January 20th, 2025
Building a commercial playground is an exciting and rewarding process, but it also comes with many responsibilities. Whether you're working on behalf of a schools, church, city park, or daycare center, it's essential to approach this project with careful planning. A successful playground not only meets safety standards and accessibility requirements, but also offers joy, inclusivity, and long-lasting value to the community it serves.
Here are five essential steps to follow before you break ground on your new commercial playground project.
1. Define Your Target Audience and Purpose
Before building a commercial playground, you must first define who the playground is for and what it's meant to achieve. A clear understanding of your audience will guide every design and budget decision moving forward.
Consider Age Groups and Abilities
Are you designing for toddlers, elementary aged children, or a wide range of ages? Each group has different developmental needs and safety considerations. For example, toddlers need low platforms and interactive sensory play elements, while older children may seek more physically challenging features like climbing walls and slides.
Embrace Inclusive Design
A truly great commercial playground welcomes children of all abilities. Incorporating inclusive elements, like wheelchair accessible ramps, ground level play features, and sensory equipment, ensures that children with disabilities can enjoy and participate in play alongside their peers.
Identify the Type of Play to Encourage
Every playground promotes a different kind of play: 
- Physical play through climbing, running, and swinging.
- Imaginative play through themed structures like castles or pirate ships.
- Social play with inclusive areas that encourage group interaction.
Your goals will help shape the layout and types of equipment you select.
2. Choose a Suitable Location and Conduct a Thorough Site Assessment
Location matters. Choosing the right site is critical to both safety and usability when building a commercial playground.
Evaluate the Site for Safety and Accessibility
Walk through potential locations with safety in mind. Look for existing hazards like uneven ground, standing water, or overhead obstructions. Proper drainage is essential to keep the playground safe and usable year-round.
Assess Sun Exposure and Weather Conditions
Parks in open fields may need additional shade structures to protect children from sunburn or overheating. In colder climates, consider snow removal and materials that can withstand freeze-thaw cycles.
Think About Visibility and Access
Your playground should be easy to find and access, both for safety and convenience. Make sure it's visible from nearby roads, buildings or offices to allow for natural supervision. Access via walking paths, sidewalks, or even public transportation is an added bonus.
Proximity to Amenities
Is the site near restrooms, picnic shelters, or parking? Adding a playground to an area already rich in amenities enhances its value and encourage longer family visits.
3. Plan for Safety, Compliance, and Surfacing
Safety is at the heart of every playground project. Building a commercial playground means complying with both national and local standards to minimize risk and liability.
Understand Industry Standards
Familiarize yourself with the most current playground safety guidelines:
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
These standards address equipment spacing, height limits, surfacing, and accessibility. At Noah's Park & Playgrounds, we stay up to date with all safety codes and are happy to help guide you through them.
Choose the Right Safety Surfacing
The surfacing beneath your playground is just as important as the equipment itself. Options include:
- Poured-In-Place Rubber: Durable and ADA-compliant but more expensive.
- Rubber or Wood Mulch: Budget-friendly but requires regular maintenance.
- Artificial Turf: Offers a soft, natural look but with long term performance.
Each surface has pros and cons in terms of cost, accessibility, aesthetics, and maintenance.
Consider Fencing or Borders
If your site is near a busy road, water, or other hazards, fencing helps define boundaries and keeps children safe. Edging also helps contain mulch or rubber surfacing and improves the park's appearance.
4. Establish a Budget and Explore Funding Options
Budgeting is one of the most crucial steps in building a commercial playground. The more detailed your plan, the fewer surprises you'll encounter down the road.
Key Budget Categories:
- Design services (Noah's Park & Playgrounds offers free custom design!)
- Playground equipment
- Site preparations (grading, clearing, drainage)
- Installation
- Safety surfacing
- Fencing or borders
- Landscaping and shade structures
- Ongoing maintenance
Be realistic about what you can afford, and where you can get support.
Funding Opportunities
If your budget is tight, explore various funding sources to help offset costs:
- Community grants (local, state, or national)
- Fundraisers and crowdfunding campaigns
- Corporate sponsorships
- Donations from community members or faith-based organizations
Many of our clients have successfully funded projects through partnerships with local businesses and community-driven events.
5. Consult Professionals and Involve the Community
Once you've made your preliminary plans, it's time to bring in the experts and the voices that matter most: your community.
Work with Playground Professionals
At Noah's Park & Playgrounds, our experienced team can help you at every step, from site evaluation and equipment selection to 3D renderings, timelines, and cost analysis. We're committed to helping you build a playground that is safe, engaging, and built to last.
Our playground experts are always available for questions and consultations. Whether you're ready to order or just need some guidance don't hesitate to reach out.
Engage Your Community
Community involvement adds value beyond the equipment:
- Host planning sessions with parents, teachers or local organizations.
- Invite kids to give input through drawings or feedback.
- Share your vision on social media and through local newsletters.
When people feel ownership in the project, they're more likely to support it, financially and emotionally. Community buy-in also encourages ongoing care and maintenance after the playground is built.
Final Thoughts on Building a Commercial Playground
Building a commercial playground is about more than installing swings and slides. It's about creating a space where kids can grow, communities can connect, and families can make memories for years to come. With thoughtful planning, a clear understanding of your audience, and the right professional support, your playground project can be a lasting success.
At Noah's Park & Playgrounds, we're passionate about helping you design and build the perfect commercial play space for your unique community. Let's get started planning today!