Playground gravel. It offers a natural, organic appearance.
Playground gravel Durability: Rocks are durable materials that don’t decompose. Playground sand . 3/8” Washed Chips: Driveway material no large rocks to plow in the winter. Inspector Concerns: Some playground inspectors have reservations about pea gravel due to its maintenance needs and safety limitations in certain conditions. Compare its performance on 7 key criteria, such as safety, cleanliness, maintenance, accessibility and cost. ft. May 20, 2024 · Understanding the Importance of Pea Gravel in Playgrounds. The small size makes it comfortable for kids to walk and play on, while also providing good drainage. Pros: It lasts for years before it needs to be freshened up with a new layer. Playground surfacing can be classified into two main categories: unitary surfacing and loose fill surfacing. Let’s explore why: Playgrounds are a place where children can have fun, explore, and develop important skills. Loose fill surfacing, like sand, pea gravel, and EWF, are typically less expensive. The playground area may need edging to help contain the gravel. Pros: Natural Aesthetic: Grass gives a natural, soft look to any playground. Class 1: ¾” Crushed gravel with 12% clay. This means that your playground must be regularly topped up for maximum Jun 15, 2024 · Pea gravel is an incredible material if you are looking for a naturally beautiful, safe, eco-friendly, and inexpensive playground surface. We deliver road gravel, pea stone, sand and more. Mar 3, 2025 · However, sand contaminates easily – animal waste and broken glass pose hygiene risks. It offers a natural, organic appearance. In fact pea gravel can reportedly reduce the required fall height to as low as 10 inches, while the recommended fall height with rubber mulch remains at 18 inches. It plays a crucial role in creating a safe and functional playground surface. Safety Rating: Low – Not recommended for playgrounds where fall protection is a priority. Pea Gravel. Cons: Best Surface for Playgrounds: A Look at Pea Gravel. CALL US: 709-782-0096. Pea gravel playgrounds have a much lower fall height requirement than rubber mulch, which means pea gravel surfaces are better suited for this purpose. Maintenance: Pea gravel must be inspected for depth, debris, and proper drainage. Ballpark sand . It is also a safer alternative to sand in a sandbox because it does not contain toxins. It consists of tiny (⅛ to ⅜ inch in diameter) smooth stones, mostly found near water. Snow removal on pea gravel requires care to avoid disturbing the surface. Whatever surface you choose, make sure it is level and extends at least 6 feet in every direction (even farther near swings and slides) for optimal safety. 1 Mar 2, 2019 · Learn the pros and cons of using grass, sand, or pea gravel as playground surfacing. Pea gravel is perfectly named — smooth, round, clean stones the size of peas. Pea Gravel for Playgrounds. Pit Run Fill Sand: beach sand or fill material has some rocks; Beach Sand: fine soft sugar sand for beach or playground no rocks What Is the Best Aggregate Size for a Playground? - Hello Gravel hellogravel. Learn why pea gravel is not a safe or suitable option for public or commercial playgrounds. Class A road gravel . Inexpensive: Relatively low cost to maintain, especially in public parks. Jun 3, 2021 · Pea gravel is a relatively low-cost loose-fill material. Nov 11, 2024 · Gravel is a popular and cost-effective playground surface, offering excellent drainage and impact absorption but requiring regular maintenance. The good news is that the number and severity of injuries can be reduced using softer playground surface materials, such as shredded wood chips, rubber mulch, or pea gravel, over harder surfaces like asphalt and concrete. com Jan 7, 2024 · Small gravel sizes, such as pea gravel, are suitable for playgrounds with younger children. Mar 23, 2023 · Pea gravel is a popular and cost-effective material for playgrounds, but it has some drawbacks and requirements. 7. Pro Tip: In coastal areas, mix 10% crushed oyster shells for natural antimicrobial properties. However, with the hustle and bustle of play, they get displaced very easily. Some autism-friendly playgrounds use kinetic sand for sensory play, but it’s costly ($18/sq. Types of gravel, such as pea gravel, crushed stone, and river rock, each have unique characteristics that affect their suitability for playgrounds. Cons: Pea gravel feels pretty hard in cold weather. Pea gravel is not just any ordinary type of gravel. 3/8” Crusher fines: Driveway Material & Patio Block Base with dust to help compaction. However, safety should always be a top priority. ). Winter sand . top of page. It’s Pea gravel and rubber mulch are great choices of covering materials for your playground. Grass. Learn how to use pea gravel safely, how much it costs, and how to maintain it. ; The material alone typically costs $30 to $50 per ton, costing you about $3,000-5,000 to fill a 2,500 square foot area with a minimum 9-inch depth. Then the pea gravel is added over that. Pea gravel is commonly used in ground covering and is one of the most affordable options to provide a clean area around the play equipment. Weather Effects: In cold weather, pea gravel can harden, impacting its safety as a cushioning surface. Pea gravel is the type of stones that are smooth, round, and clean. However, it is essential to consider age-appropriate play equipment and the potential for choking hazards with smaller gravel sizes. May 6, 2024 · Choking Hazard: Pea gravel can pose a choking risk, especially for younger children. Gravel, however, can compress under constant use and lose some shock-absorbing qualities. vwigydgyozgzeehdtkqstiupauukunhgfhqghfwvyvydjznqqus