A perimeter fence is an extremely important piece of any playground. If you’re building a playground at your school or church, you might be shopping around right now for the best type of fence to go around it. Or maybe your playground is already built and doesn’t have a fence. You’re probably wondering, “Should I install a fence? Do I really need one? What are the benefits of having one?” In both cases, this post is for you!
The primary reason for a playground fence is safety. If your playground is in an area where there is any vehicle traffic, you’ll definitely need a fence that can keep the kids safe from passing cars. For this reason, you’re going to want a fencing material that’s strong and durable. It can be easy for kids to slip out of metal fences that have large gaps between the bars, so that type might not be the best choice. Chain link fence is popular because it allows parents, guardians, or sitters to keep an eye on kids from outside the playground, but keep in mind that this fence can have sharp edges, so kids shouldn’t play on it.
Unfortunately, fences are also sometimes necessary to keep kids safe from strangers. If this is your main goal, rather than a see-through fence like chain link, you should go with a wood or vinyl fence, which will block the view of the playground from the outside. This is an option used most often by parents building private playgrounds at their own homes rather than public ones like at a church. Just keep in mind that if you go this route, there will need to be an adult supervising the inside of the playground at all times to make sure the kids are playing safely.
When you’re installing your fence, depending on what kind of playground equipment you have, it might also be necessary to put in a lockable gate. Slides, swings, jungle gyms, and other tall toys can pose a hazard to children who try to play on them unsupervised. And if you have some toys that could be easily swiped from the grounds by passerby, it might be best to lock it up tight. Fortunately you can purchase a gate for any type of fencing, and secure padlocks are available at a very affordable price.
Putting in a fence around your playground will give you peace of mind by making sure your kids are safe any time they want to play. Visit Central Fence for a pricing estimate, and we’ll help you pick out the perfect fence for you.
