Playground Budget Breakdown

What does it cost to build a playground?

GreenLine play panel at a playground in Randers.

What is the average cost of a playground?

To understand the overall cost of a public playground from start to finish, we have exemplified all the costs involved in commercial playground projects. Whether you have a large or small budget, we want to help you throughout your journey and avoid unwanted surprises.

As a general estimation, it's appropriate to allocate 50-60% of your budget towards playground equipment. Other factors related to the playground installation will typically consume the rest of the budget. Commercial-grade playground equipment by KOMPAN can be seen as costly - but this is due to our use of top-quality materials, researched designs and manufacturing that is safe, compliant and in line with local regulations. While these may create a higher upfront cost, you will see the benefits in the long run with a playground that is durable, timeless and beloved by your community for years and years into the future.

pie chart of what it cost to build a playground

While playground equipment takes up approximately 60% of your budget, the rest is allocated to services related to the playground building, playground installation cost and shipping. It's also important to ensure that your commercial playground safety criteria align with local rules and safety regulations to fit the playground equipment accordingly. This process can also impact the overall playground price.

If you are concerned about your existing budget for a commercial playground, it's always helpful to look into playground grants and subsidies that can offset some of the cost and allow you to deliver a fantastic play area for your community.

A breakdown of costs

The more complex the design solution, the higher the cost. Let’s explore the overall cost considerations that will impact your playground budget:

Playground Equipment

Without playground equipment – no playground. We believe that choosing high-quality materials is the best way to create playgrounds that will withstand the test of time. The featured materials of your playground will impact the cost; consider whether you want wooden, high-density polyethene, or metal materials.

If you are considering a natural playground, choosing strong and durable wooden materials like Robinia keeps the maintenance costs low and extends the lifetime of the playground. In areas with high wear and tear and perhaps even vandalism, products made of steel and high-density polyethene reduce maintenance costs.

Installation

Construction and installation costs may vary depending on the complexity of your playground. KOMPAN Australia works with a network of top playground installers with plenty of experience, ensuring your playground is installed safely and comes to life just as you envisioned.

Visit our installation page to learn more about installing a KOMPAN playground.

Landscaping

Not all playground installations are ready-to-fit solutions. A playground site often requires extensive landscaping and preparation before installation. If the playground site is on a very sloped area, it might need levelling, at least part of it. The dig-away can be used as a small hill on the playground, as children love to run up and down hills. Using the dig-away as a small hill prevents the cost of getting rid of the dirt.

Sometimes the site holds an existing playground. The removal of existing equipment also impacts on the costs. If your site is on a hard soil area, digging is a complex task. This naturally drives up the cost, and the cost of this type of digging is challenging to put an exact number on.

Shipping Costs

You must also bear in mind the delivery of your playground. The delivery will drive the cost up or down depending on the freight and location of your playground.

Green bench and table set at a playground

Site Amenities

A public playground often needs to cater for other things than play. Public spaces are all about connecting your community and creating a space where people can meet and enjoy being outdoors - this happens when the proper amenities are considered and added. Consider outdoor furniture such as tables and benches, bins to keep the area nice and tidy, areas with shading, or fences around the playground that act as safety factors, so the children stay safely inside the playground area. To ensure accessibility and usability by all, consider inclusive playground grants to cover costs of additional amenities that support visitors with diverse physical and cognitive needs. Adding an outdoor gym can also provide meaningful facilities for adults to enjoy while their children play. Read more on our outdoor gym equipment price page.

5 items

Safety Surfacing

Play surfacing makes up a significant part of your playground project. Some considerations you have to bear in mind are fall-height, inclusivity and accessibility, maintenance, design theme and playground surface materials.

Loose fill - Sand or wood chip has a natural look, and this type of material also has the advantage of being cheaper in the upfront investment. A loose fill option requires a yearly top-up that must be kept in mind. Be aware that sand is not just sand. Fall sand is a specific type of sand that does not compact, maintaining injury prevention. Likewise, woodchips must be engineered with wood fibre to protect children from fall injuries.
Pour in Place Rubber: Pour-in-place rubber can be made in many colours and form patterns that enhance the theme and the type of play in a playground. For example, dolphins next to a ship or a water splash at the end of a slide. Pour-in-place rubber is accessible to wheelchair users and walking-impaired children, parents, or grandparents. It has a higher initial cost, but a yearly top-up is not needed, which means a lower operating cost.

Inspections

Owners of public playgrounds and fitness sites have a responsibility to users and the public to keep their play and fitness areas safe at all times.

At KOMPAN, we can also conduct on-site inspections on any third-party manufacturer’s equipment.

Maintenance & After Service

The teams in our worldwide KOMPAN maintenance network have vast experience with after-service. They offer high-quality service and maintenance agreements, from complete all-inclusive agreements to simpler repair and management agreements. This is an additional cost consideration to bear in mind.

Please get in touch with your local KOMPAN sales office for a free quote on your specific service and repair queries.

5. Playground cost breakdown with examples