Fall Playground Maintenance Checklist: Keeping Play Spaces Safe and Ready for Winter
Keeping parks and playgrounds maintained is an important part of extending the longevity of both the space and equipment. Performing routine maintenance is a great way to make sure a playground remains safe to use and that no improvements or repairs are needed to keep it that way. While most municipalities perform maintenance on a regular basis, there are certain times throughout the year when diving a bit deeper into maintenance routines can be beneficial.
Fall is a great time to perform playground maintenance, as it allows you to scope out the space and equipment before the weather turns too cold and snow falls. It gives you the opportunity to tackle any repairs or upgrades during the cooler months when playgrounds are typically less busy and can help prepare the space for the harsher winter weather. Parkworks has put together a Fall Playground Maintenance Checklist that can act as a guide for you to follow when conducting your fall maintenance checks this year.
Why Fall Playground Maintenance Matters
While year-round maintenance is important when it comes to playgrounds, there are a few factors that feed into why the fall season is a great time to conduct playground maintenance.
Take these steps to help extend the lifespan of your playground investment and ensure that it will be safe and ready to use in the spring:
- Keep safety top of mind! Including fallen leaves and early frost that can cause slip hazards for kids playing on the playground.
- Fall is also a great time to perform any repairs that might be needed to protect the playground from weather damage caused by harsher winter conditions.
Fall Playground Maintenance Checklist
Ready to start conducting your fall maintenance, but not quite sure where to start? Here is a small checklist from Parkworks to help you get started:
- Inspect Playground Equipment – Walk through the playground and check for any rust, cracks, or loose hardware on any pieces of equipment. Check wear and tear on swings, slides, and all climbing structures and ensure that all moving parts are properly secured and lubricated.
- Surface and Ground Cover Care – Ensure that any fallen leaves and other debris is raked up and removed from playground surfacing. Fall is a great time to replenish or level playground surfacing such as Engineered Wood Fibre (EWF), pea gravel, or pour-in-place (PIP) rubber surfacing, and inspect the idea for any trip hazards.
- Clean and Sanitize – Take the time to remove any mold, mildew, or dirt that has built up throughout the summer, and wash and disinfect high-traffic areas such as slides, railings and seats throughout the playground.
- Shade, Seating, and Structures – Inspect and clean any benches, picnic tables, and other structures located throughout the park and playground, and be sure to remove and store features such as Shade Sails before any snow and ice has a chance to settle. This will help protect them from the elements and give them a longer lifespan.
- Prepare for Winter – If your park or playground features a splash pad, wading pools, water fountains, and irrigation lines, fall is a great time to drain them all and blow out the lines to avoid any water freezing in the pipes during the cold months. Here is a handy Splash Pad Winterization Guide from our splashy partners at Waterplay.
Tips for Creating a Year-Round Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance is something that should be tackled year-round, so building out a seasonal maintenance schedule is a great way to ensure that spaces are being looked after and will remain safe for use. Creating a maintenance log is a great way to keep track of what parks and playgrounds were inspected when and can help with both accountability, visibility, and safety compliance. Addressing concerns and repairs early on and partnering with professionals to do so can help extend the overall lifespan of your playground while ensuring that it remains in good condition and safe for endless hours of play.
Taking steps to properly maintain and protect park and playground equipment from both the elements as well as general wear and tear is crucial to extending the longevity of your space and proactively reducing potential costly repairs down the road. Working through a maintenance checklist, especially in the fall, helps ensure the safety of your space so kids and adults can continue to enjoy and have fun for years to come. Parkworks can support with things like CSA playground inspections, maintenance questions, and coordinating playground surfacing top-ups, and assisting with any parts that may need to be ordered from manufacturers.