6 Types of Park Fixtures That Might Need to Be Replaced

Parks give guests a chance to visit nature. Unfortunately, nature also takes a toll on parks’ infrastructure, including fixtures like benches, swing sets, and cooking stations. Here are six fixtures that may need to be replaced throughout a park’s lifetime.

1- Benches

What is a good view without a great park bench? Some of a park’s most used features, benches see a lot of wear and tear, and their condition directly affects guests’ experiences. A clean, sturdy bench transforms park use. Is there a place to sit and enjoy the overlook, listen to the creek, or watch over kids on the playground? Will elderly guests and exhausted runners have a place to take a break along the trail?

Rusty benches leave stains and develop sharp edges that can be hazardous to guests. They’re also unattractive, and untreated rust can make the entire seat unstable. Wooden benches are lovely, but they’re prone to rot in damp climates. Freezes and thaws can also compromise the bench’s integrity, and no one wants to risk a splinter or a smear of mold.

2- Picnic Tables

Like benches, picnic tables are essential elements in a guest’s experience. These meeting places let kids meet after school, help workers enjoy lunch outside, and facilitate family picnics, Rotting, stained wood isn’t structurally sound, and guests are less likely to sit on anything that might stain their clothes. The same concerns about metal and rust apply to picnic tables, too.

3- Playground Equipment

Kids play rough, and even the best playground equipment needs periodic updates and replacements. Exposure to the elements also damages playgrounds over time, and safety is paramount. Keep an eye out for rust, cracking plastic, and unmooring. If the frame comes out of the ground when kids use the swings or a climbing structure shifts, consider an update. Children’s play areas must also meet parental expectations regarding appearance and accessibility.

4- Informational and Educational Signage

Informational plaques and boards fade in the sun and lose integrity over years of rough weather. These signs keep guests safe and engaged, but they only work when they’re legible. Consider updating them with new scientific insights, brighter warning signs, and more accessible options. These features will speak to more guests than park management ever will, and keeping them up-to-date and interesting is essential.

5- Trash and Pet Waste Receptacles

Everyone should do their part to help keep parks clean, and guests are more likely to pitch in when there are trashcans nearby. The same goes for pet waste. Clean, new, appealing trashcans may boost this effect because no one wants to get close to a stained receptacle that smells and leaks.

6- Grills

Grills not only facilitate a better guest experience, but they make parks more attractive for events like family reunions, birthday parties, and large cookouts. Renting out picnic shelters can help parks stay engaged and relevant in the community while adding to overall funding. Keep your park attractive and well-reviewed with clean, new grills, and let unsafe, rusting fixtures go.

If you are in charge of a park or looking to help improve your local park, examine your park fixtures to see what needs to be replaced.