The project has been completed using our PIP (poured in place) Rubber Playground Safety Surfacing.  We are always happy to provide a safer environment for children to play and learn.  Our #1 Goal is Safety First!

#HopePark

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Hope Park Mooresville first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

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.

Click here to watch the video

7^th and final video on installing a playground for The Williams Center in Charlotte, Jon has done a wonderful job of filming and narrating this series.  We hope you enjoyed watching us install the safety surface and will check back later for more videos from Creative Playscapes.

We are wrapping up the PIP (Pour in Place) playground surfacing, with the last of the sandy bordering surface.  You can easily see the green EDPM surface around the climbing area of the playground and listen as Jon describes the Trike Path, to give the kids a walkway/roadway to guide them through the playground.  Jon designed a trellis into this project for the kids to play under and add additional shade.

This is the final day of the playground surface installation and completion of the project.  We appreciate The Williams Center in Charlotte allowing Jon to video this project for our website and You Tube channel.

We are already planning our next video series!

#RubberPlaygroundSurface

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 7 Completed Rubber Playground Surface first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Click here to watch the video

This is video #6 of the 7 video collections on the process of installing a playground for The Williams Center in Charlotte.  Jon is our videographer and narrator.  We hope you enjoy this particular video where the colored EDPM is being installed.  Click here to learn more about playground safety surfaces.

We are nearing completion of the PIP (Pour in Place) playground surfacing, with the “Blue Water” section of the playground complete; we are working on the “Sand Colored” areas.  When finished (next video) we will have the “Green Colored” surfacing in place, mimicking the grass and be finished with the playground surface.

Colored rubber safety surfacing uses:

• Provide a “Cushiony” top surface
• Add color
• Create a theme
• Add attractiveness to the playground

Jon mentioned a “Work-Around” in the previous video, in this next to last video, you can see how we installed the sleeves for the delayed playground equipment, we are ready to install upon arrival.  Staying productive is important to staying on schedule.

Again in this video, Jon refers to the good weather.  Late May in Charlotte typically gets a lot of summer storms which could hamper our production; this good weather actually has us ahead of schedule.

Stay tuned as we complete The Williams Center playground project in our next and last video of this trilogy.

#ColoredPlaygroundSurface

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 6 Sand Colored Rubber Surfacing first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Click here to watch the video

This is video #5 of the 7 video collections on the process of installing a playground for The Williams Center in Charlotte.  Jon is our videographer and narrator.  We hope you enjoy this particular video where the colored EDPM is being installed.  Click here to learn more about playground safety surfaces.

We top off the rubber safety surface with the EDPM (Ethylene-propylene rubbers & elastomers) colored surfacing.  This project incorporated “Hippos and Alligators” so we used a “Blue Water” colored safety surface to imitate the water these animals live in.  The “water theme” used for this Charlotte playground is an excellent example of how we use our safety surfaces for more than just protection.

Colored rubber safety surfacing has a plethora of uses:

• Add color
• Create a theme
• Add attractiveness to the playground

Jon talks about a delay, notice how we were able to continue working and not delay the project due to circumstances beyond our control.  Our goal is to always stay on schedule and on budget, this is an example of how we can do a “Work-Around” and stay productive.

Listen to Jon mention the weather in this video, it was late May when this video was shot.  Weather does have an effect on when and how we can apply the rubber safety surfacing, but this particular day was perfect early summer temperatures.

#ColoredPlaygroundSurface

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 5 Blue Water Colored Playground Surfacing first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Click here to watch the video

This is video 4 of the 7 video collections on the process of installing a playground for The Williams Center in Charlotte.  Jon is our videographer and narrator.  We hope you enjoy this particular video where we are beginning the installation of the rubber safety surface.  Click here to learn more about playground safety surfaces.

The base of the rubber safety surface is being installed; we use a 1 ½” amount of base to add a more protective level of safety.  Regulations vary, but we typically exceed the required amount of rubber base that is required for numerous reasons, mainly the safety of the kids.

Jon describes the install and mentions the Ethylene-propylene rubbers & elastomers (also called EPDM and EPM); this is state of the art playground surfacing.  EPDM is made of tiny rubber pellets, incorporated on the playground site with a urethane binder to form a playground surface that is “Pliable” or “Soft” in other words it’s very durable but cushiony too.  We also use this top surface to add the color and vibrancy to the playground.  A later video will reveal how Jon incorporated a “train-track” into the surface of this project.

We install EDPM Surfacing in a variety of depths, using a fall guide AKA compliance regulations based on the fall height requirements of the playground equipment we are installing.  Playground safety is a topic we feel strongly about, EPDM is the surface coverage we recommend.

#PlaygroundSafetySurface

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 4 EPDM Rubber Playground Surfacing first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Video 3 

This is video 3 of the 7 video collections on the process of installing a playground for The Williams Center in Charlotte.  Jon is our videographer and narrator.  We hope you enjoy this video series.  Click here to visit our website and view more playgrounds.

In an incredibly productive week, the Creative Playscapes installation team has The Williams Center in Charlotte’s playground equipment erected and tested for durability.  Numerous variables factor into the installation timeframe, especially the weather.  It was a very pleasant week in May, which allowed us to work full time without interruptions and install the Charlotte playground in one week.

We hope you are enjoying this series of the playground we are installing in Charlotte at The Williams Center; we appreciate their consent to record and publish this series.  Jon is enjoying the process and being out of the office and has commented to me many times how he is enjoying the wonderful weather and documenting our process.  We welcome your comments regarding this project or any questions about playground equipment or safety surfaces.

#CharlottePlayground

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 3 Playground Installed first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Video 2

Here we see that the playground equipment has been delivered to the Charlotte site and we are ready to begin installation in the next video.  All of our steel and aluminum playground equipment is powder coated with an environmentally safe (and child safe) coating, this coating not only adds colorful beauty to the playground equipment itself, it is a major deterrent for rust and a positive replacement for paint (especially the old lead based paint).

In the next video of this series, Jon will describe the playground as it has been installed and the arrival of the safety surface materials.

Click here to view more of our playstructures.

#CharlottePlayground

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 2 Playground Equipment first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

Video 1

This is video 1 of a series of 7 where we developed the playground site, installed the new playground equipment and finished with the rubber surfacing.  Jon is our videographer and narrator.  We hope you enjoy this video series.

Jon describes the layout of the playground, including trike paths, slides and shade structures.  He also included trees to be planted that will provide natural shade in the years to come.  One aspect we/Jon prefer to include is natural foliage, vegetation and shade.  In this project, Jon added several trees to accent the already existing trees (which Jon will describe in a later video) on site.

#CharlottePlayground

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Charlotte Playground Project – Video 1 Playground Base System first appeared on Creative Playscapes.

We were fortunate to be involved with the Hope Park “splash pad” estimates and interviews with the administrators of the park.  Their concerns are very valid and we are proud to be awarded the resurfacing project.  We will post more information on the project as it develops.

Here is a copy of the article written by Jessica Osborne with the Mooresville Tribune.  You can also view it on their webpage at: http://www.mooresvilletribune.com/news/town-looks-to-lessen-danger-at-hope-park-s-splash/article_d2201eae-1757-11e4-a8a3-001a4bcf6878.html

Town looks to lessen danger at Hope Park’s ‘splash pad’

By Jessica Osborne/Mooresville Tribune

After receiving several complaints from parents about safety issues at the “splash pad” at Hope Park, town officials are looking at ways to negate the problems.

Daniel Stines, parks and recreation supervisor for the town’s Cultural and Recreation Services department — which oversees the town-owned park next to Lowe’s YMCA — said the safety issues had been brought to the town’s attention more this summer than in the past.

One concerned parent also contacted the Tribune after his son fell at the park while playing in the splash pad/water play area, a circular area with smooth concrete around several water sprayers. He said the painted surface becomes very slick when wet.

While he said his son was okay, the man noted that several other children slipped and fell that day as well, one of whom he said was unconscious for several seconds after taking a “horrible hit.”

The parent called the Lowe’s YMCA about shutting the water off, but was informed that the park is managed by the Town of Mooresville, and added that there seemed to be confusion about who presides over the upkeep of the park.

While the park was built on property owned by the Lowe’s YMCA, it was later turned over to the town. Stines said the park is at least five years old and that the spray park opened in 2011.

Hope Park Facebook page contains comments from people who had written about the safety issues as far back as 2011. While the most recent comment was made a month ago, the page does not appear to have been kept up since June of 2013. The last post left by the page’s administrator notes that the Public Works’ Building and Grounds Departments is responsible for the upkeep of the park and provided a phone number for page visitors to contact for inquiries or to report any issues.

Stines said his department has been working with the town’s Building and Grounds Department on a cleaning schedule for the splash pad, and instead of workers coming out every two weeks to clean it, Stine said they have upped that cleaning schedule to once a week.

“They use a bio-friendly chemical to clean with,” he said. “It’s an algaecide cleanser that gets the (slippery) film off.”

Stines said they are also looking at resurfacing the splash pad, as well as posting signage warning people about the slippery surface and not to run in the area.

“If we can get a bid from a company for coatings and possibly a rubber topping hopefully we can put something down that is non-slip, rather than just painted concrete,” he said. “I’ve been out to look at it, and it appears that it did have a sandy texture coating that just wore down over the years.”

Stines encourages parents to have their children wear water shoes with a sole, rather than being barefoot — not just for slip purposes, but for hygiene, too.

“It’s a double-edged sword really,” he said. “We don’t want to have to shut it down, especially during peak season time to do cleaning, but we want to make sure that that it’s a safe environment for children to play in. So far we’ve not heard of anything serious above a bruise. But we are becoming more proactive in cleaning, and we’re looking at getting signage and a fresh surface put on it.”

Stines said there is no current signage in place at the splash pad other than the hours for when the park is open.

“We’re working on what those general rules will look like, and will put spot signage up around the pad,” he said. “We’re also working with the town attorney on the wording of the signs and anything else deemed necessary to be posted.”

Stines said he hoped the spot signage will be in place sometime this week.

#HopeParkMooresville

Safety Starts w/ Stability!

Kurt Karriker
704-589-7455
Creative Playscapes

The post Hope Park in Mooresville first appeared on Creative Playscapes.