Outdoor activities are essential for the mental, physical, and social development of children. Considering this, it is vital to ensure safety, comfort, and fun for children in playgrounds. And, the right surface materials in landscaping projects involving playground designs have an active role to play here. 

Notably, a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found that around 80% of the injuries sustained by children occur in playground settings. Installing softfall mulch is considered one of the best outdoor playground surfaces that helps reduce the risk of injuries which can occur through falling from play equipment or just while running about. 

Read ahead to learn about soft fall or playground mulch and landscaping.

What is Softfall Mulch?

All-natural, non-toxic, softfall mulch is a layer of wood chips or bark chips applied to the surface of the soil around play equipment to create the resistance to impact and cushioning effect that a playground needs. This results in injury being much less likely or severe. It is to be noted that softfall surfacing is required to meet the Australian Standards for Playground Safety. 

Further, playground mulch needs to be soft and free from anything sharp in order to prevent injury from cuts or abrasions. Besides being soft enough to bend and absorb impact, bark softfall material also must be strong so that it doesn’t get crushed and crumpled too quickly. This prevents the build-up of ridges or dips with the movement of material under the surface that could go unseen and cause serious harm.

In order to be effective as an impact-absorbing material that slows a falling child down over the greatest possible distance to reduce any potential injury, softfall for playgrounds must be at least 300 mm deep. Moreover, the playground mulch can be easily installed using mulch blowing trucks and simply refilled when it is compressed over time by use. 

Types of Softfall Mulch

Known for its uniformity, impact-absorption properties and longevity, softfall mulch is commonly available as:

1. Crushed softfall chip (hardwood timber)
2. Pine bark softfall
3. Pine chip softfall

The pine chip or bark mulch is also available in different colours to stimulate young imaginations toward outdoor adventure.

Uses of Softfall Mulch

Soft enough to not hurt the sensitive feet of small children, softfall mulch is also strong enough to hold the weight and impact of older children running around the playground at the same time. Certified and approved for playgrounds, the play area mulch can also be used by landscaping contractors in various commercial landscaping projects like:

1. for pathways
2. over shapes and platforms
3. on rooftop or terrace playgrounds 
4. around the water jets or fountains 

Difference Between Softfall Mulch, Garden Mulch and Black Mulch

While softfall mulch is used in playgrounds with the help of mulch blowing to provide cushioning for falls and trips, garden mulch (or garden bark) and black mulch (or black woodchips) are used in gardens to suppress weeds. Besides, garden or organic mulch is used to conserve water and moderate soil temperature, and black wood chips for garden can help keep soil warm. 

Benefits of Softfall Mulch 

Children’s playgrounds must have seamless flooring with a few mounds or platforms. Also, the surface should be slip-resistant, durable and shielded from the hot summer sun to avoid burning young skin. While being safe, children’s playgrounds must encourage physical development and collaborative play. Let’s dive deeper to learn about the top five advantages of a woodchip play area or installing bark softfall material around play equipment. 

Safety:

Slip resistance and fall attenuation are some of the major benefits of soft fall mulch surfaces, which help minimise the risk of injury to children whether they fall from any play equipment or are at the ground level.

Colour variants:

Available in different colours, softfall mulch can add a playful vibe to play areas. Also, choosing lighter colours can help reflect the playground’s surface heat.  

Durability and repairability:

The surface under swings and at the end of the slippery dip takes a beating in outdoor playgrounds. Though it can take several years to wear down, softfall bark chips can be reapplied using mulch blowing trucks to seamlessly integrate with the original surface.

Easy maintenance:

Softfall playground surfaces can be easily cleaned with simple products. Allowing water to drain through the surface, softfall wood chips ensure a dry and slip-resistant underfoot experience.

Sound-absorbing properties:

With children shrieking, roaring, shouting and singing, playgrounds can generate a fair amount of noise. Playground soft fall mulch can help absorb some of that noise so that younger children aren’t intimidated and nearby residents or workers are also not disturbed.

Conclusion

By and large, playgrounds need to be safe and clean and also have soft, impact-absorbing surfaces to protect children as they play. That’s why, it is essential to use the right materials in playgrounds and outdoor activity areas. Featuring materials that are accredited to Australian Standard certification, softfall mulch provides impact-absorbing surfaces to prevent injury, offering cushioning for trips and falls.

If you are searching for low cost mulch or mulch calculator, then connect with Mega Mulchers for a free quote.