Playgrounds provide the public with endless opportunities for fun, exercise, and quality time outdoors. However, as playgrounds age, a difficult decision must be made: Should the equipment be repaired or replaced?
You want to provide the best play environment but probably have budget constraints and a maintenance backlog. The repairs are starting to get more expensive and frequent. Is it time to replace the equipment?
This article focuses on what to consider when deciding on playground repair or replacement. It also provides tips on how to make the decision easier.
How Long Does Playground Equipment Last?
The lifespan of playground equipment varies due to various factors. However, playground equipment should generally be replaced or updated every 8 to 10 years to stay maintained and safe. Some commercial playground equipment can last up to 20 years or more in the right circumstances.
Factors contributing to a playground’s lifespan include:
- Materials: The types and quality of materials affect the lifespan and the amount of maintenance the playground needs. For example, wood structures are more likely to rot, decay, or cause splinters if improperly maintained.
- Usage: High-traffic playgrounds may face more issues and develop wear and tear faster. Equipment like swings, climbing structures, and slides may need more frequent repairs and parts replacements.
- Climate: Extreme temperature swings and weather can degrade parts and equipment more rapidly. Exposure to the sun can also shorten the lifespan of some playground materials.
Routine inspections and maintenance: Playground equipment that gets regular attention can last longer. Smaller issues get addressed before they become bigger and more expensive problems.
Assessing Playground Equipment
Your maintenance team needs to conduct regular playground inspections as part of a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan. Low-frequency and high-frequency inspections should occur at regular intervals.
Low-frequency playground inspections are more detailed and occur less often. During these inspections, your staff thoroughly checks all aspects of the playground and surrounding area. Low-frequency inspections allow your agency to get a comprehensive snapshot of the playground’s condition.
In contrast, high-frequency inspections occur more often and are not as detailed. They are generally meant to identify obvious issues that need immediate attention.
The frequency of these inspections depends on the type and age of equipment, playground usage, and climate. In general, perform high-frequency inspections daily or weekly. Depending on the abovementioned factors, low-frequency inspections may be performed monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Key Factors to Consider During Playground Inspections
Both inspections have similar components that need to be checked, including:
- Visual inspections: Checking for signs of wear and tear, vandalism, graffiti, and missing hardware.
- Functional testing: Ensuring moving parts operate correctly, checking for stability and structural integrity, and testing safety mechanisms.
- Compliance & safety standards: Specific guidelines defined by governing bodies, manufacturers, or risk management.
Making the Decision
The decision to repair or replace playground equipment may not be as straightforward as you’d like. Considering budgets, resources, current and future projects, community input, and other factors can make things more complicated.
Before deciding, here are some things to review.
Inspection/Work History
Historical records can be a big help in determining whether it is time to repair or replace. If the playground equipment regularly fails inspections or needs constant repairs, it may be better to invest in new equipment.
Playground equipment work history should detail previous preventative maintenance and repairs. Also, records of replaced playground parts can help you calculate the overall maintenance costs of the playground so far.
Do a Current Conditions Assessment
Conduct a thorough inspection to determine all the needs of the playground equipment. You don’t want to fix one thing and then realize a month later that four other repairs are needed to make the structure safe and playable. Get the full scope of work necessary to bring the equipment up to standards.
Public Opinion
Review any community complaints or safety concerns. Also, get the public's opinions of the park. Do they think it is outdated? Do they feel resources would be better spent on other parks and assets?
Determine if an area is experiencing changes that will affect playground usage. Are more younger families moving in? Is a new subdivision being built that will increase traffic? Is the area’s demographics getting older, with fewer younger kids in the neighborhood?
Public opinion is only one aspect of the decision-making process, but if the decision is close, the community’s thoughts can be a tipping point.
Consider the Costs
A thorough understanding and comparison of repair vs replacement costs can help guide the decision-making process. Evaluate the costs related to repairing the playground equipment in its current condition. If necessary, get estimates from vendors or contractors. Factor in the costs of parts, labor, shipping, and other fees.
And that’s just the beginning. You also need to take into account the potential for future issues. This is where your historical records can help you make an estimate. Find out how often playground issues get addressed each year. Get an average cost for each time a repair is needed. Those two numbers will give you a “ballpark” figure of annual repair costs.
You also want to determine how much a replacement will cost. The costs of a new playground go beyond purchasing equipment. You must also factor in delivery and installation, integrations with existing systems and setups, and any additional training or equipment necessary to maintain the new playground.
Consult with Experts
Sometimes, it helps to have an extra set of eyes on the situation. Consulting with a neutral third party can give you fresh ideas and insights. You may find new solutions that can extend the lifespan of a playground.
Consider the Pros and Cons of Each Decision
Repairing playground equipment is typically less expensive and labor-intensive. It also uses materials you already have. If replacement parts are readily available and your playground is relatively new, repairing usually makes more sense.
Choosing to repair, however, increases the annual maintenance cost. Keeping up with safety and compliance regulations may also be more difficult. As the playground ages, it may be challenging to get compatible replacement parts.
Replacing playground equipment, on the other hand, is usually the more expensive option. On the plus side, the public may embrace the excitement of new equipment, which is designed to be more inclusive and ADA-compliant.
Replacing equipment often takes more time and may require modification to existing areas like poured-in-place surfacing.
Implementing the Decision
Once you’ve decided on repairing or replacing equipment, you want to establish a plan to make the work go smoothly and get the most out of the work completed. From planning and setting up the area to completing the final touches, the process should be detailed carefully.
Avoid rushing the work. Hasty installations can lead to mistakes affecting the playground’s safety and manufacturer’s warranty. Adjust as needed and be sure all features are working safely and correctly.
Implement a regular playground maintenance plan that includes regular inspections, methods for communicating issues, and an easy way to record all the work completed. Computerized maintenance management software can help your team stay on track with the plan and provide necessary records about maintenance tasks and costs.
The Takeaway
You will eventually need to decide whether to repair or replace playground equipment. This decision is difficult for most agencies, especially with limited budgets and resources. Thorough inspections, detailed records of previous work, and an understanding of your playground’s usage and lifespan can make the big decision easier for your agency.