Expert: Bob Meihaus - 2/7/2007

Question
Hello,

We are in the process of installing a playground for the kids.  We have been told that the best thing to put down on the floor of the playground is woodchips for safety (7 years old and 2 years old boys).  Is this a correct suggestion?  We also want to put up a sandbox, is there a particular type of sand we such have? Lastly, we want to enclose the area, since we are going to be digging up the grass in that area.  Please advise me as to what to place under the wood chips(if that is what you recommend for us to use) in order to avoid mold or any bacteria?  Do we need to put a perserver on the playground (it's wooden) or does it come pretreated?  

Thank you

Answer
Tina, actually I think " P" gravel, really small pebbles is probably your best, most affordable, ground-cover, the problems with "p" gravel are; it might not be available where you live, it requires a really good boarder to hold it in place and it will get in the kids shoes. The advantages are that it is cheap, lasts for a long time, drains well, much cleaner and has play value especially for young children with a truck and shovel. Wood-chips will also work but they stay damp, get kicked around , will have to be added too about every other year and will eventually decompose into dirt. If you use this type of ground-cover you should ask for " oak chips" not mulch. Best boarder would be built with 6x6 treated or oak ties, 2 high, with a 1x6 or 2x6 cap of recycled plastic wood. Probably no need to dig up grass, just cut real low and cover with landscape fabric to let water drain and keep weeds out ( although you will still get some weeds growing in the wood ground-cover itself) If you use " p" gravel around 9" deep the landscape fabric is probably not necessary. For the sand box just use clean river sand, nothing special, no pure white sand, to fine, kids can inhale, and unless you find you have an animal problem do not cover, the best thing for sand is fresh air, sunlight, and even rain. Do you ever see a cover on the sand at the beach? Stain-stain-stain or paint with a 2 coats of solid wood stain if want finish to last much longer, this is the only way to keep your wood structure in good condition and cut down on splinters, no matter what wood it is made with. Good Luck, Bob