How to prepare your yard for a playset

When looking to purchase a playset, one of the more intimidating things to think about can be whether or not your backyard is properly prepared for a playset, whether you’re setting it up for yourself or having one installed by someone else.

While it can seem like a difficult task, preparing your yard for a playset typically doesn’t take too much work, but some things can be done to ensure that the process of setting up or assembling your wood or vinyl playset goes as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

The first thing to check is the space that you have. How large is the space, and is it large enough to accommodate the playset you’re getting? A good general guideline is to have at least 6 feet of open space outside of any part of the playset, with even more (generally around 6-8 additional feet) needed in front of and behind a swing beam.

You may need to adjust the layout of a swing beam or slide if your space is tight and you don’t have the needed space surrounding all of the features of your playset. A good manufacturer will generally allow you to adjust the configuration of the playset to match your space.

Once you’ve ensured that you have adequate space, you can take some time to determine where exactly you’ll want your set to be and how you want it to be configured. Be sure to think about where you will want the tower to be, where the swing beam should be, and where any slides or other attachments will fit well.

Another important thing to consider with your space is the level of the ground. A playset needs to be level to be stable and durable enough to last for years. While a playset can be properly leveled on a gentle slope, if the area you’d like your playset on a hill, you’ll probably need to level the ground yourself or have a landscaper do it for you.

As a general rule, at Patiova, we recommend no more than 4 inches of drop every 10 feet. This means that if you rest a 10 ft. level on the uphill part of a sloped area and hold the other end off the ground to level it, it should be no more than 4 inches off the ground. If a 5 ft. level is used, the end should be no more than 2 inches off the ground.

A third thing to consider is the path from the street, or outside your yard, to the area you will want to set up your playset. If your backyard is fenced in, how wide are the gates? Are they wide enough to allow an assembled playset tower through, or will you need to remove fence panels or bring the playset back entirely disassembled?

If you take care of everything mentioned above, you’re all ready to have your playset installed or put it together yourself! You should have a good understanding of everything that you need to prepare your backyard for a playset properly.