IntelliTurf, with its unique sub padding system can be configured to meet “head impact” standards of 6, 9 or 12 feet.  This standard is based on the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) F1292 impact test.  These standards are endorsed by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). IntelliTurf is the most attractive of any playground foundation besides real grass.  The catch is real grass cannot handle heavy traffic, shady conditions, or drought without requiring major maintenance.  Unlike grass, IntelliTurf requires no water, mowing, aerating, thatching, patching or seeding.  It requires no chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides.

Other products such as ground up tires or wood mulch have their own issues.  Sure they are cheap, but this is what you get.  They both need regular maintenance to redistribute the material.  If this is not done, dirt and/or muddy spaces become exposed.  Not only does this create a filthy play environment, it also promotes rampant runoff and erosion issues.  Black rubber can become dangerously hot if exposed to extended periods of direct sunlight.  The padded protection from these materials is almost N/A.  Even ground up, recycled tires playground cover is not soft.  Feel how soft a tire is; it’s not soft at all.  Wood mulch has a rather short life and must be re-applied many times; often after some major erosion repair is completed.

Poured rubber playground surfaces offer substantial padding, but they have their issues too.  They are durable and provide protection.  They can be very expensive to install.  Unlike IntelliTurf, which can be installed directly to a graded surface, a poured rubber surface can only be poured on a concrete foundation, adding even more cost to the project.  Poured rubber, even if it has a textured finish can be slippery when damp.

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