6 key considerations when planning a school playground

Creating a vibrant, safe and inclusive outdoor play space is a significant investment for any school. At PlayCo, we understand that a well-designed school playground does more than just provide recreation, it enhances learning, social connection and overall wellbeing. Below are six critical steps to guide your school, P&C or design team through a successful playground planning project.

1. Define your vision & objectives

Start by asking: What do we want this playground to achieve?

• Do you want to promote physical activity, encourage teamwork, stimulate creativity or foster nature-based play?
• Engage key stakeholders (teachers, students, parents and the school community) to capture diverse viewpoints and insights.
• A clear vision gives your design partner and your project team a strong foundation for decision-making and helps keep the project aligned with your school’s values and goals.

2. Set a realistic budget

Budgeting is essential before you get into equipment selection or layout decisions.

• Playground projects can range widely in cost depending on size, surfacing, equipment and landscaping.
• Consider what funding is available: school budgets, grants, fundraising initiatives.
• Transparency around budget constraints at the briefing stage ensures the design and equipment are appropriate for your resources.

3. Consider student age groups & numbers

Designing a playground means accommodating different developmental needs and usage volumes.

• Younger children often benefit from low-level equipment, sensory play zones, and safe climbing/interactive elements.
• Older students may want more challenging climbing structures, fitness zones or agility circuits.
• Also consider how many children will be using the space at once; knowing your student numbers helps size the play equipment, layout and flow appropriately.

4. Choose the right location & site conditions

Selecting and assessing the site for your playground is a critical step. Questions to ask include:

• Is there sufficient open space for play equipment and safe circulation?
• Are there existing structures, fencing, trees, or underground utilities (water, sewer, services) that might impose constraints?
• How much natural shade is available, or will shading need to be budgeted?
• Are there any hazards (e.g., suspected asbestos in-ground)?
• What surfacing type will suit the space (synthetic grass, wet-pour rubber, mulch)?

By conducting a thorough site walk-through and documenting existing conditions early, you’ll minimise surprises during installation and future maintenance.

5. Include Fitness, Agility or Multi-Use Equipment

Today’s school playgrounds often do more than recess play — they support fitness, agility and multi-purpose use.

• For secondary school sites especially, outdoor fitness equipment and agility tracks are increasingly popular.
• For primary schools, age-appropriate fitness or “ninja-style” equipment can add value to play-zones.
• Think about how the play space aligns with your school’s health & wellbeing goals or sports programs, and whether multi-use equipment will extend the lifespan and appeal of your playground.

6. Prioritise Inclusive & Accessible Design

An inclusive playground welcomes all students, regardless of ability. When planning:

• Ensure wheelchair-accessible ramps, pathways and entry points for play structures.
• Incorporate sensory-rich play elements and equipment that appeals across cognitive and physical abilities.
• Detail specific requirements in your brief and work with your supplier to integrate inclusive design features from the earliest stage — it’s far more efficient than retrofitting later.
  A truly inclusive playground fosters participation, engagement and a sense of belonging for every student.

Planning and installing a school playground is a complex, multi-stage process: vision-setting, planning, equipment selection, surfacing, compliance, landscaping and maintenance. At PlayCo, our dedicated open space team, ASpace and ForPark, work together to specialise in school playgrounds and bring deep experience working with schools, P&Cs and communities.

If you’re at the beginning of your playground project (or somewhere in the middle) we’d be happy to help. Contact PlayCo today and let’s develop a strong brief, match the right equipment to your goals and deliver a play space your school community will love.