The safety surfacing at Flamingo Elementary in Hialeah, Fla., consists of ethylene-based (EPDM) or thermoplastic vulcanized rubber (TPV) rubber granules and a polyurethane binder. The two-layer system is poured-in-place and hand-trowelled to create a resilient, seamless rubber surface with a consistent depth over a specified rigid base. Miami-Dade installed similar rubber safety surfacing at four schools in the district with a sunshine pattern, with colors that match each school's theme.

Building new playgrounds has become a balancing act for architects and installers everywhere. Finding ways to engage children accustomed to digital distractions in active play are constrained by ever-increasing safety regulations and environmental concerns. Fortunately, manufacturers and designers are staying ahead of safety trends with improvements in safety surfacing that allow children to remain active and free during playtime. The growth of specialty features like splash pad parks are also providing interactive and immersive outdoor elements that can't be replicated by the light of a computer or cell phone screen.

The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, La., turned to No Fault Sport Group, a national supplier of synthetic surfacing, for their safety and sport surfacing needs. The firm provided bonded rubber mulch beneath the playground and safety surfacing beneath the climbing walls at BREC Perkins Road Park in Baton Rouge. The bonded mulch is a one-layer, poured-in-place rubber surface composed of postconsumer recycled rubber shred, commonly made from recycled auto tires.

This rubber-bonded safety surfacing, installed at a Louisiana State University playground at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., has a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) base mat and an EPDM or TPV colored cap. Both layers are mixed with a non-flammable, non-shrinking, one-part moisture-cured polyurethane adhesive as recommended by the manufacturer, which is capable of bonding to concrete, asphalt or compacted stone. An identical playground was installed on the left field foul line, and a rubber safety surface was added on the field to emulate a dirt warning track.

Superlative Splashpad
Blue Heron Bay at Independence Lake County Park in Michigan is the largest splash pad complex in North America, covering more than 20,000 square feet. It took two years and cost $4 million to complete, replacing a previous splash park that was struggling after 12 summers of operation. The new project involved building the spray space in a more centrally located area in the 414-acre park, improving access for visitors. The park implemented some of the most advanced technology in sustainable water usage, including the water distribution system, nozzles, spray sequences, flow controllers and intervals of usage.

A sizable family zone features an Elevation structure highlighted by the Superwave, a tall spinning wheel that fills with water before dumping it on the children below. A toddler zone features free standing bubbling fountains, with a turtle and frog that spit large mouthfuls of water on younger children.

At the opposite end of the park from the toddler's section, a 15-foot spider sprays webs of water when the Funflow Actuator is triggered. The splash park also has a two-story water slide with two flumes, one enclosed and one open, attached to a 24-foot tower that uses a run out, rather than a pool, to allow shorter riders and non-swimmers to enjoy the slides.

Vortex says the Blue Heron Bay splashpad has the largest high-efficiency water recirculation system the company has ever built, and purports the UV water treatment kills more than 99 percent of harmful bacteria. The splashpad can accommodate about 420 people, and will operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.