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Playground turf
Under a swing set, turf is not a lawn: it is an impact-attenuating safety surface, and it only protects a falling child if the pad underneath is rated for the height of the equipment. That makes playground turf a tested system rather than a product.
Learn how fall height is measured and what the standards require, then compare turf with mulch, rubber and poured surfaces on safety, accessibility, cost and upkeep.
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- Artificial Turf for Playgrounds, A Complete GuideHow turf-and-pad playground systems work, what makes a play surface safe, the standards that apply to homes and public sites, and honest pros and cons.
- Critical Fall Height and Shock Pads for Playground TurfCritical fall height, HIC and g-max explained, CPSC guidance on fall heights, typical pad thickness ranges and how playground turf is tested in the lab and field.
- Playground Turf vs Mulch, Rubber Mulch, Poured Rubber, Sand and GravelA side-by-side comparison of six playground surfaces on fall protection, wheelchair access, maintenance, heat and cost, with clear rules for which to choose.
All playgrounds guides
Artificial Turf for Playgrounds, A Complete Guide
How turf-and-pad playground systems work, what makes a play surface safe, the standards that apply to homes and public sites, and honest pros and cons.
Critical Fall Height and Shock Pads for Playground Turf
Critical fall height, HIC and g-max explained, CPSC guidance on fall heights, typical pad thickness ranges and how playground turf is tested in the lab and field.
Playground Turf Cost, Upfront and Over Its Life
Installed costs for turf with a shock pad versus mulch, rubber mulch, tiles and poured-in-place rubber, plus a 15-year life cycle model for a typical play area.
Playground Turf vs Mulch, Rubber Mulch, Poured Rubber, Sand and Gravel
A side-by-side comparison of six playground surfaces on fall protection, wheelchair access, maintenance, heat and cost, with clear rules for which to choose.
How to Install Playground Turf Over a Shock Pad
Use zone layout, base and drainage, shock pad placement, turf seams, transitions, edge containment and the inspection steps that confirm a play surface is ready.