5 mistakes to avoid when designing a playground or sports area

Construction requirements must be anticipated, including access for delivery vehicles, unloading and storage facilities, and the possible presence of gates, fences, utility networks, existing structures or vegetation that needs to be preserved. Identifying these constraints early helps minimise difficulties during construction and allows the work schedule and organisation to be adapted where necessary.

However, the assessment should not stop at the construction phase. It must also consider the future operation of the facility: accessibility for users, pushchairs and people with reduced mobility; access for maintenance operations; circulation around the site; proximity to roads, car parks or bodies of water; sun exposure; and the availability of shade.

Where the surrounding environment presents a hazard, fencing that is itself safe for children can be installed to separate the area from potential dangers. Existing vegetation must also be checked: poisonous plants should be removed, thorny species should be avoided or isolated, and no protruding roots should remain within equipment safety zones.

Best practice: Assess the site as a whole, from construction constraints to everyday operation, before finalising the layout.

Visitor numbers depend heavily on the site’s context: the population it serves, proximity to a school, park, campsite or tourist attraction, local habits, opening hours and peak periods.

For a new facility, these factors help estimate the types of users likely to visit, expected visitor numbers and any potential disturbance to nearby residents. When redeveloping an existing facility, observing how the space is currently used also provides valuable insights into the busiest areas, most popular equipment and potential congestion points.

It is equally important to anticipate how different groups and activities will coexist: young children, teenagers, adults, people with disabilities and accompanying adults, as well as active play, sports activities, movement between equipment, rest periods and quieter areas.

If the layout is poorly planned, circulation routes may overlap, certain equipment may quickly become overcrowded, and different users may find it harder to share the space comfortably.

Best practice: Analyse the site’s context and expected visitor numbers. For redevelopment projects, use observations of existing activities to determine the appropriate size and layout of the space and accommodate different users and activities.

Age is a key consideration, as it determines the choice of equipment and its level of difficulty. The characteristics of the selected structures then determine fall heights, required safety zones and, more broadly, how the equipment should be positioned within the space.

Age also helps guide the choice of activities, from motor skills and discovery-based play for younger children to physical challenges, group games and fitness equipment for older users.

The selection of inclusive equipment must also be considered at this stage. It is not simply a matter of providing one accessible piece of play equipment, but of recognising different types of disabilities, varying levels of independence and the opportunity for everyone to participate fully in the activities on offer.

Finally, the equipment should be designed as a coherent whole: offering a variety of experiences, avoiding unnecessary duplication, balancing difficulty levels and positioning structures to maintain clear circulation routes and safety zones.

Each safety zone must be assessed individually for every piece of equipment. These areas must remain free from obstacles unrelated to the play activity, while hazardous zones around swings, roundabouts and moving equipment must be clearly identified.

Playground compliance depends not only on the equipment itself, but also on its positioning, safety distances, accessibility and the overall organisation of the space.

Best practice: Start by considering the intended users, their abilities and the activities they want to enjoy, then select a coherent, complementary combination of equipment suited to the project.

It is therefore essential to provide spaces where accompanying adults can remain nearby in comfortable conditions. This includes well-positioned seating, shaded areas, accessible pathways and spaces for resting or socialising.

These amenities should also provide clear sightlines to children and make supervision easier, without obstructing circulation routes or activities.

Such features help create a welcoming, sociable environment and encourage all visitors to feel comfortable using the space.

Best practice: Design the facility as a welcoming community space, taking into account the comfort, visibility and needs of those accompanying equipment users.

The choice of surfacing illustrates this principle particularly well. In fall zones, the surface must be selected according to the installed equipment, its fall height and the characteristics of the ground.

Depending on the solution, impact absorption performance, accessibility, permeability, ease of maintenance, durability and installation requirements can vary significantly.

A solution that appears cost-effective initially may require more maintenance or prove less suitable for the intended activities. The decision should therefore balance price, performance, accessibility, maintenance requirements and durability.

Our comparison of impact-absorbing surfaces explains the key differences between grass, synthetic surfaces, loose-fill materials and resilient surfacing across these criteria.

The same reasoning applies to equipment. Material quality, resistance to intensive use, ease of maintenance, spare parts availability and the ability to carry out repairs quickly all directly influence the overall project cost.

For public playgrounds in France, maintenance is not optional: Decree No. 96-1136 requires operators to establish and follow a site upkeep plan and an equipment maintenance plan.

Taking a long-term approach also means anticipating how the facility may evolve. Needs and habits can change, visitor numbers may fluctuate, and new user groups may emerge.

Planning from the outset for the possibility of replacing, adding or upgrading certain pieces of equipment helps ensure that the facility remains suitable and attractive over the years.

Best practice: Compare solutions based on their entire life cycle and anticipate how the playground or sports area may need to evolve over time.