Keeping a grassy play area green and soft

Many play areas sit on grass, from school fields to a swing in the back garden. RoSPA calls grass a popular surface on children's playgrounds.

These notes are for schools, nurseries, parish councils and parents who want grass to stay good under play equipment. They draw on guidance from RoSPA's play safety team and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Play that lets children stretch themselves

HSE and the Play Safety Forum agree that play is great for children's well-being and development. Their joint statement says the goal is not to remove all risk. It is to weigh up the risks and the benefits, and to control the real risks.

Falls from one level to another are the most common cause of playground injury. A good surface under equipment is one way to make those falls gentler.

Why grass works well

RoSPA says grass is a natural material with strong developmental value for children. It suggests mixing in wild flower seeds and mowing less often, which also helps the soil hold moisture.

The playground equipment standard, EN 1176-1:2017, says well-kept grass over at least 150mm of subsoil can suit falls of up to 1500mm, subject to a risk assessment. RoSPA's own tests found that grass in the UK gives satisfactory cushioning for most of the year. It can harden in dry spells or freezing weather.

Where grass needs a helping hand

Grass does not stand up to heavy, repeated wear. Once wear exposes the soil, it cushions falls less well. RoSPA notes that grass reinforcement materials can help reduce rutting where the grass gets scuffed.

For new equipment under 600mm high, RoSPA says the surface need not be a full protective one, though it should give some cushioning. It adds that grass reinforcement materials can be used there.

Choosing a surface for taller equipment

RoSPA's view is that grass suits equipment where falls of less than 1500mm are possible. For taller equipment, RoSPA groups the other protective surfaces into loose fill, such as bark, wood chips, sand or pea gravel, and synthetic surfaces, such as tiles, wet-pour and layered carpet.

BS EN 1177 sets out how surfacing is tested for impact. One of its tests finds the critical fall height, which shows the range of heights a surface suits. RoSPA suggests asking suppliers for written assurance and test certificates showing their product meets BS 7188 and EN 1177.

Looking after it

RoSPA recommends routine checks of a playground at least weekly, plus a yearly inspection by an independent specialist. Inspections should cover the surfacing as well as the equipment.

For play equipment at home, RoSPA suggests checking that the instructions say what surface it should stand on.

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