How to reduce playground vandalism

Offensive graffiti. Plastic slides set on fire. Whole playgrounds burned to the ground. Playground vandalism is unsightly, dangerous and costly. But it’s a reality.

A principal from Delta, B.C. recently reported in The Province that her school’s playground had been struck by vandals three times in one month causing serious damage, disruption for the children who use the structure and costly repairs. In one case, the plastic slide was burned right down. At another school, vandals set fire to a plastic play structure, completely destroying it.

“A broken playground is an unsafe play-

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Option 8 | Extension 6278 ground,” says Verna Scott with Blue Imp.

Scott, who has more than 30 years of experience in the playground industry, adds that vandalism is not only dangerous but very costly to school districts.

Can anything be done to prevent it?

“Absolutely,” says Scott. “There are several precautions that schools and communities can take to help prevent and reduce incidents of vandalism.”

Scott cites playground design as well as choice of materials and location as key factors in helping prevent vandalism in the first

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Location Matters

One of the first factors to consider in discouraging playground vandalism is location.

“Try to choose a site that is well lit and easily visible from neighbouring homes,” explains Scott.

Unwanted activity may be prevented by the very fact that potential vandals may fear being seen.

Of course, location alone will not be enough to deter all vandals. That’s where design and materials come in.

Playground Design Deters Graffiti

Since taggers prefer solid surfaces on which to make their mark, one way to discourage them is to reduce the use of such components in the playground design.

For example, says Scott, climbers made of steel rungs are much less likely to be tagged than climbers made of solid plastic. Similarly, vertical steel rails are not nearly as attractive to taggers as are solid plastic panels.

Another bonus: steel rail fences are much more transparent than plastic panels, which

eases playground supervision and discourages loitering.

“Because steel rails are more see-through, it is easier for supervisors to ensure children are playing safely,” states Scott.

Steel Components Deter Arson

When it comes to arson, the best deterrent is to reduce the number of plastic components such as slides or crawl tubes. In fact, says Scott, some school districts and municipalities have banned plastic slides for exactly that reason.

“We have seen first-hand the kind of damage that fire can do to plastic components,” comments Scott. “That’s why we continue to develop and promote steel options.”

A case in point: Balmoral School in Calgary. Because the school is located in an area prone to vandalism, Blue Imp proposed a design that was highly transparent and virtually all steel.

Teacher Nick Basi says the design has worked extremely well. “Vagrants who used to loiter in and around the school yard are not seen as frequently as a result of the increased public usage,” comments Basi.

He adds: “Its visible lines also offer a deterrent for these individuals because they can be seen so easily.”

While some may consider choosing plastic for its recycled content, Scott points out that steel itself is the most recycled material on the planet.

“Two-thirds of all new steel comes from old steel, which makes steel the green choice,” states Scott.

Another advantage: steel slides do not cause static electricity, which makes them friendlier for deaf children using cochlear implants.

Best of all, says Scott, playgrounds designed with steel offer just as much (if not more!) action-packed fun for children of all ages and abilities.

“At Blue Imp, we have plenty of ideas on how you can make your next playground more vandal-resistant,” concludes Scott.

“Feel free to contact us. Our expertise is free-of-charge!” b

At Balmoral School in Calgary, Blue Imp proposed a playground design that was highly transparent and virtually all steel.

Built for kids that play tough.

1-800-661-1462 www.blueimp.com

At Blue Imp we design and build play systems for durability, low maintenance, vandal-resistance and safety.