Documentation Focalization: How Playground Inspection Records Bolster Credibility

This is your biweekly dose of playground knowledge from someone who's spent 20 years inspecting them.

This time around, we’ll be talking about the importance of digitizing your playground inspection records.

I’ll also spotlight a newly-installed playground in southern Indiana that brought an entire neighborhood together.

All that and more lies ahead in The Playground Post.

While paper records have had their utility for decades, it’s become increasingly popular for organizations to digitize their important documentation to create a more permanent record of them. For playground managers, keeping inspection and accident records digitized is crucial, especially in the event of a lawsuit or inquiry regarding the safety of one’s playground.

With digital records, you gain readily-available proof that your playground has been serviced and inspected on specific dates, in accordance with best practices as well as state and local regulations.

Think of your records like a receipt. Much like you’d need one when trying to return a TV or a computer to the store, without digital records, you won’t be able to prove that any action was taken to keep your playground safe.

I’ve known some playground owners who keep their inspection records on a Word doc or an Excel spreadsheet, which is certainly better than nothing. But the best way to ensure that your records remain readily-available is to store them online, and this is exactly what I had in mind when building PLAYSafe Inspect.

I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from readers recently about PLAYSafe Inspect, and I’m excited to share it once again with Playground Post readers. Click here and start tracking playground safety for free:

As the weather starts cooling down in most of the country and playground traffic becomes more sparse, many playground owners will lose sight of the potential issues that could (and often do) crop up during the winter months. Along with the obvious implications of excess snowfall, some will overlook the impact of extreme cold temperatures on the anchors that hold galvanized steel posts in place.

For instance, if your swing set is anchored with concrete, it’s crucial to ensure that there are no cracks that would jeopardize the structural integrity of the posts. Additionally, while sub-zero temperatures don’t typically impact the posts themselves, upward soil pressure could cause posts to become unbalanced, which will need to be addressed before the equipment is safely usable.

So, as we enter the winter season, pay attention to your posts. Catching early structural imbalances helps ensure your space is safe year-round.

Nestled in the heart of south central Indiana, about 40 miles south of the state capital of Indianapolis, is the city of Columbus, a thriving Midwestern locale known for its contemporary architecture. Boasting a population of around 50,000, Columbus has been growing at a consistent tick over the past decade, prompting construction of new homes and housing developments to accommodate new residents.

Shadow Creek Farms is one such neighborhood, and last month, kids and their families gathered to celebrate the grand opening of their new playground. Featuring two play structures, a three-bay swing set, a wave slide, and outdoor fitness equipment, this playground project had something for everyone.

Seeing the community come together around their new shared space was a special occasion. And the fact that this playground had amenities for both kids and adults really sets it apart from playgrounds of comparable size. With the neighborhood pool just a few steps away, families will be able to swim, play, and socialize, all within walking distance of their homes.

This is exactly the sort of install that I love. Bringing activity and fun so close to people’s homes never gets old, and the Shadow Creek Farms HOA did a great job getting their residents excited for their new playground. With a nice blend of activities for all ages, Shadow Creek Farms residents will get to enjoy this special space for years to come.

If you’re looking to purchase a playground, ask yourself:

These are the sorts of questions that sometimes prove necessary to make playground plans come to life.

If you have any questions on how to get your playground to the finish line, reply to this email and I’ll give you my take.

A playground is a big purchase, and when it comes to completing a project, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.

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Talk soon,

Nic Breedlove

Certified Playground Safety Inspector

20 years in the game. Still learning.