How to Choose the Best Location for a School Playground

Choosing your playground location

While playground equipment is the centrepiece of any playground, it’s often the site and less obvious details like undersurfacing and ancillary works that can distinguish a great playground design.

In particular, the location of a playground within a school plays a very important role in its long-term success.

By choosing your site carefully, you can maximise the use of your playground, reduce maintenance, increase the ease of teacher supervision, and ensure the playground is a safe and enjoyable space for everyone. You get peace of mind that your students are being cared for.

At adventure+ we look for several key factors when recommending a site area, and these can be food for thought when thinking about your next school playground.

Consider Typography & Size

When selecting a site for a playground, it is important to prioritise a location that is flat, spacious, and easily accessible. Opting for a site with minimal slope not only enhances safety but also allows for smoother movement across the area. While adventurous designs can be successful in sloped or complex terrains, a level and open site offers playground designers a wider range of creative possibilities.

Such conditions facilitate the incorporation of various playground elements and structures, ensuring that children of all ages and abilities can engage in play. A more open area can accommodate diverse activities, making it easier to plan for inclusive features that promote social interaction and active play. Additionally, accessibility is crucial; a site that is easy to reach encourages more families to visit and enjoy the playground.

Consider proximity to classrooms

To ensure the use of your playground is maximised, you don’t want a playground to be too far away! Ensure that the junior play area is close to the junior classrooms, and the senior play area is close to the senior classrooms.

A playground located at the very far end of a large oval is much less attractive to play on than one that’s nearby. Build your playground close to where students are – that way, it is much more likely the playground will be used to the fullest during recess, and you will get a great return on investment.

Consider supervision

Supervision by teachers at recess and lunch times is most commonly required at schools, but this can be difficult if your students are spread out all over the school grounds.

Visibility can be improved by ensuring that the play area can be seen from a distance and is not tucked away. Playgrounds that are secluded can be a source of problems e.g., bullying and represent “black spots” in your school.

By choosing your site location carefully, you can make it easier to do yard duty – and enable a single teacher to monitor several areas at once.

Consider maintenance & access

When your playground requires maintenance or a replenishment of mulch, ensuring easy access to the area is crucial. If the play area is difficult to reach, transporting mulch can become more complex and expensive, as it may need to be blown in rather than delivered directly. This process can increase both labour and material costs, making it less efficient.

To avoid these complications, it’s advisable to plan for access from the beginning. Consider creating pathways wide enough for heavy equipment like excavators or small bobcats to enter the play area easily. This will facilitate not only regular maintenance but also any future changes or upgrades you may need to implement. Proper access not only saves money in the long run but also ensures that the playground remains a safe and enjoyable space for children.

Consider shade

Shade is important for SunSmart initiatives, as well as providing a relaxing and comfortable play space for students. Where possible, situate a playground under trees or an existing shelter such as a shade sail. This will not only help children avoid the harsh afternoon sun but also protect the play equipment.

Consider surfaces

Your playground should be well-contained and not impact negatively on the other areas in your school. Ensure there’s enough space so surfaces that spill out onto walkways don’t pose a hazard. A common issue seen in school yards is an overflow of undersurfacing, such as sand or mulch, onto walkways, which can pose a hazard. This needs to be considered when selecting the playground location. How will the undersurfacing be contained, and will there be pathways around the playground that could be impacted by spilt undersurfacing?

Take Play Seriously

adventure+ works directly with schools to design and install engaging playgrounds that tick all the boxes. Call us today on 1300 237 587 to talk about your next play project.