Click here to watch the video

We are at Clemson United Methodist Church in Clemson South Carolina installing our PIP poured in place playground safety surfacing.  This playground will have approximately 5000 square feet of rubber safety surfacing installed.  Click here to learn more about PIP

In this video, Kurt is describing the top layer of the playground surface, which is approximately 2 inches deep.  This top layer is poured over the base layer which is a cushiony rubber surfacing, which was installed at 4 inches deep for a total of 6 inches of rubber playground safety surfacing.  At 6 inches, this fall protection exceeds the required depth, but we prefer added safety precaution on our surfacing projects, especially for playgrounds designed for smaller children.

This particular playground was designed for younger children in the age group of about 2 or 3 years old.  The playground equipment was specifically designed lower to the ground for easy access and as a safety precaution for falls.  All aspects of safety and functionality are considered when we design a playground and recommend the equipment.  Height is a major variable for younger children playgrounds.

Also in Kurt’s video you will notice the existing playground equipment which we have relocated, along with adding the safety surfacing.  This enabled us to expand the playground and add new equipment including a large canopy shade structure.  This shade structure is approximately 20 feet by 30 feet, which provides a large amount of shade throughout the day.  This will be more appreciated in the summer months, but has advantages throughout the year.

We appreciate Clemson United Methodist Church for allowing us to document this project for our YouTube channel, website and portfolio.

#CommercialPlaygroundClemson

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post PIP Poured In Place Playground Safety Surfacing at Clemson UMC first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Kids get bored so easy, it’s difficult to keep them entertained when the video games, cell phones and televisions are turned off.  Here are a few things Jon’s family and my family do to have summer fun together.

1. Dog Park – playing with Fido is always lots of fun for the dog and the family (especially the kids).  Visit a local dog park with your canine friend and take his favorite toys along.
2. Camp Fire – building a small fire in a fire pit is lots of fun for kids.  Add some hot dogs, marshmallows and let the fun begin.  Jon is great at telling stories around the camp.
3. Gardening – a small garden cultivated and grown by your children will teach them a lot about nature AND they will be more inclined to eat the vegetable they grow.  A flower garden is another great way to spend time with your kids.  Large pots will suffice for those with limited space.
4. Grill Out – kids love hot dogs from the grill (Jon and I prefer a steak) so light the grill and invite your kid’s friends over.
5. Picnic – visiting a park with a lake, creek or stream that allows a picnic is fantastic fun for the kids.  Simple sandwiches, a few sodas and chips and you have an afternoon your kids will be begging for again and again.
6. Biking – all kids love their bicycle, make it a family outing!  There are lots of family friendly biking paths in the Charlotte area.
7. Baseball Game – the Charlotte Knights and Kannapolis Intimidators have wonderful facilities with lots of kid activities.  If you child gets a foul ball, he will cherish it for life!
8. Playgrounds – there are a plethora of public playgrounds to enjoy.  Take a few hours with your family one afternoon and visit a park.

#PlaygroundEquipmentCharlotte

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Summer Fun for Kids first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Get outside and enjoy some play time with your kids and enjoy this 4^th of July.  Be safe and have fun!

Happy Independence Day from Jon & I at Creative Playscapes.

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Happy 4th of July first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

 

In the past twenty years, childhood obesity rates have did more than double and that’s not the only problem that has increased.  Pediatricians are handing out more antidepressants to children now than ever before by a pretty steep increase and the U.S.A. has become the largest consumer of ADHD medications across the globe.  It’s really stressful on our kids to be so out of shape and cooped up.  With the weather nice and warm, it’s the perfect time to get them out there playing and being active and social with other kids.

Play is not just “play”.  Kids are out having fun and enjoying their time while they are developing a lot of skills that will allow them to handle the real world as they grow older easier and they are exercising without even knowing it.  The importance of play can’t be emphasized enough.

Along with how important play is, it is also important to make sure your kids are playing in a safe environment.  Always check play equipment and make sure nothing is loose or able to become a hazard to a child.  Here at Creative Playscapes, we make the safety of the children our number one priority.  We create an environment where kids can play, learn, and grow into healthy, well rounded individuals without parents and caregivers having to worry about what they are playing on.  When it comes to kids, you can never be too safe and we have strict guidelines and restrictions to help make sure nothing is overlooked.

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Getting Healthy first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

The chill of winter is receding and the warmth of spring is quickly approaching, soon our kids will be out for summer vacation and we all know what that means: PlayStation, Smart phones, TV and a whole mess of technology will consume our kid’s time.  So, how do we as parents give our kids a cell phone for their safety without sacrificing their urge for other healthy activity?

Back in the day, when I slammed the door too many times, my mother would yell across the house “It’s either in or out!”  Shortly after hearing that, I would shoot across the living room and dash out the door.  Now days, kids will almost certainly choose to stay inside.  How do we reverse this unhealthy trend?  We must enact the oldest tool in the parenting handbook, Trick Psychology!

“Kids it’s time to go have some fun! “ Secretly, all parents know Playgrounds are a place where kids can exercise and stay fit while having fun outside with their friends; meanwhile, parents get some much-needed relaxation time outdoors.

At Creative Playscapes we have even adopted the phrase “It’s not JUST a playground!”  We are keeping the tradition of the playground alive, be designing and developing some of the safest and most effective playground structures in North Carolina, Georgia and all states in-between. We even specialize in creating Shade & Fitness structures to keep Mom’s day at the park as pleasant and worry free as possible.

Our primary focus is on safety first, fun second.  We work with schools, churches, child care facilities, community centers, public parks and shopping malls to provide fun times for kids.

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Out to the Playground first appeared on Creative Playscapes.