Reasonably prices ground cover for kids play area

darth6th

I am wanting to put down a play surface for the kids garden area - we were thinking about rubber chippings. Just wondered if anyone had any experiences or reviews of rubber chippings or have any other suggestions. The area is about 25m2 so don't mind spending money on something that lasts but don't want to spend money only to find out it isn't suitable.

We have grass at the moment but have really bad clay soil so the ground is either solid as concrete or super muddy and slippery.

We also have lots of cats in the area so know play bark would be an option as we have bark elsewhere in the garden and is used a a massive litter tray!

Davesnave

[QUOTE=darth6th;68168979
We also have lots of cats in the area so know play bark would be an option as we have bark elsewhere in the garden and is used a a massive litter tray![/QUOTE]

Why would rubber chips be any different in that respect?

Best option is probably rather ugly Mypex type ground cover pegged down.

Mypex or Phormisol will last at least 5 years and the generics should also cope similarly, though maybe not quite as long.

I used to peg a bit down under a swing, but I haven't done larger areas for kids, only plants, You don't want joins or they will soon be trip hazards.

darth6th

Thank you for your reply.

I have been told that cats do not like the texture and feel of the rubber chips along with the smell. However that is why I was wondering if anyone had any experience of them as it could become a rather expensive cats toilet!

Would a weed control fabric work - is it durable enough not to get ripped up when the kids are running over it? Does it also help when the ground is solid? Sorry loads of questions.

Davesnave

A proper woven weed control fabric @100gsm will last at least 5 years. I've driven my car over one piece every day for years, so children will be no problem. I am not talking about the cheap spun-bonded stuff, which would be no use.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yuzet-09-001005-00-25-Membrane-Landscape-Control/dp/B006H1MD7E/ref=pd_cp_lp_1


While we all want kids to be safe, a soft surface is probably hard to achieve without specialist products or mess, and whatever you do, your children will still spend hundreds of hours at school, playing on asphalt!

You might be able to put something soft, like old carpet, under Mypex sheet but it would need doing with care and it might take a long time to dry out.

Hopefully someone will be able to comment on the rubber chips soon.