Playscape Q&A

How much does a typical playscape cost?
Are these playscapes safe?
Are the plants you use safe?
Are the playscapes accessible to children of different abilities?
What is community-built?
How does the community-built process work?
Why do it community-built style?
How long does a project take?
How do children respond to these natural playscapes?
What ages are these playscapes best for?
What kind of maintenance do they need?
How long do these playscapes last?
Do you do workshops?

How much does a typical playscape cost?


Each project is different depending on size, budget and needs. A typical 5000 square foot playscape can cost $25,000 to $40,000.(Although they can range in price from $5,000 to $100,000.) back to top

Are these playscapes safe?


Absolutely. Our playscapes go above and beyond the national CPSC and ASTM safety guidelines for playgrounds. (We’ve been trained as nationally certified safety inspectors.) These types of play environments are far safer than standard play equipment: features are low to the ground to prevent falls, slides are ingeniously built into the sides of hills and safety surfaces are provided wherever necessary. back to top

Are the plants you use safe?


Yes. The plants we use are non-toxic and we try to include as many edible plants as we can! back to top

Are the playscapes accessible to children of different abilities?


Yes. We believe that play environments should be accessible and integrated for all children, regardless of ability. A variety of texture, color signals, sound elements and of course accessible paths help all children to enjoy the playscape. back to top

What is community-built?


Community built is a dynamic new process of creation based on old community traditions. It is a collaboration between professionals and community volunteers that transforms the public space, be it a mural, play environment, park, museum, public garden, neighborhood center, historic restoration, housing or other projects accomplished through community initiative and collective energy. back to top

How does the community-built process work?


The first step is to put together a dedicated Playscape Committee. They will share the work and responsibility for planning and organizing the project - with the help of Planet Earth Playscapes.

Planet Earth Playscapes will then visit your community and create a conceptual design. We’ll then generate a detailed design and materials list and give you a Detailed Planning Guide. That will tell you everything you will need to know to plan your project - how to best organize your committee to share the work of getting volunteers, seeking materials donations and obtaining tools. The guide will also tell you exactly what to do to make sure your build days will go smoothly.

We’ll then help you set dates for construction and when you’re ready, Planet Earth Playscapes will return to lead your volunteers in the big community build. back to top

Why do it community-built style?


There are many reasons!
First of all, by getting donations from the community and using volunteer labor to build the playscape, you can save alot of money! We’ve had groups get a $90,000 playscape for only $30,000 thanks to the hard work of their playscape committee and the generous donations from their community.

Secondly, your group will feel an amazing sense of accomplishment and ownership toward the playscape - you planned it, you built it, you did it! Vandalism will go down because people have put their heart into it, and maintenance and care will go up because folks will want to see it grow and survive.

Thirdly, when people volunteer together amazing things happen. We’ve seen it time and time again: New friendships are made, people feel great about themselves and their community, and children see that their parents really care about them - enough to get dirty on their day off!

Fourthly, by using local talent your playscape will take on a life and character all of its own. If you have artists in your community we’ll do murals or sculptures; if you have gardeners we’ll load it with plants; if you have masons we’ll decorate with stone; if you have plumbers we’ll do water features. The possibilities are endless and your playscape will truly be one-of-a-kind. back to top

How long does a project take?


This depends on the size of the project. From design to build, a project often takes six to eight months. This includes the planning and preparing for the big community build. Groups often begin in the fall, plan during the winter, and build in the spring. A typical build will take 4 days - usually thursday through sunday. Some groups do it in 2 consecutive weekends. back to top

How do children respond to these natural playscapes?


They love them. The environments are always changing and hold something new everyday. We’ve seen children bathed in flower petals and leaves, nibbling on mint, finding frogs in water features, digging and creating in sand, zooming around tricycle tracks and exploring the seasonal changes of plants. back to top

What ages are these playscapes best for?


All ages!
We’ve done projects for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergardeners as well as school-agers, teens and adults. Each playscape is designed to fit the unique developmental needs of each group. back to top

What kind of maintenance do they need?


We work with you to determine what level of maintenance you will be able to provide. (This determines what kinds of details we design.)
Simple maintenance - Mowing grass, sand and wood chip replacement...
Special item maintenance - Fountain maintenance, etc
Caretaking maintenance - Gardening, trimming trees & shrubs, animals...

Think about alternative ways to maintain - college students, parents, retired community members, grounds people, paid maintenance? back to top

How long do these playscapes last?


While traditional playground equipment usually needs to be replaced every 15 to 25 years, with love and maintenance, natural playscapes can last virtually forever - seriously! (you will have to take down an occassional old tree every 150 to 200 years of course...) back to top

Do you do workshops?


Yes. We have a fun slideshow workshop to inspire groups to think about outdoor play spaces in wonderful new ways. We’ll help you brainstorm your own playscapes and teach you how to incorporate sound exploration and how to involve the community in the planning and construction process.

The workshops are 1 hour, 3 hour, or all day, depending on your needs. back to top

 

 

 

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