Play Sets: Enjoy a Park in Your Yard

something that’s going to blend into the community,” Gray says. In fact, CedarWorks Playsets in Rockport, Me., developed its Serendipity line in response to customers seeking play sets that evoked artisan-designed furniture, says Jack Tripp, CedarWorks’ vice president of marketing and sales. California Redwood and Northern White Cedar are two of the top wood choices because they naturally resist both insects and decay and don’t require treatment with chemicals; Northern White Cedar is also splinter-free. The Serendipity 7 from CedarWorks. All CedarWorks Swing Sets are modular, so you can customize to the size and activities you need. Photo credit: Sean Carnell. Slide into the Basics A basic play set includes a slide and swing. Many companies, individual builders and kits offer modular designs you can add to later. “They’re big, modular Tinkertoys®,” Tripp says. After the slide and swing, the next most popular components are climbers: monkey bars, rock walls or both. Other popular add-ons include gliders, tire swings, ramps, fire poles, steering wheels and picnic tables. “Not only does adding on make the set fresh and interesting, but it breaks down the cost and keeps it age appropriate,” Gray says. If you’re building your play set, plan on at least a weekend, probably two. Check the kit to see what’s included. “You may think you’re getting a set for $250, but then it doesn’t include the wood or the slide,” Corner says. He strongly recommends a miter saw, which gives “good straight cuts,” for do-it-yourselfers, even if you have to rent one. For Safety's Sake Safety doesn’t stop with the protective surface. ASTM standards stipulate that ladder rungs and any openings should be either less than 3½ inches or more than nine inches so a child won’t get stuck and choke. “It’s more difficult for young children to negotiate, but better a Band-Aid® and a boo-boo than a tragedy,” Gray says. Prevent children from wearing sports helmets on play sets. Since a helmet is bigger than the child’s head, Hendy says, a youngster wearing a helmet could get stuck in an opening he’s passed through many times without the helmet. Other choke hazards are ropes, pet leashes and chains. Don’t allow children to play with them on the set. To prevent falls, make sure you have a guard rail for elevated spaces 30 inches above the ground and a protective barrier on elevated surfaces more than four feet high. Take Care Proper maintenance is critical for safety, appearance and durability. The most important task is to tighten the bolts twice a year because wood shrinks and swells with changes in humidity. “Look at Easter and back-to-school time,” Gray suggests. Depending on the wood, you’ll also need to reseal and/or restain the set every few years. “With California Redwood, that’s primarily a cosmetic decision,” he says. With other woods, restaining and resealing is important to preserve the wood. With proper planning and maintenance, you’ll be able to pass your set on to the neighbor’s children in 15 years or save it for your grandchildren for generations of enjoyment.

...Continued - Page 2 of 2 ( 1 2 )
< Previous Page