Just as your home fence keeps your children safe in the backyard, a school’s fence does the same task—times a couple thousand. A fence establishes ownership of property and helps control access which is vital for safety and accountability. All schools and childcare centers need fences, especially in areas where students are outdoors and at their most vulnerable. Schools should be safe places, and fences for school playgrounds and perimeters help keep students and staff safe from those who may have ended up on school grounds accidentally and from those that are potentially targeting the school specifically. Fences play a key role in school design because safety is the top concern for school staff, parents, and the entire community.
Best Materials
Like with all fences, the best material depends on your goal. A chain link fence is most often the choice of school districts because it’s the most economical which is due to the cost of materials, easier to install, and are typically used for very large areas like a playground. This fencing option allows for maximum visibility in areas where the activity of students and the general public will be monitored. A wooden privacy fence is a better choice if you want a private perimeter. A steel picket fence allows visibility without easy footholds for climbing and is the strongest type of fencing material. Daycare facilities may opt for a privacy fence, like wood or vinyl, or an aluminum fence since the perimeter they are needing to protect is much smaller and younger children may be more apt to climb. Whatever the material, the students’ protection should always be top priority.
Sports Needs
Fences around sports areas are vital to protect players, fans, and property. Plus, a fence drastically cuts down on the time spent chasing basketballs and tennis balls. This is especially important for younger students, who are more likely to follow a ball right into the street. A high fence around courts minimizes broken windows and other property damage, too.
Each sport has different requirements. For example, fencing for baseball fields is more regulated than fencing for basketball courts and requires a backstop behind home plate. Backstops are usually made of interconnected chain-link panels that rise 25 feet into the air. Tennis courts usually have a polyester or vinyl windscreen attached to the fence to prevent the wind from altering a ball’s trajectory.
A Friend to Schools
Discussing the importance of fence for the protection of folks, young and old alike, always pumps us up, reinvigorating our promise to professionally design and build the most effective and attractive fences possible for the people in our area. We will be glad to answer any questions and to help guide school personnel in choosing the best fence for our schools. Please give us a call at 800-221-6425!
