Not Only Green but Made in the USA

Grounds For Play takes pride in the fact that we manufacture our superior quality playgrounds and other outdoor equipment right here in America. In addition, since 1991, our playground equipment has included recycled or recyclable components in as many practical ways as possible. By reducing our carbon footprint, we are doing our part, and in turn, you, to protect the earth’s resources.

Environmentally-Friendly Playgrounds

• Our average structure contains more than 80% recycled material by weight
• Our Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is 100% reclaimed wood
• Our posts and decking is made from 95% recycled content
• Our steel is made from 30-50% recycled content
• Rubber buffings in our Poured In Place Rubber (PIP) are 100% recycled
• Our polytone panels are available as 100% recycled at an additional cost
• Our turf infill rubber buffings and turf resilient padding are 100% recycled
• The majority of our playgrounds are recyclable at the end of their lifespan

Let's Talk Lumber

Environmentally-Friendly Recycled Posts & Decks
Our recycled posts and decks look similar to wood but without unwanted maintenance! This material is made from post-consumer plastic products, like milk jugs and detergent bottles. Neat, right? So, first things first. Let’s see just how great our sustainable posts and decks are. 

Reduce Air & Water Pollutants Unlike wood, our structural plastic lumber doesn’t need to be chemically treated so there’s no leaching of chemicals into the ground or water.

Reduce Toxic Exposures
Our plastic lumber doesn’t emit toxins and irritants into the air or water like PVC or treated wood does.

Reduce Waste & Landfill Pile-Up
Our plastic lumber gives consumer plastics new life, reducing waste dramatically.

Reduce Deforestation
Unlike traditional wood, our lumber eliminates the need for deforestation — saving countless trees that wildlife depends on.

Durable, Long-Lasting Posts & Decks
These reinforced posts and decks are vandal-resistant and protected from rotting, splitting, cracking, or splinters. Additionally, the posts have UV additives to protect from fading and are resistant to termites, marine borers, salt spray, oil, and fungus (making them perfect for coastal areas!). All of this combined provides a child-friendly, low maintenance, and slip-resistant surface for play.

Certified Green Posts & Decks
What’s more, our supplier has the Recycled Content Certification by GreenCircle. This certification qualifies their compliance with all Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 2012 Green Guidelines. Our posts and decks also meet the criteria for the USGBC LEED requirements. 

In summary, we’re low maintenance, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic — everything you’re looking for in a playground.

Plastic coated punched steel and expanded metal decks are subject to rust, wear, and vandalism that causes the loss of coating. Our recycled decking is high-performance and resistant to fading and vandalism. These decks can be easily maintained with soap and water and a light pressure wash to keep your playground looking new. If a piece of decking is somehow vandalized, it can be replaced without the need to replace an entire deck.

Our posts and decks are made from 95% recycled materials. In fact, one pound of our plastic lumber utilizes a total of 8 gallon-sized milk jugs. Additionally, the post and decking can be recycled at the end of their life.

Learn about all the great benefits of our other playground components and download a specification sheet that explains our playground materials by visiting our materials page here.