You design a modern playground by thinking from the user's perspective, not the available budget. That means: choose a location that is easily accessible, provide facilities that appeal to multiple age groups, comply with legal requirements, and choose materials that last a long time. Install asphalt PumpTrack is a good example of such a modern approach: a single facility that serves toddlers, teenagers, and adults simultaneously, with minimal maintenance costs and maximum play value.
Whether you are a policy officer at a municipality or a manager of a recreation park, the design choices you make determine how the site is used for years to come. In this article, we answer the most important questions you need to ask yourself before you begin.
What is a modern playground and what makes it different?
A modern play area is an outdoor space that combines movement, interaction, and challenge for multiple age groups simultaneously. This distinguishes it from traditional playgrounds, which are usually aimed at children up to twelve years old and are hardly used after that age.
Traditional playgrounds have their value, but they serve a limited group. A modern play area thinks bigger. Consider facilities where a child on a balance bike rides alongside a teenager on a BMX, while an adult uses the same track for a sporty workout. This mix of users makes the place more lively, social, and profitable per square meter.
Modern playgrounds are also more often designed with urban sports As a starting point: movement that aligns with what young people and adults do in their free time. Think of skateboarding, cycling, scooting, and inline skating. These activities require different infrastructure than a swing or seesaw, but also generate a different level of engagement.
Which target groups should a modern playground serve?
Ideally, a modern playground caters to all ages: from toddlers and primary school children to teenagers, young adults, and participating parents. The broader the target audience, the more people you reach with the same investment and the same piece of land.
In practice, you see that many playgrounds have a “gap” in the 12 to 25 age category. Young people in that age group no longer find traditional playgrounds interesting, but a skatepark or PumpTrack does attract them. This makes it smart to consciously choose facilities during the design phase that appeal to this group as well.
Don't forget accessibility either. A good playground is wheelchair friendly and inviting for people with disabilities. For instance, a PumpTrack is also suitable for people in manual wheelchairs, without the need for a handbike. This is not only a matter of inclusivity, but also of legal requirements and societal expectations. Municipalities that invest in broad accessibility reach more residents with the same facility.
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What should you look out for when choosing the location?
The location of a playground largely determines how well it is used. A place that is difficult to reach, poorly visible, or lacks a social environment is visited less frequently, no matter how good the facility is.
Pay attention to the following points when choosing a location:
- Directions: Is the place within walking distance of schools, neighborhoods, or camping facilities?
- Visibility: Is the place visible from the surroundings, so that social control arises naturally?
- Subsurface and drainageAsphalt requires a stable, well-draining subsoil.
- SpaceA PumpTrack requires at least several hundred square meters, but also fits on irregular plots.
- ResidentsInvolve local residents early in the process to create support.
A good location is not always the biggest or most beautiful place, but rather the place that is used the most. View our completed projects for examples of how various municipalities and recreation parks have approached the choice of location.
What is the difference between a PumpTrack and a skatepark?
The main difference between a PumpTrack and a skatepark is the target audience and usage. A skatepark is primarily intended for skateboarders and advanced cyclists, whereas a PumpTrack is accessible to anyone with wheels: from a three-year-old on a balance bike to an adult on a road bike or skateboard.
| Characteristic | PumpTrack | Skatepark |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | All ages, all levels | Mainly teenagers and advanced players |
| Material | Asphalt, smooth and durable | Concrete or asphalt |
| Longevity | At least 20 years old | Similar, depending on usage |
| Maintenance | Low, annual inspection | Average to high |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible possible | Limited accessibility |
A PumpTrack works based on pumping movementsYou use your body to build speed without kicking or pushing. That makes it intuitive for beginners and challenging for advanced skaters. A skatepark requires more technical skill and is therefore less accessible for younger children or people just starting out.
What legal requirements apply to play equipment in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, playground facilities must comply with the Amusement and Playground Equipment Act, also known as the WAS legislation. This act sets requirements for the safety of playground equipment in public places and obliges owners to undergo periodic inspections and certification.
Specifically, for PumpTracks and similar facilities, this means:
- Certification according to the standard NEN-EN 14974, the European standard for skate facilities.
- Annual inspection by a certified inspector.
- Documentation of design, construction, and inspections.
- Correct dimensions and safety margins around the track.
For municipalities, this is an important point of attention: if the provider does not supply certification, you, as the client, run a risk in the event of incidents. Therefore, always ensure that the supplier handles the entire process from design to certification and issues a valid certificate upon delivery.
How do you keep a playground sustainable and safe to use?
Keeping a playground in sustainable and safe use requires a combination of high-quality construction, regular maintenance, and periodic inspections. With proper maintenance, an asphalt PumpTrack from Velosolutions lasts at least 20 years. Wearing a helmet is mandatory on Velosolutions PumpTracks, which contributes to the safe use of the track.
Practical steps to maximize lifespan:
- Annual inspectionHave the track checked annually for cracks, subsidence, or sharp edges. Velosolutions offers annual inspection and maintenance, also via a maintenance contract.
- Quickly tackle minor maintenanceSmall damages grow into big problems if you ignore them.
- Good drainage: standing water is the greatest enemy of asphalt.
- Communicate usage rulesClear rules regarding use (no motorized vehicles, no fire) extend the lifespan.
Sustainability is also about the social aspect: a place that is well used and appreciated is better maintained by the neighborhood itself. Involve local users in the management and provide a point of contact for complaints or damage.
How Velosolutions helps design a modern playground
Velosolutions is the market leader in the Netherlands, with over twelve years of experience and more than one hundred completed PumpTracks. We guide municipalities and recreation parks from the initial consultation to delivery and the annual inspection. This ensures that your investment meets all requirements and functions properly for years to come.
What we specifically offer:
- A custom-made design, tailored to location and target audience.
- Construction with specialized manual finishing for a high-quality asphalt road with gradual curves.
- Certification in accordance with WAS legislation and NEN-EN 14974, including certificate upon completion.
- Five-year warranty and annual maintenance to keep the course in top condition, also available via a maintenance contract.
- Support in persuading decision-makers and mobilizing support.
Read more about us and discover how we have already helped more than a hundred municipalities and parks. Do you want to know what is possible for your location? Request a no-obligation consultation and we are happy to think along with you.
