How to Plan A Playground Upgrade In Stages

Staging a playground upgrade allows you to design the project upfront and build it in phases, spreading costs over time. This approach helps coordinate installation with other site work or allows budgets to be spread over time.

Building in stages does require extra design considerations and accommodations for future equipment and construction access to the site. For example, a path built in stage one may need a different route to leave room for swings planned for stage two. Planning the full build from the start lets us make better recommendations for each stage.

1. Deciding what to upgrade first

The first stage of your project should take into account the condition of the existing equipment and surfacing. An assessment can help establish what’s suitable to keep and identify safety issues that need attention. Those findings help clarify which upgrades should take priority.

Understanding what children are missing from the playground is also an important factor. Your site may already have a junior area that works well, but missing a challenge for older children. In this example, the first addition could focus on more challenging climbing and balancing activities.

The layout of your play area can then influence the order of construction. If reaching a later stage would mean taking machinery through a completed area, it may make sense to build in a different order. Our designers consider access for future works before the layout is agreed, avoiding changes to completed areas later.

2. Planning for future additions

Alongside the layout, it’s worth considering how you want the completed playground to look. Choosing a colour scheme and preferred materials early gives us a reference for later equipment selections. This helps the different stages look like parts of the same playground, even when they’re installed at different times.

As the playground grows, the surrounding facilities may need to change too. For example, a larger play area may need additional shade. Allowing for this in the original design helps us consider shade coverage across the completed playground. Path connections also need to provide children and carers with safe access to the new activities.

Our playground design process involves working through these details with you. You don’t need to choose every piece of equipment now, but discussing your plans for later stages helps us make informed recommendations for the first.

3. Organising construction

Each stage can be planned around your timeframes, available funding and other work that may be happening on the site. Specific dates can be agreed as each stage progresses towards construction and can take into consideration suitable periods such as school holidays.

Before each stage begins, it’s important to understand which areas will be closed off and how access around the site will change. Once the construction team has confirmed those arrangements, you will be able to inform families or visitors of what to expect.

Sites may be able to retain a separate play area during construction where the existing playground remains open while its replacement is built elsewhere. Path connections must be planned so children and carers can reach new activities safely. That means not entering the worksite or crossing routes used by construction vehicles.

To find out more about how to start the first stage of your playground upgrade, speak with one of our play consultants and start a concept design. Share your ideas and a site plan if you have one, including any additions you hope to make later.