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Guides & resources

Playground buying guides

Straight, independent answers to the questions every commercial playground buyer has. New guides published weekly.

July 28, 2026

School Playground Fundraising: How to Actually Raise $50K+ (2026 Guide)

The four funding layers that finish projects, which fundraisers are worth the volunteer hours, and why you get quotes before you raise a dollar.

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July 21, 2026

Playground Maintenance & Inspection Checklist (2026): What to Check and How Often

The three-tier inspection model, the conditions that drive most risk, surfacing and documentation, and how to budget for upkeep before you buy.

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July 14, 2026

Cooperative Purchasing Explained: Sourcewell, BuyBoard & OMNIA (2026)

How co-op contracts let public buyers skip the full bid, when you're allowed to use one, and how to get the best price.

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July 7, 2026

Natural Wood vs. Steel Playground Equipment: An Honest Comparison (2026)

Lifespan, maintenance, cost, and safety standards compared — and which settings each material really suits.

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June 30, 2026

Playground Shade Structures: Cost, Types & Grants (2026)

What shade really costs, how sails, cantilevers, steel roofs, and trees compare, and the grant and co-op paths that fund it.

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June 23, 2026

Inclusive & ADA Playground Design: A 2026 Buyer's Guide

The gap between ADA-compliant and truly inclusive — accessible routes, ground-level play, surfacing, and how to fund it.

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June 23, 2026

How to Write a Playground RFP (2026): Free Template & Checklist

The eight sections every RFP needs, a free copy-paste outline, evaluation weighting, and the mistakes that wreck a bid.

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June 18, 2026

Playground Safety Surfacing Compared: Costs, Pros & Cons (2026)

EWF, rubber mulch, poured-in-place, and tiles — costs, ADA accessibility, and how to choose.

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