Planning Your Play Area
STEP 1 - Defining Your Objectives
The planning process begins with an interview, where we ask you specific questions about your project and help you define your objectives. Your intimate knowledge (of your facility, staff, local regulations, growth needs, budget, and, especially, your children) is invaluable to the planning phase; therefore, we start by interviewing you to collect this information.
You should begin thinking about the following questions as they relate to your project:
Where in the world is your playground?
In addition to thinking locally (such as, "next to my building" or "the southweest corner of town," think globally as well: In what climate is your city located? What are typical weather conditions? Is the area shaded, sunny, sloping, moist, or arid?
What kind of playground do you want to build?
In addition to accommodating the ages of the children using in the space, what else are you hoping to accomplish? Will this playground be used by children in a day care facility, a community setting, or school? Would you like to focus on aesthetics, culture, art and science, the environment? Will your playground have a theme? Will you accommodate children with physical challenges? How much use will the playground get; i.e., will children use it throughout the year, or only in the summer?
What is your budget?
Most likely, the defining factor of your project will be your budget. Although you may be limited at this point, are there opportunities for fundraising? Can you complete the major phases of the project now, and leave room for expanding the playground when more funds become available? Are there local organizations that can donate their time or equipment to help offset the costs?
What is your schedule?
When will you be ready to break ground? When do you need your project completed? Should it coincide with an event, or within the school year?
Have you solicited or received Input from others?
Have you asked the members of your community, or the parents of the children who will use the playground, what their opinions are? Do they have special needs that they want considered or incorporated into the project?
