In general, loose-fill options should be avoided for playgrounds intended for toddlers. Sand should be replaced every year or as often as necessary. Unlike wood mulch, rubber mulch does not need to be replaced yearly, and may never need to be replaced at all. Pea gravel can break down over time and will need to be replaced to ensure optimal safety, which can add up in the long run.Â. Ft. - 2000 Lbs. Types of Playground Surfacing: Unitary Surfaces, Grass requires constant upkeep, including mowing, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. The people that claim rubber playground mulch is safe, sell rubber playground mulch and the people who claim itâs unsafe, sell wood mulches or other traditional playground ground covers like pea gravel or sand. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Mulch can be messy and end up all over the yard or playground outside of the swing set area, so clean up is a regular task. It requires less maintenance. Rubber playground mulch is generally made of ground up tires, extending the useful life of millions of pounds of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Like wood mulch, rubber mulch also has the potential for displacement, so it should be monitored to ensure highly ⦠Ultimately the safety surfacing you choose will make the difference in a having a safe playground or not. Washing the material may be necessary as it gets dirty, and repairs may need to be made if the material becomes damaged. Rubber mulch is durable, easy to install, and only requires a little bit of raking to ensure even distribution and remove any debris.Â. What is the top-selling rubber mulch product? As grass gets worn down, it becomes less shock-absorbant and doesnât offer much protection against falls. Playsafer Brown Rubber Mulch 77 Cu. Some negative aspects related to safety include: One other thing to consider is that mulch can be a choking hazard. However, as it is durable and lasts a long time with little maintenance, it has a lower lifetime cost. To learn more about safety surfacing, visit our Learning Center. The potential for heavily trafficked areas to spread out and be less effective. Use the staples or Liquid nails to attach the edging of the landscaping fabric. Wood mulch has a pleasing natural aesthetic that can match any type of landscaping you have. Pea gravel offers a natural look because itâs comprised of small stones. Six-inch deep rubber mulch can protect children from 16feet fall height. After much research, I will say that rubber playground mulch made from recycled tires is moderately safe â Moderately. Adding a. at the end of slides can help add some cushioning and keep mulch in its place. Rubber playground mulch is a low-maintenance surfacing option, which is why it tends to be more expensive at first. 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