Series: How to budget for your playground – Site Prep.

We have reached the last part of our budgeting series, and today is all about site preparation.

For the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at all the fun and visually pleasing elements of your playground. Design, Equipment, Surfacing. But today is about all the groundwork that needs to be done before all that stuff can even take place.

Unfortunately, a lot of people miss the pre-work that needs to be done before their playground project can get started and later run into compliance issues or complications with the project that could have been avoided if they had taken some extra time to think through the state of their site.

In order to help you avoid these mistakes and save you some money we have come up with a few suggestions.

Click here to download the Creo “How to Build a Playground” Guide

How to plan your site preparation budget?

Before you can install equipment and surfacing, you need a site that’s ready to go. This is an area where the existing site can have a major impact on costs. Some questions you need to ask when considering your site preparation budget are:

Is there existing equipment and safety surfacing that needs to be removed or disposed of?
Are there any drainage issues that need to be address?
Will retaining walls need to be replaced or built?
Are there any existing trees and roots that need to be worked around or removed?
Are there services like water, gar, or power under the space that need to be worked around?
Is access into the space okay for trucks and equipment?
Does pedestrian traffic need to be worked around?
Will the project be completed in stages or in one go?

Budgeting Tip!

When budgeting for your playground project keep in mind the golden rule of thirds.

1/3 of your budget for equipment

1/3 of your budget for surfacing

1/3 of your budget for design, site prep, and any other project costs that might come up.

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Series: How to budget for your playground – Surfacing.

Safe for children to play on wet pour rubber surfacing.

Part 3 of our “How to budget for your playground” series is all about surfacing.

The last two weeks we’ve looked at budgeting for your playground design and equipment, but today we’re getting down to the groundwork and focusing on surfacing.

Surfacing will make up a large portion of your playground project budget, and it’s not something you can brush over, so today we hope to get you thinking about safety, and accessibility, and how to choose the right surface for your playground.

Click here to download the Creo “How to Build a Playground” Guide

How to plan your playground surfacing budget?

Play surfacing is often overlooked when people are planning a playground, but it makes up a significant part of every playground project and your budget. It’s important to be thinking about your playground’s surfacing at the same time you plan for your equipment and design needs. All 3 components work together and will have a bearing on the cost of your project.

When looking at surfacing options for your playground, ask yourself the following questions:

What is the fall height of the equipment?

It’s important to find out the fall height of the equipment you are installing into your space. The higher the equipment is, the more you might have to spend on safety surfacing to make sure all falls are cushioned.

What is the existing surface condition?

If your existing surfacing needs to be cleared out, demolished, or needs drainage work, this will add to the cost of your project.

Do you need your playground to be inclusive and wheelchair accessible?

Some low-cost surfacing options like bark chips are not suitable for accessible playgrounds and you might have to factor in more expensive surfacing materials.

What kind of ongoing surfacing maintenance are you okay with?

Some surfaces require more maintenance than others. For example, wood chips need to be topped up annually whereas wet pour rubber surfaces require very little ongoing maintenance. Think about how much time/resources you want to allocate to maintaining your playground surfacing.

Is a loose safety surface going to affect the usability of adjacent areas?

Loose materials like stones, gravel, bark, or sand will spill out beyond the borders of your playground. Have a think about whether this will make adjacent areas unusable.

Are you wanting to include surface mounds and topography play into your space?

Only a few surface options allow for this level of design.

Do you want a theme designed into your surface?

The more design you add, the higher the cost of the surface.

Do you intend on landscaping the surrounding area?

Adding garden areas around your playground adds to the character of your playground, but also adds to the cost, both initially and in maintenance.

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Series: How to budget for your playground – Equipment.

We are on week two of our “How to Budget for your Playground” series, and today we will be talking all about EQUIPMENT.

We mentioned in our last blog post that to build a playground that’s suitable for all ages and abilities, you can break your budget down into four main categories:

Design
Equipment
Surfacing
Site Preparation

In our last blog post, we talked about how you can break your playground project budget into four main categories: design, equipment, surfacing, and site preparation, and kicked off our budgeting series focusing on design. If you have not read that article, you can find it here.

Now that you have budgeted for your playground design, it’s time to think about how you’re going to fill in your play space and what kinds of equipment pieces you might want to introduce.

Let’s dive right in.

Click here to download the Creo “How to Build a Playground” Guide

How to plan your play equipment budget?

If you’re like most people starting out on their playground-building journey you probably started out thinking about the kinds of playground equipment you need. Obviously, playground equipment is very important for creating an exciting and fun playground. So, it’s worth spending some time learning about the questions you need to ask before setting a playground equipment budget.

Here’s a list of questions that will help you determine what you need:

Can you use some of the existing equipment?

If your existing play equipment is still in decent condition, you might be able to reconfigure, relocate, or reuse it. Re-purposing those beloved pieces will save you from having to spend money on new equipment pieces.

What play types do you need?

There are many play types such as sliding, spinning, swinging, climbing, or unprescribed play, that you can introduce into your space through equipment. Have a think about what play types you need and want in your space. Keeping in mind the age range and abilities of the playground users when thinking about this.

Are there long lead times on the equipment?

This will impact the timely completion of the project and might also drive costs up or down.

What are the hidden costs of the installation?

These are things like, freight of material and installation of the equipment.

What are the maintenance costs of the playground?

This ranges from surfacing to equipment to landscaping.

Do you want off-the-shelf equipment, or are you looking for something customised for your space?

This will also impact lead times and cost.

What kind of materials do you want to use in your playground?

The materials used will greatly impact the cost. Are you wanting plastic, metal, or maybe wooden features?

Do you need to install shade?

In sun-exposed places, it’s important to provide shade. Shade sails will add an extra cost to your project that you will need to account for.

Do you require outdoor furniture for your playground?

You may require seating for people who are supervising children in your playground. Or maybe you just want to create break-out areas for people to relax around the play space.

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Northland School

For the past year, Creo has been working with the team at Northland School to create new and exciting playground spaces for the students and school community.

Client:

Northland School

Location:

Northland, Wellington

Circa Budget:

$250,000

In 2022, the first of the 2-stage project was completed, transforming an empty outdoor space into a fresh and engaging playground.

Stage 1 of the playspace project at Northland School features a design and installation of a brand-new playground, located beside a new building structure at the school. The area designated for the play space is part of an existing larger asphalt court that the school wanted to turn into a natural-looking playground that was inviting and exciting for their students to use.

Using a custom Robinia wood equipment structure and MulchSet rubber playground surfacing, the Creo team were able to create a natural-looking playground full of texture and warmth. The wooden structure is a versatile piece that encourages unprescribed play and children of all ages to get creative with their games and challenges. The rubber mulch product ensures that falls or bumps are well cushioned and helps create a natural-looking safety surface that works well into the landscaping and future play areas to come in Stage 2.

The Robinia wood equipment structure adds a unique element to the playground, providing a range of play types, including sliding, balancing, climbing, and a hanging-out area. The informal play type on the Robinia equipment adds to the overall natural and free-play feel of the playground.

Creo worked closely with students and staff at the school to create a playground that encourages creativity, exploration, and physical activity.

As stage two of the project is completed, the playground will offer even more activities and play opportunities. The concept plan for the second stage features proper basketball courts, a flying fox, landscaping and plantings, more play areas, and conversations/seating spaces for students and the wider school community to enjoy. These exciting elements will help provide the school with an inviting and engaging outdoor space that can be used for years to come.

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

Series: How to budget for your playground – Design.

Having a clear budget for your playground project is the first step in making your dream play space a reality.

If you want to build a playground that’s suitable for all ages and abilities, you can break your budget down into four main categories:

Design
Equipment
Surfacing
Site Preparation

In this blog post, we will be covering the first category: design. We’ll answer your questions about how to plan your design budget, what to budget for, and how to allocate your budget so you still have room for the other 3 categories you also have to consider.

Click here to download the Creo “How to Build a Playground” Guide

How to plan your design budget?

In our experience, design is critical to creating a successful playground. Without it, playground equipment, surfacing, and landscaping do not work well together, and the overall feel of the playground suffers.

When it comes to allocating a budget towards the design of your playground, there are a few things to consider:

Will you include a consultation process to gather ideas from the community?

Engaging local families and children is a great way to ensure your playground meets the needs of the people who will be using it, but it also takes more time and adds to the cost of your project.

Opening the brainstorming process to the public or the student at your school is a great way to get community buy-in and support for your playground project, and often times they will pick up on details that might otherwise be overlooked.

Do you want your designer to create multiple different concept designs to choose from or just one design that fits your brief?

Creating a design concept takes time, and obviously, adding more designs will cost you more.

Will you bring any cultural or local themes into the design?

The more complex a design the higher the cost will be.

Will you work with a company that handles the design and construction of your playground?

Working with separate companies can add to the cost of your project. Working with one company that provides both design services and the ability to build your playground reduces overhead costs, which can make your project less costly.

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Milne Drive Playground

In 2022, Creo collaborated with the team at Kapiti Coast District Council to update the playground at Milne Drive Reserve.

Client:

Kapiti Coast District Council

Location:

Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast

Circa Budget:

$150,000

The playground is a basic, low-cost design that was built within an existing asphalt pathway. Despite the limited budget, Creo was able to create a functional and engaging space that has become a hit with the local community.

One of the key factors the Creo team used to keep the project within budget was the decision to utilise the existing footprints of the area. By working within the designed space that was already there, Creo was able to avoid the need for costly excavation and construction work. Instead, Creo focused on introducing new and exciting play features, including a basket belt, a Robinia swing set, a ground-level spinner, and a couple of upper-body play pieces that lead onto a slide and mound in the playground.

To create better connections and easy access to the playground, Creo created some new pathways to define the area. These new paths were also transformed into an additional play opportunity by creating humps that could be utilised as obstacles for a scooter track, encouraging kids to think outside the box, get creative with their play, and inspire them to stay active. By being creative with the design and layout of the playground, Creo was able to make the budget go as far as possible while still providing a fun and engaging space for the community.

Another element to the playground that was added at the request of the council is the fitness equipment pieces. These pieces were included to provide recreational options for more mature visitors to the playground. These fitness pieces are targeted to users with a wide range of ages and abilities. Creo has created a space that is truly inclusive and welcoming to everyone in the community.

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

Brooklyn Community Centre

Sports are also great on thematic playground design.

The playground at Brooklyn Community Centre is a celebration of colour and activity.

Client:

Wellington City Council

Location:

Wellington

Circa Budget:

$470,000

The council collaborated with Creo to create a recreational space for the visitors and community around the Brooklyn Community Centre. The playground embraces activity and equipment designed to encourage activity for a wide range of ages while also becoming a space that can be used for after-school and holiday programmes in the community.

The playground near the community centre had an existing basketball court and a small play space. The Creo design team decided to build upon the existing space by adding new features, equipment pieces, and playful elements that could serve the needs of the community using the space. Creo transformed the space by including hang-out areas off to the side of the space, ground painting sports marks, and a basketball court, making the playground an ideal spot for kids of all ages to enjoy.

The playground also included play surfacing with elements designed to promote physical activity and challenge, by introducing balance play pieces like the balance balls that add both a 3D element to the surface and become a fun play piece for everyone the enjoy. The design of the space is bright and colourful making it an inviting place for families to come and enjoy.

This playground project is an excellent example of how thoughtful design can transform an existing space into a vibrant and inviting environment. The new play space is a multifunctional environment that is fun for users of all ages and can be accessed year-round.

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park

Located in the high country of the South Island, Omarama’s Top 10 Holiday Park is the perfect summer getaway for many and an ideal stopover between some of the country’s best ski fields during the winter months.

Client:

Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park

Location:

Omarama

Circa Budget:

$180,000

With many families visiting the park every year, the on-site playground is a popular feature that is enjoyed by many. When Natalie took over the business in 2021 one of the first things she planned to update was the playground. She explains, “The playground before this was dangerous. Very unsafe, very outdated. It needed some TLC…which is why we decided to invest in a new playground.”

With a budget in mind for the update, Natalie approached Creo to help update the playground and create a play space that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages and abilities.

After some discussions with Creo, Natalie revisited the budget allocated to the project and decided to invest more into creating a space using materials that would last and endure the extreme weather conditions experienced in the area. Settling on using a mix of rubber surfacing and artificial turf meant that the play space can be used all year round, requiring little maintenance, and looking fresh season after season.

Natalie gave the Creo team total freedom to create a design concept within the project budget, and the team came back with an open-plan space fit for the wide range of age groups who will be using the play environment.

New equipment pieces were incorporated into the design such as a new flying fox, a swing set, a slide, colourful mounds, and seating. The vibrant Top 10 blue and yellow colours were incorporated into the design, adding a bright and welcoming touch to the fun new space.

“Working with Creo was very straightforward. Nothing was a problem. Nothing was too hard.”

In the final weeks of the build, Omarama, along with many other parts of the lower South Island, experienced heavy rainfall, and serious flooding. What was almost a completed play space, turned into an extension of the Ahuriri River, covering all the newly installed play surfacing and washing away a lot of the work that had been done on-site. The team at Creo kept in close communication with Natalie during this time, keeping an eye on the damage. Once the flooding cleared away, Creo’s install team got back to work and re-poured the rubber that had been washed away and laid down fresh new turf.

After the flooding and the snow of 2022, the new play space was finally completed and the Holiday Park reopened in November featuring this new attraction for visitors to enjoy.

“Creo hasn’t made a “playground” as such, they’ve made a “play space”. It’s given younger campers the freedom to be able to play how they want. We see some awesome games being played here in the park, and just the happiness, the fun, and the laughter that comes from this space are more than we could’ve imagined when we signed up with Creo to create this.”

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

Chelsea Street Playground

The recently completed playground project at Chelsea Street, Wellington, is a fun play on the environment and community surrounding the area.

Client:

Chelsea Street Playground

Location:

Miramar, Wellington

Circa Budget:

$480,000

Located near the capital’s airport, the space is themed around aeroplanes and flight motifs, along with the regional Wellingtonian colours, that together make this a truly unique space.

The playground at Chelsea Street is a junior play space with a unique focus on accessibility. The council wanted to create a new play space that could be used by the surrounding community and those using the nearby community centre. Creo worked closely with the council and community groups to identify key priorities and budgets. Taking those ideas, Creo’s designers put together a playful concept that met the needs of local families. The result is a playground that is engaging, accessible and tells the story of the surrounding environment.

There are a number of play opportunities in this playground including the inground tramp and basket swing, scooter tracks, and other engaging play equipment pieces. These elements provide a unique play experience for kids and are easily accessible and complement each other in the space. The rubber surface ensures that the playground is safe and easy to navigate. Clear access pathways were included in the space to provide easier entry into the play space, as well as create additional play opportunities by doubling as a bike or scooter track for younger kids.

Shade was also a key consideration in the design of the playground, and Creo worked closely with the council to ensure that there are ample shade structures throughout the space. This provides a comfortable and safe space for kids to play, even on hot summer days.

The Creo team ensured the playground concept and implementation also included plenty of seating options and gathering spaces that could be used as conversational areas, perfect for that picnic or a catch-up with friends.

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

Anderson Bay School

Playground surface with different material, some pillars in gray.

Creating a challenging and natural play environment at Anderson Bay School.

Client:

Anderson Bay School

Location:

Dunedin

Circa Budget:

$220,000

Andersons Bay School is a primary school located in Dunedin. In 2022, the school worked with the design and build team at Creo to create a brand-new play space for its students.

In the early stages of the project, the school expressed that they wanted a fun new play environment with a natural look that could be both exciting and challenging for students.

Principal Pauline Simpson explained: “The importance of the natural environment is huge for us. We wanted to create something that gave a natural feel while giving children challenge and fun activities to use in their break times and also as part of their learning.”

After designing and concept that incorporated natural wooden materials, landscaping, unique equipment pieces, and safety surfacing, the install team got on site and because to bring the space to life.

The installation phase of the project at Andersons Bay School didn’t come without it’s set of challenges. The Creo team worked during one of the wettest winters on record, dealing with continuous rain for a number of weeks. Despite the difficult conditions, the Creo team continued to work through the rain and bring the playground together.

The result is an open, and natural play space that blends into the landscape surrounding the school.

One of the most popular items in the new playground is the flying fox. According to Principal Simpson, the children love it. “It is so well used by the children. It develops their upper body strength. It develops their do-operation. It’s surprising just how creative they can be with it.” Other features in the playground include a range of balance beams, swings, a climbing rope tower, and a slide.

The new playground has had a significant impact on the school community. Students now have access to a range of fun and challenging activities during their break times, and the playground also serves as a learning tool during class time. The playground has become an asset to the school visually, blending in perfectly with the natural landscape, and has also provided children with even more opportunities for creative play.

“At the end of it, we have a happy community and happy children who love this area down here. Visually it’s an asset, and it’s also an asset in terms of giving our children even more creative play options.”

Want to see more projects like this one?

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We have reached the last part of our budgeting series, and today is all about site preparation.

How to plan your site preparation budget?

Is there existing equipment and safety surfacing that needs to be removed or disposed of?

Are there any drainage issues that need to be address?

Will retaining walls need to be replaced or built?

Are there any existing trees and roots that need to be worked around or removed?

Are there services like water, gar, or power under the space that need to be worked around?

Is access into the space okay for trucks and equipment?

Does pedestrian traffic need to be worked around?

Will the project be completed in stages or in one go?

Budgeting Tip!

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Part 3 of our “How to budget for your playground” series is all about surfacing.

How to plan your playground surfacing budget?

What is the fall height of the equipment?

What is the existing surface condition?

Do you need your playground to be inclusive and wheelchair accessible?

What kind of ongoing surfacing maintenance are you okay with?

Is a loose safety surface going to affect the usability of adjacent areas?

Are you wanting to include surface mounds and topography play into your space?

Do you want a theme designed into your surface?

Do you intend on landscaping the surrounding area?

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

We are on week two of our “How to Budget for your Playground” series, and today we will be talking all about EQUIPMENT.

How to plan your play equipment budget?

Can you use some of the existing equipment?

What play types do you need?

Are there long lead times on the equipment?

What are the hidden costs of the installation?

What are the maintenance costs of the playground?

Do you want off-the-shelf equipment, or are you looking for something customised for your space?

What kind of materials do you want to use in your playground?

Do you need to install shade?

Do you require outdoor furniture for your playground?

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Northland School

Client:

Northland School

Location:

Northland, Wellington

Circa Budget:

$250,000

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

We're here to help

Having a clear budget for your playground project is the first step in making your dream play space a reality.

How to plan your design budget?

Will you include a consultation process to gather ideas from the community?

Do you want your designer to create multiple different concept designs to choose from or just one design that fits your brief?

Will you bring any cultural or local themes into the design?

Will you work with a company that handles the design and construction of your playground?

If you’d like to talk to someone about a future project or would like a concept designed for your space, give us a call at 0800 000 334, or book a 15-minute ideas session with one of our consultants.

Milne Drive Playground

Client:

Kapiti Coast District Council

Location:

Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast

Circa Budget:

$150,000

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

We're here to help

Brooklyn Community Centre

Client:

Wellington City Council

Location:

Wellington

Circa Budget:

$470,000

Want to see more projects like this one?

Download our latest portfolio. Just fill the form and see how we design and build fun, inclusive and beautiful places for all.

We're here to help

Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park

Located in the high country of the South Island, Omarama’s Top 10 Holiday Park is the perfect summer getaway for many and an ideal stopover between some of the country’s best ski fields during the winter months.

Client:

Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park

Location:

Omarama

Circa Budget:

$180,000