January 31st, 2017
Faced with a playground project for a school, HOA, church or childcare center? It's normal to jump in and start building a wish list. Shopping for slides, swings, climbers, and colorful structures is exciting! But before you start adding to your cart, it's critical to understand how your playground budget will shape your project. Commercial grade playgrounds come with unique costs and considerations, and managing your funds effectively will help you avoid sticker shop and keep your project on track
Creating a realistic and flexible playground budget is one of the most important steps in planning a successful playground project. It's not just about setting a number, it's about understanding what that number needs to cover. From equipment and surfacing to freight, installation, and long term maintenance, every line item matters. A well thought out playground budget also includes contingency funds for unexpected costs or opportunities to upgrade features down the line. Whether you're working with a small grant, community fundraiser, or large scale capital campaign, documenting every expected expense helps you stay organized and avoid overspending It's also helpful when presenting your project to stakeholders or potential donors who want to see where their contributions are going. The more detailed your budget, the better your chances of building a high-quality playground that fits both your space and financial plan.
Why is Commercial Playground Equipment More Expensive?
A common question we here is, "why does commercial playground equipment cost more than what you see in a backyard?" The answer is simple, it's not the same product. Commercial playground equipment is built to much higher standards. It must:
- Meet strict government safety guidelines
- Be designed for 100s of children playing daily
- Last for decades of use
- Remain safe and compliant throughout its lifespan
This means heavy-duty materials, professional installation, and careful engineering. You're paying for long term durability, not just for looks. But don't worry, there are plenty of ways to make it work for your playground budget.
Look for Sales
Equipment distributors have "specials" or sales or temporary discounts, which reduce equipment cost considerably. Sales can be the result of too much inventory, or even special pricing from a manufacturer to distributors. Discounts can vary from 5 percent or as high as 50 percent; Also look for the occasionally freebie item when you buy certain items. ALWAYS ask your dealer/distributor if they have any sales that are not on their website.
Use the Same Playground Equipment Distributor
It's tempting to buy from more than one playground equipment distributor, keep in mind this can cost more money than using a single company like Noah's Park & Playgrounds. Why? When equipment ships from multiple companies you can end up paying more for shipping fees and added freight. Also, watch for differences in delivery dates between manufacturers, which could result in possible installation delays by weeks or even months.
Get Installation Help from Your Community
Getting volunteer labor from your community is an excellent way to save on installation costs, which often takes a huge chunk out of any budget. In addition to our full, turnkey installation services, Noah’s offers the option of using one of our four CPSI Certified staff members for a supervised install with your volunteer crew. This installation alternative works well if you get labor from a good crew of volunteers and pair them along with our CPSI supervisors, to save and stretch your budget.
Find Package Deals
Noah's Park & Playground always tries to offer amazing "saving money" opportunities with our Playground Packages. Since 2016 we have added more than 25 different playground packages starting as low as $8,000, which will hopefully fit your playground site and budget. Buying equipment in a package or "bundle" can save thousands on any playground budget. All our playground packages include a playground structure, swings, spring rider, border timbers and an ADA ramp.
Make Site Amenities ‘Phase Two’ purchases
Of course, you’ll need a few basic amenities, to give parents, teachers and other caregivers a place to sit down and relax while children play. However, equipment such as benches, trash receptacles, tables, shades and even bike racks can increase your budget. A good approach is to think about making these purchases later, or phasing in the cost into the next fiscal year.
Take Advantage of Fundraising
In many cases, the budget for commercial playgrounds comes from capital funds, meaning that there’s a limit on what you can spend because a time-frame is involved in meeting these objectives. One the best ways to stretch your playground budget is by taking advantage of fundraising. Some of the most common types of fundraising ideas include raffles, rebates, website affiliate programs, golf tournaments, aquatic races, book fairs, community garage sales, auctions and other events. Noah’s can even help by providing poster type images to show your community during your fundraising events or efforts.
Equipment Lease/Purchase = Immediate Equipment
Commercial playground equipment is costly. If fundraising efforts look like they could take months or years to happen, seriously consider lease/purchase financing equipment. Noah’s Park and Playgrounds works closely with PEAC Solutions Financing to secure low rates and short-term financing. A lease-purchase on equipment allows almost immediate purchase, cash-flow savings, and in many instances keeps you from the headache of months of fundraising efforts!
Bonus Tip: Don't Forget Safety Surfacing in Your Budget
When creating your playground budget, remember to account for surfacing. Safety surfacing is a requirement for any commercial playground and helps prevent injuries. Popular options include:
- Wood Mulch
- Rubber Mulch
- Poured in place rubber
- Artificial turf
Each option has a different price point and a maintenance level, so be sure to consider both upfront and long term costs.
Let Us Help You Stretch Your Playground Budget
Are you planning a commercial playground? Maybe you need help with stretching your playground budget, which is a service we provide. Call the commercial playground specialists at Noah’s Park and Playgrounds.
As a highly experienced and skilled park and playground site dealer, with over 90+ years of combined playground industry experience between our staff, we work with churches, daycare centers, HOAs, schools, municipalities and other clients needing commercial playground equipment. Please contact us and find out more about our many products and services.