sand are leveled.

✅ Fill in the safety surface if necessary. The level of the surface must meet appropriate standards to effectively secure the falling and ensure children's safety while playing.

→ If there is a synthetic surface on the playground (such as tiles, rubber mats, or wetpour surface):

✅ Check its technical condition, if it is not damaged or destroyed.

✅ Arrange for any necessary repairs or safety surface replacement.

tips for preparing a playground for summer

3. Check the playground equipment

We should thoroughly check if all the playground equipment is safe for children.

✅ Make sure that the play equipment is stable: all its screws, pegs, or connectors are securely tightened.

✅ Check if the playground equipment is complete, and no parts are missing, such as swing seats or safety caps.

✅ Check if the equipment is not damaged, if there are no cracks or signs of corrosion.

✅ Test the playground equipment to make sure that it works properly to keep children safe. If the equipment requires repair or replacement, tape it, and place an appropriate warning sign.

✅ Arrange for maintaining, repairing or replacing the broken playground items.

✅ Plan the regular playground inspections for this year.

4. Check the urban furniture on the playground

✅ Check the technical condition of other playground elements: garbage bins, urban benches, playground rules signs, or fencing.

✅ Arrange for maintenance, repair, or replacement of the damaged elements.

5. Add new playground equipment

Maybe it's time to refresh your playground a bit and install the additional equipment on the playground?

Just bear in mind that the playground equipment have to meet all the safety standards and have all the required certificates. Choose safety for your children and check out our playground equipment offer for schools, preschools, parks, and other public spaces!