Alternative to grass in backyard play area ?

Sue
by Sue

We recently did our fence on our property which was quite costly and installed a playground for our grandchildren but our grass is in horrible condition being Florida it has burnt due to heat and some of it is now like sand which is dragged into house every time they come in .Would like some ideas on what we can do for a reasonable price a alternative to grass maybe something safe we can put something safe for children in case they fall


  6 answers
  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on May 01, 2020

    We put down a rubber mulch all around our playground area. It definitely is safer because it gives a little when they fall. We got bags of it from Home Depot or Lowes. Something to look into!

    • See 1 previous
    • K. Rupp K. Rupp on May 01, 2020

      I thought it was safe enough for my children. It depends how bouncy you want the playground to be for the kids. And yes free of bugs because it is made out of rubber. It just LOOKS like real mulch. You will need a lot of bags though....and the more bags you get, the safer it is with each added layer.

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 01, 2020

    Agree that trying to grow green lawn is a constant battle in the southern heat, besides being expensive and time consuming to water and maintain.


    Many public playgrounds and structures such as 'big toys' located on school grounds use fine gauge pea gravel as a base. The cost for having it delivered would be a one-time expense only, requires no maintenance, and should last for many years.




  • 17335038 17335038 on May 01, 2020

    Here is link to an article listing the advantages and disadvantages to different playground surface coverings.


    https://cehn.org/our-work/eco-healthy-child-care/ehcc-faqs/playground-surfaces/

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 01, 2020

    You can always go with artificial turf which would still be pretty and would be a soft surface for the grandchildren to play on.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 01, 2020

    Rubber mulch might be something that will work for this type of area.

  • Unfortunately nothing is going to be super inexpensive sorry to say. You could try a rubberized surface or there are artificial grasses that look like real lawn. Anything artificial is going to heat up like crazy so you’ll need to research a best option for your situation.