Installing Your Backyard Playground

At Swingset Warehouse, we offer playground installation services. We have put together the basic steps for anyone to follow to make sure that installing your backyard playground in a breeze, but you can always ask us specific questions about your yard.

First, you want to pick the right location for your swingset. Swingsets need to be located on flat ground with plenty of clearance on all sides. Remember that kids are going to run around the playset, so you want to ensure you have clearance, even beyond the swings. You want the playground away from the street, in a fenced area if you have it, to keep kids contained. Ideally, you will be able to put the swingset in a visible spot, where you can easily check on kids from inside the house.

Some general rules about location are:

• Make sure you have at least four feet of clearance on all sides.
• Look up- make sure you have enough clearance from overhead obstacles. Roof overhangs, tree limbs, and powerlines can be dangerous to kids. Keep in mind that if you are building a playground near shade trees, you will have to check for tree limbs every season.
• Choose shade or orient the swingset in a north-facing direction if possible. Direct sunlight can make the playground hot!

Once you know the location, it is time to pick the swingset. Many people do this backwards but can end up with a playground that is too big for their backyard. Once you know how big your space is, you can pick the right swingset. You can choose a kit set or customize one for your kids’ needs. You can also choose from a variety of different materials. We are happy to help you pick the right one for your space. Keep in mind that your kids are going to grow. If you want a playground that grows with your kids, make sure the decks are at least 5 feet tall.

Getting the ground ready is fairly easy. First, you want to measure out the space. Remove any hazards from the area. Then, get ready to level.

• Mark the perimeter of the area. You can use wooden stakes and string to outline your installation area.
• Use a carpenter’s level to determine if the area is level. Normal installs are within 3 inches off and included in our installation price. If the ground of off more than that but less than 12 inches you will be charged for extra digging.
• You may see people place their playgrounds directly onto their lawns. This is perfectly safe and we offer Level Dry systems to lift it off the grass just enough to help with landscaping. We also offer Rubbermulch and it is recommended that you use 3 inches for playgrounds with residential heights. If you do wood mulch then 6 inches is recommended. Ground will always be laid down after the play set is installed.

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