Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Building a Playground as a Community

We at Snider & Associates, Inc. participate in and offer commercial playground equipment builds. It is like an old-fashioned barn-raising, you will understand the kinds of rewards that are gain from experiencing an activity that brings people together to work toward a common goal. Those who work on a community built playground project gain a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the finished project, and the pride felt by the volunteers in their accomplishment translates into pride toward the school or the community. Volunteers learn new skills, meet new people, enhance their sense of belonging and make an important connection to the community. When people work together in the spirit of cooperation for the benefit of the community as a whole, the outcome can only be a positive one, and the project a successful one.
To make a Community Built Playground successful remember the 5 P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. The communication between playground representative and client is very important. These projects are not a simple task. We are constructing playground equipment that will be used by the public and/or school students. The majority of these projects will cost major fundraising dollars or a successful grant application. Plus these builds are typically done in one weekend to avoid disruptions in our busy work weeks. You want to get it right.
The list below is a few items of many to consider when building your community or school playground equipment. For detailed information please contact us to speak with your local representative.
1. All gas, water, electrical, cable and sprinkler lines are to be marked before any digging is started?

2. Check all documents to be sure equipment, measurements, top of surfacing and all information coincides?

3 How, where, and who will unload, store and secure the playground equipment and playground surfacing?

4 Are there clear written directions, specifications, and drawings to place and build the playground?

5. Can the construction site be accessed safely by the tractors, trucks, and other heavy equipment?

6. Is the ground level? Playgrounds are generally designed to sit on a level surface?

7. How and who will be responsible to secure the construction site from the public until after the cement has cured and the protective surfacing is installed?

8. Has the safety surfacing been scheduled to arrive as soon as the playground equipment concrete has been poured?

9. How will the footing dirt and or excavation dirt be disposed of?

10. How will packing and shipping waste materials be disposed of?

11. Where is the water, electricity and restrooms for the Volunteers?

Snider & Associates provides free playground design and planning services in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania to help get your vision of a community built playground up and running. Please call (800-888-2889) or visit our website (www.cvsnider.com) for more information. We would be happy to chat, send a catalog, or have a lunch and learn.