How do you prepare a site in your backyard for a swingset and a sand box?

Answer 1

I built a play yard with a large sand box and swing set area about 7 years ago and it is still in use today. My kids just love it. What I did was to frame out the sand box and the swing set area with landscape timbers. For the sand box I laid down some heavy tarp and punched holes in it for drainage. Then I built a 10ft X 10ft frame, two high, of landscape timbers. I purchased 2 tons of play sand from a local quarry which was more than enough. For the swing set area, I originally tried to leave it bare. However, the children created ruts under the swings and when it rained it was a mess to I also laid tarp under the swing set and framed a 10ft X 20ft area with landscape timbers just one high and filled it in with a thick layer of mulch. Now the kids stay much cleaner.
It is always a good idea to make a cover for your sand box to keep the critters out. It will also help keep seeds and other things from growing in the sand. Well, I hope that helped you get some ideas.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I know you asked for advice on preparing your site--but at the Ag center where I volunteer, we don't suggest sandboxes because all kinds of creatures can get into the sandbox and leave their waste--unless you plan to keep it covered when not using it.

Even at that, it attracts ants and other below ground dwelling creatures that you might not want your children around.

You'd be surprised at what's out at night, even in the best neighborhoods.

As for the swing set, our parks use the new mulch that is made out of tires under the swings as it doesn't have splinters and keeps the grass back pretty well. It comes in colors.

Leaving grass around the perimeter of your swing set shouldn't be a problem, but you will want to dig it out at least three inches deep for the mulch.

Naturally, you will want to sink the legs of the swing set into concrete. Simply get some restaurant sized vegetable or coffee cans, put them in the holes, put the legs of the swing set in the cans, get it as level as you can, pour the concrete in the cans, fill the holes with dirt. This should be enough unless you have some really big kids who'll be playing on it.