Hello everyone and I hope you’re enjoying this playground seaming series.

I am often asked what turf products I recommend for sports, playgrounds, and high-volume activity areas.

And I ask the question in return.
How many square feet is the surface?
How many people are on the surface at any given time?
What are the ages and average weights of the persons using the surface?
How many hours are they using the surface at any given time?
How many times a day, week, month, and year are they using the surface?
And last… how often is the surface maintained?

Is it being maintained after each use? These questions need to be asked before any playground surface is constructed.

Calculating foot traffic for playgrounds is crucial for their longevity. Foot traffic refers to the number of individuals entering and moving within the playground’s physical space. It is an important metric for understanding how playgrounds are used. By analyzing foot traffic, we can gain valuable insights into the behavior of playground surfaces which can help us develop more effective strategies and improve overall user experience.

In my last vlog, I discussed the significance of pre-planning synthetic turf seams in playground installations. The team must know where to position or conceal the seam lines, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic and the locations of poles. To avoid seam separation, I recommend steering clear of placing seams in high-traffic areas. By adjusting the layout, we can effectively keep seams out of these zones to ensure a successful installation.

If it is absolutely necessary to position seams in such areas. In that case, I recommend using quality seaming tape and adhesive to bond the sections together and/or using “Friction mats” in high-traffic areas.

What are “Friction mats”? Well, playgrounds take a beating, especially in high-traffic areas. To reduce this wear, I recommend using nylon-fibered material for what I call “friction mats.” These mats should be placed in strategic locations, such as under swing sets, at the exits of slides, and in other areas with heavy foot traffic is visible. Nylon is more durable than most polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) fibers, which will help extend the surface’s lifespan. If you use nylon friction mats in high-traffic areas, ensure your entire system is laboratory tested.

I hope you are enjoying this series on Seaming Playgrounds. Join me next time when I discuss “Seam Compression” in playgrounds and its pivotal role in the longevity of the playground system. UNTIL NEXT TIME….JW OUT!!!!!