Playground Mulch

3. Install certified playground mulch under and around the playground.

2. Borders are used to contain the mulch (some natural settings allow us to taper the mulch down to grade elimating the need for containment borders. See photo below) There are several choices available for containment borders.

1. Barrier Cloth over existing lawn is most common. (Lawn and earth can also be excavated and drainage stone / drainage tile can be installed after excavation. Excavation and drainage adds a great deal to the cost. It is usually best to choose a location that is reasonably dry and well drained to begin with.

The Safety Surfacing Install Process: the images below illustrate a typical safety surfacing install with one of our cedar log playgrounds. The process varies slightly from when we install our steel commercial steel playgrounds. It is most common for us to do the safety surfacing install in conjunction with the playground install. However it is also possible for us to add the safety surfacing after the playground installation.

Separate from the delivery charge. Based upon $35 per man hr. (local only, more if prevailing wage rate apply, Access to the site by truck and trailer saves you money.

Regional, National and Large Bulk deliveries are available from or regional centers around the country, and arrive by tractor trailer. Min delivery charge will be approx $350 depending upon your location. 

Small Local Delivery: delivery is available locally by 10 cubic yard dump trailer. The cost for a trailer load is $395. Pick up is 32 per cubic yard. Discounts are available for large quantities and Bears Playground customers.

4) Each project is quote separately based upon the size of the area, the products chosen, depth of the surfacing and installation factors like access to the area by truck and trailer. We also offer below grade systems, drainage and interlocking unitary Rubber Tile pavers which are installed over a hard surface like concrete or asphalt.

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2) : Borders are typically installed above grade to help contain loose fill surfacing materials. Borders can be arranged in an organic, free from shape or in a rectangle. (Some customers, usually those in wooded or natural settings will taper their wooden playground mulch down to grade, without the use of borders.)

1) : Barrier Cloth provides separation between the ground and the surfacing product which helps keep them from intermixing, helps retard soil movement and reduces growth in the area.

Our most popular Safety Surfacing Systems consists of four parts:

Guidelines for public playgrounds recommend a minimum of 9" (after compaction) for play equipment under 4', and 12" (after compaction) for play equipment over 4'. Natural compaction will occur in 2-6 weeks. Compaction must occur to meet ADA.

Our wood playground mulch (engineered wood fiber) is a 100% natural product and contains no chemicals or artificial ingredients. It is made from recently harvested and debarked North American wood, free of soils, leaves, twigs and other contaminates which hasten decomposition. Chips are randomly sized and contain no waste wood or pallets as they could contain spilled chemicals, paint, metal, or wood preservatives. We utilize fresh wood that cannot be made into lumber. 

Our Wood Playground Mulch (engineered wood fiber) is third party certified, and meets the ADA, ASTM, CPSC and CSA standards for playground surfacing. Click to enlarge photo.