Ground For Small Play Structure?

[TwinKristi]

Any CA providers (or anyone I suppose) know what kind of ground covering is approved for small play structures? I attached a picture. It's not more than 3ft off the ground but at standing height a child could be 5-6' off the ground. I have a covered patio with Treks for the deck and then cement for the rest in our gated play area. I wouldn't want to risk the cement because I know that's an accident waiting to happen, but would the treks work? Or like a thicker workout quality foam flooring squares (not the colorful ones) perhaps? I would really like this to be available for play. Otherwise it's the front yard with grass but I would have to move it often and it's currently in the off-limits area of my backyard outside the gate!

[TwinKristi]

Is this thick enough? 9/16"?

eWonderWorld 24" X 24" X~9/16" Extra Thick Rainbow Play Mats (Set of 4)

http://amzn.com/B003TU83SE

[TwinKristi]

No one????:confused:

[Blackcat31]

No one????:confused:

Sorry...... you all (California providers) have weird rules about stuff ::

In my state we don't have rules or regulations about what we can or can't have under play structures.

I've used sand, mulch, grass and now it's just dirt.

I'm sure there are some Cali gals that will know the answer.

[TwinKristi]

I've read that it has to meet safety impact standards or something which include a certain thickness padding, grass, mulch, etc. The mats claim they meet childhood safety standards but I didn't know for sure. I would love to move it up on my deck!!

[Annalee]

Sorry...... you all (California providers) have weird rules about stuff ::

In my state we don't have rules or regulations about what we can or can't have under play structures.

I've used sand, mulch, grass and now it's just dirt.

I'm sure there are some Cali gals that will know the answer.

In TN, we have to have 6 inches of resilliance (pea gravel, mulch, sawdust, etc.) under any climbers that are over 12 inches. Grass is not acceptable. If they measure 5 places and all are 6 inches but one place, we still get discounted! QRIS strikes again!

[Naptime yet?]

There was I think a thread about this somewhere because I remember reading that someone had used mats that are used in horse stalls. They're not crazy expensive, can be found at the Tractor Supply Store (if there's one nearby) and they seemed to be sturdy & kind of thick. Maybe those?

[Blackcat31]

There was I think a thread about this somewhere because I remember reading that someone had used mats that are used in horse stalls. They're not crazy expensive, can be found at the Tractor Supply Store (if there's one nearby) and they seemed to be sturdy & kind of thick. Maybe those?

Here are a few other threads. I think I posted a couple more within this link.

Maybe one of them has an answer for you.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62399&highlight=ground+cover

[KSDC]

If it were me, I'd email the lady who does my annual inspections to find out what she would accept.

[BrooklynM]

You are in luck! I had this exact same climber that I bought from a provider that went out of business. It was still in pieces when I had my inspection and I asked my inspector what needed to go under it. I was also hoping to go the foam mat route, but he pulled up the product ground covering specifications for that climber and it stated either 6 or 8 inches of covering (pea gravel, bark, etc). And it had to be like 6 feet all the way around the climber. It was too expensive for me to consider so I sold the climber to a neighbor.

[TwinKristi]

Well there's 2 issues there... I don't have anyone assigned to my area so most providers haven't had a drop-in visit in over 4yrs. Most of the visits around here are scheduled for initial licensing, complaints or to upgrade from small to large daycares. I thought about emailing the guy who came out but I don't want to draw any attention to myself honestly. I'm going to call my pre-licensing inspector from the R&R program and see what she says. She was a provider for many yrs as well :-)

[TwinKristi]

You are in luck! I had this exact same climber that I bought from a provider that went out of business. It was still in pieces when I had my inspection and I asked my inspector what needed to go under it. I was also hoping to go the foam mat route, but he pulled up the product ground covering specifications for that climber and it stated either 6 or 8 inches of covering (pea gravel, bark, etc). And it had to be like 6 feet all the way around the climber. It was too expensive for me to consider so I sold the climber to a neighbor.

Blah! I would like to keep it for my son and keep it in an off limits area or bring it on the deck on weekends or something. We've considered turning the cement area into a framed filled play area. Maybe that will be my grant wish for next grant period. Le sigh. Thank you for CA info!!