Anyone mulch under a playset?

Question

We just bought our daughters a playset and need to mulch beneath it. People always say we should use rubber mulch, however the area we are looking to cover is rather large and rubber mulch would cost us thousands (like 2-3) and I can't rationalize the expense. Has anyone used rubber? Beyond not needing to replace it, are there other benefits to make it worthwhile? Or should we just go with cedar, as we are leaning that direction

I had never even considered using sand. Is it just me, or does that sound like my playset area would become the neighboorhood kitty litter box? Plus, wouldn't my toddlers track TONS of sand into the house? (We use to live near the ocean, so I'm come to hate the mess a bunch of sand can make)

Answer 1

Mulch is great! I have it under mine and cedar repels some bugs. you can also ask at the Nursery if they have a kidsafe mulch where they shred it twice so it is not so chunky and sharp.

Answer 2

We bit the bullet and put the rubber mulch under our playset this summer. You are right, it is VERY expensive, But damn it looks nice!!! It compliments the playset and because it is green it blends nicely. We did section off an area and put in a sandbox, our son loves it and it did help with the numerous bags of mulch that we had to buy. Good luck!

Answer 3

Why don't you just use sand? People have used sand for fall zones for years. New is not always better, sometimes just more expensive. Cedar is good but it takes a lot of maintenance you will have to turn it and add more periodically, because it , just like sand, gets patted down and needs to be loosened.

Answer 4

We just had dirt, but I think I would like cedar better. I wouldn't suggest sand, every sandbox I have ever seen is pretty much the community kitty litter box. That, and sand tends to get into every little nook and cranny. You will be rinsing it off your kids for days. Yuck.

Answer 5

Any kind of mulch is fine. I worked at a daycare, and they always used mulch under the swings and slides. It works fine.You'll just need to replace more when it gets kicked around by the kids.

Answer 6

Just make sure that whatever mulch you get says "No Recycled Material." Theres carcinogen sometimes in recycled mulch and arsenic treated products can cause cancer in children after prolonged exposure.

Answer 7

Sand is clean and cheap in most areas. You buy it by the dumptruck load. dig into the ground about 6", and filler up.
You can border it with sunk treated timber to help keep it in place, and hey... now you have a sandbox, too!

Answer 8

I WOULD USE SAND, GREAT BIG SANDBOX THE KIDS WOULD LOVE IT AND NO SLIVERS LOL