Customising Your Playground:
What’s Possible and What’s Not?

Thematic Designs

Themes: You can choose specific themes (e.g., nature, space, nautical) that can be incorporated through the shapes, colours, and types of equipment.

Aesthetic Customisation: Customising the colour scheme and visual elements to align with a school’s colours or the local environment is usually feasible.

Inclusive and Accessible Features

Accessibility: Adding features like wheelchair-accessible paths, sensory play elements, and equipment suitable for various abilities is not only feasible but encouraged.

Adaptive Equipment: Incorporating adaptive swings, tactile panels, and low-height activities to cater to children with diverse needs.

Age-Appropriate Adjustments

Equipment for Different Age Groups: Designing separate areas for different age groups, with appropriate equipment for each, is a practical customisation.

Interactive Elements

Educational Features: Integrating educational elements, such as puzzle panels or nature discovery paths.

Interactive Play: Incorporating elements that encourage interactive play, like water features or musical instruments, can be done within safety guidelines.

Material Use

Safety-Compliant Materials: While there is room for material selection, they must be durable, non-toxic, and suitable for outdoor use. For instance, using untreated wood or certain metals might not be advisable due to safety and durability concerns.

Height and Safety Restrictions

Equipment Height: There are strict regulations regarding the height of equipment, especially for certain age groups, to minimise the risk of serious injuries.

Fall Zones: Alterations must not compromise the required fall zones around each piece of equipment.

Structural Alterations

Structural Integrity: Any customisations should not affect the structural integrity of the equipment. This includes avoiding sharp edges, entrapment spaces, or unstable designs.

Compliance with Standards

Adherence to Standards: All customisations must comply with the relevant safety standards (e.g., Australian Standards for Playground Safety). Deviating from these standards can lead to safety hazards and legal issues.

Budget Constraints

Cost Implications: More extensive customisations can significantly increase the cost of the project. Budget limitations may restrict the extent of customisation possible.

Consultation and Professional Advice

Expert Input: It’s advisable to consult with playground designers and safety experts when planning customisations. They can provide guidance on what’s feasible and compliant with safety regulations.

Community Involvement: Getting input from the community or the end-users can also help in making relevant and practical customisation decisions.