Start Your Playground Project
Get Ready
The Get Ready Guide Overview
Please note that the following 10 steps can be followed in any order or at the same time depending on the specific circumstances of the individuals, organizations and communities involved. This section can help identify the steps to create a barrier-free playground. Be sure to become a Go Play! registered member to make your playground an official Boundless™ playground.
1. Do Your Research
Explore the Boundless Playgrounds® website to learn what Boundless Playgrounds is and does. Take a Virtual Playground Tour to become familiar with the characteristics that make a Boundless™ playground a great place for all children to play together. Use the Fun for All Facts at a local playground and, if possible, visit a Boundless™ playground in person to better understand how it differs from a traditional playground.
Tools available:
1.1 About Boundless Playgrounds
1.2 Shouldn’t Playgrounds Be for Everyone?
1.3 Fun for All Facts
1.4 Get Set Program Tools and Benefits
1.5 To find the Boundless™ playground nearest to you, click here
• For a free downloadable copy of the Handbook for Public Playground Safety, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, click here
2. Consider the Need for a Boundless™ Playground
Nationally, an estimated six million children – more than one in ten – have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to play on a traditional playground. Adults with disabilities also face difficulties playing with their children. The following documents will provide a better understanding of the issue at hand and the need for barrier-free play opportunities. In addition, you will learn how a Boundless™ playground is different from other playgrounds and how it benefits the children and the community. Specifically, when you participate in or organize the Playing with Perspective program, you will understand and help others see the challenges presented on a typical playground.
Tools available:
2.1 Able to Play: Mobilizing Communities for Children of All Abilities, Framing the Issue
2.2 Why Boundless™ Playgrounds Are Unique
2.3 Benefits of a Boundless™ Playground for Children and Communities
2.4a Playing with Perspective: Facilitator Guide
2.4b Playing with Perspective: Participant Guide
2.5 Go Play! Program Tools and Benefits
• Boundless Playgrounds Articles (Coming Soon)
3. Explore Collaborations
A large community project is best undertaken by collaborating with organizations that have a stake in a successful outcome. Consider approaching parks and recreation departments, community centers, school boards, parent/teacher organizations, early childhood education centers, religious organizations, civic and service organizations and companies/organizations with a strong commitment to serving children and families. These groups can provide support in many ways, including: raising awareness through their employees, members and network; advice and guidance; volunteers or information on other resources; and funding. It is advantageous to partner with the city/town or an existing non-profit organization since certain funds (primarily foundation grants) are only awarded to governmental or 501(c)(3) entities. Non-profit status is very useful for acquiring individual and business donations which may then be tax-deductible.
Tools available:
3.1 Who to Approach for Support
3.2 The 501(c)(3) Option
4. Establish a Playground Committee
It may be helpful for a core team to be responsible for managing the project and overseeing the planning, fundraising, promotion, volunteer recruitment and more. Begin with two or three people who agree that the community needs a barrier-free playground for all children and are willing to voice their passion. Then expand the committee with individuals who bring certain expertise to the project. With this group, establish roles and responsibilities, develop a timeline for the project and develop plans for both fundraising and communications.
Tools available:
4.1 Guidelines for Forming a Playground Committee
4.2 Suggested Subcommittee Structure
5. Select a Site
Site selection is one of the most important first steps to developing a successful Boundless™ playground. The playground location can impact the budget and affect community support. A site should be secured (with permission from the land owner) early in the planning process in order to determine the overall scope of the project and the resources that will be required. Creating a written agreement with the site owner to allow the playground to be built and for ongoing insurance and maintenance is recommended.
Tools available:
5.1 Site Selection Considerations
5.2 Purpose of a Site Survey
6. Choose a Boundless Playgrounds® Certified Model
All Boundless Playgrounds Industry Partners sell Boundless Playgrounds Certified Models. Contact the local manufacturers’ representatives to discuss the project and view the available options. Each community usually has its own selection process based on specific criteria, and in many cases, a public bid may be required. Look for the Boundless Playgrounds logo on manufacturers’ materials that indicates the model meets Boundless Playgrounds Performance Criteria.
Tools available:
6.1 What Constitutes a Boundless™ Playground
6.2 Boundless Playgrounds Industry Partnership
6.3 Role of the Design/Construction Subcommittee
7. Determine the Budget
Establish a detailed budget/fundraising goal for the complete project. In addition to the playground equipment and safety surfacing, there will be other elements to include such as: sidewalks and pathways, landscaping, fees for professional services and general construction costs.
Tools available:
7.1 Playground Budget Considerations
7.2 List of Expense Items
8. Reach Out to Stakeholders and Supporters
Stakeholders are those groups or individuals who have a direct interest in the development of a playground for children of all abilities. Also, reach out to people who share the vision and understand the value of the project in the community. This would include parents, grandparents, families with a relative who has a disability, youth groups, students and organizations that serve people with disabilities, educators, parks and recreation professionals, medical professionals, civic organizations, foundations, elected officials, business leaders, the media and local celebrities. They can reach out to their own networks and resources to raise awareness of, and build community support for, the playground.
Tools available:
8.1 Basic Communications Guidelines
8.2 Common Community Questions
8.3 How to Get a Boundless™ Playground
9. Involve the Community
With the help of stakeholders and supporters, begin to acquire the necessary resources (money, goods and services) to undertake the project. Certain elements of fundraising can be done directly by members of the fundraising subcommittee but encourage others to be involved and consider coordinating programs and events beyond the committee.
Tools available:
9.1 Basic Fundraising Guidelines
9.2 Sources of Revenue
Be sure to enroll your project in our Sponsor Database to be eligible for potential funding and volunteer assistance.The many deserving projects enrolled in the database help to inspire more funders to provide community grant dollars. Each sponsor establishes its own specific criteria for awarding grants so funding is not guaranteed. Should your project meet the established profile, you will be contacted directly. If you have already enrolled, you can update the project information with the most current status of your efforts. We recommend this be done at least every six months.
10. Envision Success
Picture that day when a completed Boundless™ playground will enable children of all abilities to be laughing and playing side by side, many for the first time. Sign up for Boundless Playgrounds® Getting Started Teleconferences, which address common concerns for individuals and organizations undertaking a project. Understand what others are experiencing and find answers to specific questions. Visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org for schedule announcements and sign up to receive updates and other news from Boundless Playgrounds.
Tools available:
10.1 Testimonials for Boundless Playgrounds Projects
10.2 Get Set Subscription Program: Tools and Benefits
10.3 Go Play! Registration Program: Advanced Tools and Registration Services
