Playground Rubber Mulch
Delivering Safe & Stylish Solutions For Play Areas
Use Rubber Mulch for a Smarter & Safer Playground
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch is an innovative & eco-friendly ground cover product
Playground Rubber Mulch Applications & Uses
Residential Playgrounds
HOA/Neighborhood Playgrounds
School Playgrounds
City/County/State Park Playgrounds
Daycare Playgrounds
Church Playgrounds
Commercial Playgrounds
Some of the best memories children have are made on the local playground as they run, jump, swing, climb, and imagine their way into new adventures. Sometimes, traumatic memories are made when a nasty fall onto the play surface leads to a broken bone, head injury, or painful scrape. A play surface material like rubber mulch can greatly reduce any injuries your child might sustain.
Unlike wood mulch/chips, pea gravel, and sand, rubber mulch does not turn into a compacted or hard surface with frequent use. It won’t blow away in high winds or float away during big rain storms either, and stays in place to keep your child safe. Rubber mulch has been evaluated by groups like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as an appropriate loose full surfacing material for residential and commercial playgrounds because it provides superior fall protection when compared to other materials.
Keeping the “Play” in Playground
GroundSmart™ is the nation’s leading provider of playground rubber mulch that exceeds today’s playground safety standards and guidelines and helps keeps millions of scrap tires and billions of pounds of scrap tire rubber out of landfills every year. We are dedicated to turning recycled tire rubber into new, innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable rubber mulch products that keep playgrounds safe and improve the environment.
Get the Facts About Playground Rubber Mulch
And Other Surface Safety Standards
Rubber Mulch Meets All Safety Standards
GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch meets the criteria required by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) for certification as a playground or play area safety surface and wheelchair accessibility.
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1292-13
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1951-99
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F3012
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch
Fall Height Protection |
Safety Surfacing Compacted Depth |
Up To 16 FT. |
6" |
Up To 12 FT. |
5" |
Up To 10 FT. |
4" |
Wood Fiber & Wood Mulch
Fall Height Protection |
Safety Surfacing Compacted Depth |
Up To 10 FT. |
9" (Fiber) |
Up To 7 FT. |
9" (Mulch) |
While wood mulch and wood chips have been the most popular playground surface material for years, they can be costly in the long run due to yearly upkeep costs. They also decay overtime causing splinters, attracting pests, become compacted reducing fall protection, and can be washed or blown away from weather events.
Pea Gravel
Fall Height Protection |
Safety Surfacing Compacted Depth |
Up To 5 FT. |
9" |
Pea gravel is composed of smooth, small stones that come in a variety of natural color ranges. It can be an attractive playground surface material, but it is far from ideal from a safety standpoint. Over time pea gravel compresses into a hard, non-shock absorbing surface that can be extremely painful to fall onto and no matter how hard you try, you always end up with several in your shoe that can also be painful to step on.
Sand
Fall Height Protection |
Safety Surfacing Compacted Depth |
Up To 4 FT. |
9" |
Playground sand only provides protection from falls up to 5 feet compared to the 10-12 feet that playground rubber mulch provides. In the long run, playground sand compacts, is messy, gets extremely hot in direct sun, and is seen as a giant litter box by animals.
Playground Rubber Mulch Benefits
- Creates safer playgrounds
- Reduces injuries from falls
- IPEMA certified for critical fall height protection (ASTM F1292-13)
- Recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission “CPSC” for use as a playground safety surface
- Meets Americans with Disabilities Act “ADA” accessibility standards as playground safety surface (ASTM F1951-99)
- Up to 60% savings versus engineered wood fiber (EWF) or wood mulch in playground or play area applications
- Inhibits growth of mold and fungi, reducing allergy risk
- Saves time and money by eliminating annual mulching
- Requires up to 50% less material than engineered wood fiber (EWF) or wood mulch
Playground Rubber Mulch Features
- 12 year Color-Lock guarantee
- Helps prevent weeds
- Does not attract termites, carpenter ants or other harmful wood destroying insects
- Resists rodent infestation
- Does not float, absorb water, erode or blow away with heavy wind or rain
- Will not rot unlike engineered wood fiber (EWF) or wood mulch
- 100% Recycled Rubber
- 99.9% Wire Free
- Non-toxic
Playground Rubber Mulch Cost Benefits
Products like wood mulch and engineered wood fiber (EWF) break down and decompose. As a result, the cost and maintenance of a playground using wood mulch or engineered wood fiber (EWF) significantly increases over time. Additionally, as these products break down and decompose the critical fall height protection they provide is reduced. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch does not break down or decompose and helps create safer, smarter playgrounds that are ready for play 365 days a year, year after year.
59% COST SAVINGS
Rubber Mulch vs Wood Mulch/Engineered Wood Fiber
Over 12 Year Period
Playground Examples Using GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch
How Much Rubber Mulch Do You Need?
Rubber Mulch Coverage Calculator for Your Playground Project
Calculator Directions
Select Your Planned Usage
Select your Installed Depth
Enter Your Dimensions
We’ve put together an easy to use rubber mulch coverage calculator so you can easily figure out how much rubber mulch you’ll need to cover your project. Simply input your dimensions and we’ll tell you how much you need!
Coverage Calculator
Rubber Mulch Frequently Asked Questions
- GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch – Installation Instructions
- GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch – Architectural Bid Specifications
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – IPEMA Certification for 4”, 5” and 6” compacted depths per ASTM F1292-13
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – IPEMA Certification for F3012
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – ASTM F1951-99 Wheelchair Accessibility Test at 4” compacted depth
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – ASTM F1951-99 Wheelchair Accessibility Test at 5” compacted depth
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – ASTM F1951-99 Wheelchair Accessibility Test at 6” compacted depth
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – Accelerated Weathering Test
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – Feedstock MSDS Sheet
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – Product Warranty
- GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch – Chemicals Commonly Found in Natural Soil vs Recycled Rubber
- Public Playground Safety Handbook
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD. Publication #325, Nov 2010.
www.cpsc.gov - Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD. Publication #324, 2005.
www.cpsc.gov
- Health and Safety Considerations Associated with the Use of Recycled Waste Tires for Playground Surfacing
- Review of the Human Health & Ecological Safety of Exposure to Recycled Tire Rubber found at Playgrounds and Synthetic Turf Fields
- Crumb Infill and Turf Characterization for Trace Elements and Organic Materials
- Information Regarding Use of Recycled Rubber on Playgrounds
- A Scoping-Level Field Monitoring Study of Synthetic Turf Fields and Playgrounds
- The Effects of PU Coated Rubber Mulch ion the Leaching of Contaminants Compared to Uncoated and Acrylic Latex Coated Rubber Mulch
- Evaluation of Playing Surface Characteristics of Various In-Filled Systems
- Evaluation of Health Effects of Recycled Waste Tires in Playground and Track Products
- Preliminary Assessment of the Toxicity from Exposure to Crumb Rubber: its use in Playgrounds and Artificial Turf Playing Fields
- Toxicological Evaluation for the Hazard Assessment of Tire Crumb for Use in Public Playgrounds
- Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook
Report Summary: Supplemental chronic risk estimates … indicate that regular exposure (e.g., regular play on ground rubber filled athletic fields) to ground rubber for the length of one’s childhood does not increase risk of cancer above levels considered by the State of California to be de minimus.
- Five Year Study of the Water Quality Effects of Tire Shreds Placed Above the Water Table
- Environmental Impacts of Recycled Rubber in Light-Fill Applications
No, GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch comes with a 12 year color-lock guarantee. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch looks great 365 days a year, year after year, and it’s more durable, cost-effective, maintenance free and eco-friendly than wood mulch, stone and other common landscape groundcover materials.
Despite our fun and vibrant colors, GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch doesn’t taste very good. Nonetheless, we had GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch tested using the European toy test method EN 71-3 which determines if heavy and toxic metals will leach out of a product when exposed to stomach acid should a person or pet consume a piece. Nothing was determined to leach out of GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch when exposed to stomach acid.
Currently, there is not an approved or accredited test to evaluate the risk of a broken arm or leg.
No. A broken nose, brief loss of consciousness and other injuries may still happen but the risk of the most severe type of non-fatal injury – a non-recoverable brain injury – are dramatically reduced.
When installed and maintained to a proper depth for the surrounding equipment, GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch softens the impact by gradually slowing the fall and dispersing the energy which greatly reduces the risk for a traumatic brain injury. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch has the unique ability to provide this protection all year, rain or shine in a variety of climates.
Acute symptoms can include unconsciousness, inability to recall the traumatic event, confusion, difficulty learning and remembering new information, trouble speaking coherently, unsteadiness, lack of coordination and problems with vision or hearing. Long term symptoms include violence, anger, depression and increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Source 1: Mayo Clinic
Source 2: Alzheimer’s Association
Falling on grass, dirt and sand is how a lot of us grew up and we’re fine, right? Thanks to the NFL and the automotive industry, today we know a lot more about head impact protection and traumatic brain injuries. The most important recent finding is that every bump to the head – whether big or small – is cumulative. Each one adds up and has an effect on the brain. Brain injuries can be the result of multiple small bumps to the head or one large hit to the head. Having a reliable, all weather safety surface made from GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch helps reduce the number and severity of impacts to the head that can result in brain injuries.
The area where GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch will be installed must be graded for proper drainage with a substrate that is compacted to provide a firm, even base.
Installation of a commercial grade geotextile landscape fabric is recommended under GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch. Seam overlap needs to be a minimum of three inches and all seams need to be properly secured to prevent dirt or other substrate material from mixing with the safety surfacing. Additionally, the landscape fabric needs to be properly secured at the perimeter and around all installed equipment posts or polls. If stone or other material is used as part of a drainage system then the use of landscape fabric is also recommended in order to ensure that the materials do not mix.
If GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch will be installed above grade, use of a retaining system is highly recommended to reduce migration of GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch outside of the designated area and to help maintain a level, compacted play area.
When installing over hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, follow the November 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication 325 Public Playground Safety Handbook section 2.4.2.3 Installing loose-fill over hard surface. This guideline recommends that immediately over the hard surface there should be a 3- to 6-inch base layer of loose-fill (e.g., gravel for drainage). The next layer should be a Geotextile cloth. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch should be installed directly over this layer. Embedded in the GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch should be impact attenuating mats under high traffic areas, such as under swings, at slide exits, and other places where displacement is likely.
Prior to installing GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch the area must be cleared of all grass, wood chips, rocks, stumps, gravel, or any other type of debris.
GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch is the smart, economical solution in playground safety surfacing. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch provides up to a 59% savings versus wood mulch or engineered wood fiber (EWF) over a 12 year period.
Products like wood mulch and engineered wood fiber (EWF) break down and decompose. As a result, the cost and maintenance of a playground using wood mulch or engineered wood fiber (EWF) significantly increases over time. Additionally, as these products break down and decompose the critical fall height protection they provide is reduced.
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch does not break down or decompose and helps create safer, smarter playgrounds that are ready for play 365 days a year, year after year.
There are many entities that support the use of rubber mulch including federal, state and local environmental agencies, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). Rubber mulch has been proven effective in reducing critical brain related injuries from falls.
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch is produced to tight manufacturing specifications. This manufacturing process is certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) to provide consistent head impact protection. The end product is 99.9% metal free, provides up to 16 ft of critical fall height protection and comes with a 12 year color warranty.
We recommend a 4″ to 6″ compacted layer of GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch. A 4″ inch compacted layer is International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) certified to provide up to 10 ft of critical fall height protection, a 5″ compacted layer will provide up to 12 ft and a 6″ compacted layer will provide up to 16 ft of critical fall height protection. When assessing how much GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch you need, be sure to measure from the highest point where someone could jump or fall.
Leaves and small branches can be blown off the surface with careful use of a leaf blower. The coating does not stain or absorb odors from urine. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch’s color can be freshened with the use of a mild detergent and a power washer on a low setting.
Minimal maintenance is required for GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch resists degrading, floating and blowing away. All colors come with our 12 year Color Lock Guarantee. Raking, leveling and compacting are occasionally required to maintain the desired depth of 4″, 5″ or 6″.
Installation is simple. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch is conveniently available in a pallet with 98 individual 0.8 cu. ft. poly bags, 76.9 cu. ft. Bulk Bags or 38.5 cu. ft. Bulk Bags. Once your ground is prepared, simply slit either bag size open and GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch pours out. As it pours out, simply rake it in place and compact it. Care should be taken to not disturb the substrate material and/or landscape fabric if used.
4 Steps to a Safe & Beautiful Playground using Rubber Mulch
CALCULATE
ORDER
DELIVER
INSTALL
GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch products are available at major lawn & garden retailers, mass merchandisers, and garden centers
Shop Now for GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch
Find the perfect playground rubber mulch color to match any project in any environment
Cedar Red
Customer Rated:
Mocha Brown
Customer Rated:
Espresso Black
Customer Rated:
Green
Customer Rated:
Blue
Customer Rated:
Shop Now for GroundSmart™ Playground Rubber Mulch
Find the perfect playground rubber mulch color to match any project in any environment
Cedar Red
Customer Rated:
Mocha Brown
Customer Rated:
Espresso Black
Customer Rated:
Green
Customer Rated:
