Q: What is the ideal mix of products to furnish a playground area in an apartment complex?
A: National Church Residences furnishes playground equipment at most of our family communities. As a general rule, we target younger children (ages 2 to 5) because they tend to make the most use of the equipment. Typical equipment includes teeter-totters, slides, climbing stations, and coiled “rocker” seats. If extra funds are available, NCR recommends basketball courts and learning centers for older children. We also recommend benches, as they encourage parents to socialize with each other, while allowing them to keep watch over their children. Surveillance cameras are also a good idea, with the objective of discouraging predators and safeguarding children.
For obvious safety reasons, NCR has found that it’s best to stay away from equipment with sharp edges, and we recommend that all equipment be as maintenance-free as possible, so that maintenance staff can devote due time to actual unit and landscaping concerns.
– Patrick Higgins is the director of communications for National Church Residences, a nonprofit affordable housing developer in Columbus, Ohio.
– To participate in future Q&As, contact Rachel Z. Azoff at razoff@hanleywood.com.