Merry Go Rounds, Children Playground Equipment
You have seen them at the park and played on them as a child. Merry go rounds have been entertaining school aged children for decades. Freestanding events such as playground slides, climbers, and merry go rounds are found on most outdoor playgrounds in the U.S. As technology has advanced, so have merry go rounds and the way they work. All playground equipment changes periodically to maintain higher safety standards for public play areas. Over the years the general design of merry go rounds has remained unchanged, with necessary modifications for improved safety. Merry go round designs are available from 6 to 10 feet in diameter. Although merry go rounds are designed for ages 5-12, children's playground equipment that spins is available for ages 2-5, including the Merry Go Cycle and Spinning Tea Cup. Less mobile play equipment such as music instruments and the Mushroom Kottage offer challenging solutions for younger children.
When planning a playground installation or purchase, understanding the basics is your best start. Merry go rounds are the most common type of rotating playground equipment. First, check to see if the placement area has the required use zone. Use zone is a common word in the playground industry. Use zone refers to the minimum distance around the outermost surface of the playground component intended for activity. In addition, there should be buffers between the preschool playground and school age playground. This buffer can be curbs, bushes, benches, fencing, or other related items. Remember that use zones are not laws, just recommendations from the National Playground Safety Institute. However, your organization must take these rules into account for insurance and liability purposes to properly manage your site and avoid accidents.
Now that you have established your area, preparing for installation is next. The installation of an eight foot wide merry go round will require 600-800 pounds of concrete. Bagged concrete from a local supplier is adequate. Thorough premixing the concrete in a mixer or wheelbarrow ensures the concrete is solid when set. It is imperative when installing merry go rounds that the concrete cures before use. Given mild weather conditions, concrete will generally take 36-48 hours to harden. If the base is inserted on the post before this time, the merry go round will be loose and uneven, creating a more difficult spinning motion for the users. A layer of protective surfacing should be applied around the use zone of the equipment.
Finally, the children are ready to enjoy a spinning activity on the playground. The newly installed merry go round will keep them engaged and active. Safety must be kept in mind; however there are certain inherit risks in everything. Merry go rounds are not recommended for pre-school aged children as the products offer little control once in motion. Depending on the deck height, a plastic or metal slide offers safe play for all ages.