Introduction to Designing and Building Your PlayMod Kit
Here are some sample playgrounds so you can see the design process.
Watch the
playground grow
on the slide show!
This is a simple straight line design with swings. Below is the footprint of this playground. It consists of 9 triangles, with roofs over 4 of the decks. This design varies from 5' high at the end, to 3' high in the middle, and back up to 5' high at the other end.
The decks could just as easily keep dropping down to 1' high (or even down to 6" by adding one more deck). There would less height for climbers or the second slide, but a family with young children might prefer that so the kids could access the set like climbing stairs. In that case, an additional element such as a
tic-tac-toe panel could be added.
This example illustrates several important design concepts.
You need to keep the area in front and behind the swings clear with no climbers, deck entrances, or slide exits in the way. Safety guidelines recommend a full 16' clear,mulched area both front and back. This is important for safety reasons - when the kids jump out of the swings (and they usually do!) they will land in the mulch, and not on one of their playmates!
The swing beam has to attach to a 3.5'- 4' or 4'- 4.5' deck intersection. This results in an 8' high swing beam. If you want a higher or shorter swing beam, ask us what other attachment points might work for you.
Here's another design with two variations.
This circle design spirals up from 18" high to 5'. It is very compact, and has lots of climbers at relatively low deck heights. This makes it quite suitable for young children.
Below is the footprint for this design. It shows the recommended mulched fall zone of 6' all around the playground.
Like all of the PlayMod System, this same
basic circular design can be configured
in many different ways. For
example, on the right is a
footprint for another
circle design. This one
includes a swing beam.
It also features
higher decks, ranging
from 2-1/2' to 6'.
There are many other
possible configurations.
We have drawn up numerous
different design configurations
that you can look at. You can use
any of them exactly as they are, or
change deck heights or climber styles, add
swings or monkey bars, or make it your own in many different ways.
CLICK HERE to see many more design ideas in footprint form.
We will help you design your very own custom kit. It can all be done via email and it only takes us a day to send you a variety of footprint options, based on what size, shape, activities and deck heights you have chosen. Or you can do it all yourself, and we will contact you if we see any conflicts in the design. And best of all, the more decks and roofs you buy the less each one costs!
All designs and design concepts are the property of Blue Rose Builders LLC dba Just For Fun Playgrounds (c) 2006-2010
