Well-designed playgrounds provide a host of benefits for people of all ages, from inspiring physical challenges and movement to sensory stimulation, emotional and communicative development, problem-solving skill development and more. Kids on the playground engage their imaginations and their bodies as they push themselves to conquer new challenges. Savvy playground designers are well aware of all the latest science on play and development, but they also are continually innovating, developing new ways to play that accommodate a variety of children’s needs. Staying on top of the latest playground trends will help you make smart decisions when it’s time to build a new playground—or replace an outdated one.
Customized Designs
To create a truly one-of-a-kind play space, turn to experienced custom designers. Whether it’s a theme, like a mountaintop
adventure, a farmyard with a barn or a forest canopy, or they develop a more abstract design, customized playgrounds offer an experience that can be found nowhere else, creating a destination for families near and far.
Playground equipment can be customized in a variety of ways, mixing and matching diverse play experiences from swinging and spinning to climbing and sliding.
Talk to your play equipment manufacturer about the different customization options available. You can even work with them to create a relevant theme specific to your town or location. Inspiration can come from anywhere, including your town’s history or geography, local attractions like zoos and aquariums and more.
Preconfigured Designs
If you want to simplify the process of selecting your play equipment, consider one of the many preconfigured designs that are available. With a preconfigured playground design, experts take out the guesswork and create a playground that will be effective in any context.
Where space is limited, you can look for preconfigured playgrounds that are designed specifically to pack as much play value as possible into a smaller space. As an added bonus, you’ll save money on playground safety surfacing, as there will be less area to cover in your condensed footprint.
Preconfigured playground designs aren’t just for those with smaller spaces, though. You can find a vast array of preplanned play 
equipment that will fit into whatever space you have available, including larger areas.
If you still have space left over, a range of freestanding components can be added to further boost the play value of your space.
Take It Higher
Another recent trend that is especially appealing to older kids, keeping them challenged and engaged, is the development of commercial playground towers. Taking play to greater heights encourages kids to challenge themselves to reach the top and enjoy the view.
Playground equipment manufacturers have developed towers to keep kids safe while allowing them to get high up off the ground, increasing perceived risk while preventing the dangers of falling.
To create more play value, look for playgrounds that offer more than one way to get to the top, from climbing ladders to ropes, ramps and more. Multiple means of sliding back down will encourage kids to constantly change their path, creating even more ways to play.
Don’t Forget Sun Protection
The perils of sun exposure are increasingly well-known, driving more playgrounds to incorporate sun protection in one way or another. Research has shown that just a single blistering sunburn during childhood can nearly double a person’s risk of developing melanoma later in life. If your playground doesn’t include trees, consider incorporating shade elements into the playground design.
Not only will shade help protect kids from damaging exposure to UV rays, it also will help keep play equipment cooler, ensuring kids can play all day long.
For More Information
Landscape Structures Inc.:
888-438-6574
www.playlsi.com