Question
Hi Marc,
The situation is the outdoor kids play area is being redone with a new swing and jungle gym.
The thought was to put down wood chips, but it's been said that it would attract ants and spiders and soon they would be in the house.

So we thought play sand.  But were told that it would attract the cats in the neighborhood and they would use it like a litter box.

Other than grass, do you have any ideas as to what material to use that would be safe for the kids and make the yard look good?
Thank you,
Randy


Answer
Commercially, we use three or four different products.  There are recycled materials manufactured for play areas that are available in some areas, and since we are near the California market (about 150 miles away), the options open to us here are generally greater than, say, a rural setting.  There are shredded rubber products that are chemically dyed to any color we want, or rubber tiles that fit together like puzzle pieces.  Then, there are wood fiber products that are impregnated with chemicals that resist rotting and decay. They are usually available through the local bulk-landscape materials yard.

If it is just a backyard sort of installation, and price is not that much of a concern, the top-of-the-line product is a plastic mixed with a polymer that solidifies and gives you the recommended fall-protection.  If your area sees lots of rainfall, then, yes, bark mulch can cause maintenance headaches.  Consider a thick layer of pea grave.  Cats don't like it, and its tough to track through the house.  On our farm in Virginia, I actually used all the raked leaves from the fall, as the kids already loved to play in them.  Of course, they rot away so you have to keep adding them thoughout the year.   I don't care for sand, which in my opinion is the second-poorest choice due because of shoes filled with it coming back into the house, and also slip-fall issues if there is any hard surface nearby.  The worst surface would be bare dirt or turf?I suppose concrete would actually be the WORST, but I don't think you'd even considered that option!)     

I don't know if fire ants like bark mulch, as I have never installed a play structure in areas that are susceptible to that type of blight.

For some other ideas, you might want to check out these commercial websites:

http://www.playsafesurfacing.com/
http://www.rainbowplay.co.uk/surface.asp

There are LOTS of copious reports by the government and professional societies recommending this or that for various reasons, but for backyard applications, its really up to the home-owner to use common sense and avoid obvious hazardous conditions or to provide accommodations for special-needs (wheelchairs, limited mobility, etc.), and not go crazy over-analyzing things?br>
Also, whatever bulk material (not the rubber mats) you put down, make sure its at least a foot thick.  You'd be surprised how it all mashes down over time.

Edging this play area can be accomplished using all sorts of things.  And that's another topic altogether.

Hope this helps.