Most people would consider this playset good to go, as is. It's big, in great shape, and loaded with features. Clear a space, secure that puppy to the ground and let the kids get crazy. But some folks are not satisfied with good to go — they envision great to go. And then they make it happen.
Whee-ooo whee-ooo, call the fire department because this project is blazing with awesomeness. Michell from Girl in Air scored this play set used for a fraction of what it would cost new. After enlisting a few helpers to prep the site and re-assemble it in place, Michell went to town with a paintbrush and her eye for detail. We think the homemade 'Fire Station' sign looks great, and the way she hung a hose using an old galvanized bucket fits in perfectly with the overall look of the project.
Once she adds a planned fire pole (a must-have, of course) this project will be complete and her backyard will be the hottest piece of real estate in town.
• See more: Girl in Air
(Images: Michell/Girl in Air)
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Oh Richard! You made my laugh out loud with GLEE!! What a wonderful write up...thank you so much! I'm beaming with pride!
Oh my gosh, my three-year-old would faint if he saw this! Well done!
Yikes. This is adorable for sure. But I guess I will be the Debbie Downer and say that it appears (actually, I am certain) not to meet any safety codes : ( I just put a word of caution out that this actually shouldn't be done without some professional input regarding safety. Gotta keep the kids safe!
I think this is super fun but it looks like alot of work for almost the same results.
The kids are probably digging it!
It's perfect! Love it!
I'm confused by the comment "this actually shouldn't be done without some professional input regarding safety." All she did was add paint, a sign, and a hose. The rest looks like a pre-fab playset. How is painting something a safety hazard?
I should add that I think these additions are fun - not that I think it's no big deal!
Thank you Cara! I was wondering the same thing....it's just a Sam's Club playset..don't think they could sell them if the average person couldn't put one together....and we ADDED extra safety with the rubber border and playground gravel and we anchored it for better support!
Cara Moe, I don't want to make a big deal out of it. It is a fun project. I have taken several classes on playground safety inspection and this is violating just about everything : | Play equipment is very specifically designed for safety with years of research behind it. For example, the gaps in between the fence slats are created so that hands can fit through but heads can't which prevents 'hanging'. Everything is measured down to the finest detail. The addition of the sign, the pail, the hose, most certainly negate certain aspects of the safety. There are 'fall zones' on the structures which allow a child to fall without hitting anything and most likely the pail is in one. The sign? It probably permits children to climb to heights higher than it is designed for. And I know that this was existing, but that wood header and and gravel surround is not considered a safety surface for starters and is WAY to close to the structure. The slide going into the grass is one of the worst violations of safety codes I have seen.
Now, I know that this is extreme and we need to keep some common sense involved. I am just saying that when children are part of the equation, that this should be done with some care. I just think that while this post is very cute, it should also include a word of caution.
Wormy, what material should the slide go into? A pile of pillows?
While I think the playset and the makeover are fab, I want to support Wormy's comments. It's tough because many of us survived a lot of less-than-code situations and had tons of fun while doing it, but Wormy's informed comments should give everyone something to think about when installing such tempting structures for children.
I know everyone! I am the first to agree that the safety regulations are completely ridiculous. I grew up on a farm and it was much better than any 'safe' playground. It made me a better person.
I guess the only point that I am trying to make is that this was posted on a public site that will give people lots of ideas for their own projects and a reminder to be careful doesn't hurt : ) That is it.
MSSCRABBLE, pillows would be pretty awesome, you have to admit! Otherwise, the accepted materials are sand, fibar (like bark mulch but tested to be free of chemicals and metals), rubber.
Anyhow, I agree that the main focus here should be that the upgrade is adorable and kudos to being creative for kids.
Can't find the link now, but read a great article within the past year (maybe NYT?) about how lame US playgrounds are because of safety/accessibility standards and how awesome the ones in Europe are because of the absence of said standards. Really eye-opening. Think about it...have you seen a merry-go-round or a see-saw lately? Most children are so capable if given the opportunity, and making everything so simple and safe really short-changes them.
No wonder kids find sitting on the couch playing a videogame to be the most exciting option these days. Thanks, safety culture, thanks.
No joke- who cares about safety on a playground when we have child molesters walking free in this country and stalking children? Please worry about more important things than the code of a playground. A parent motivated enough to turn a playground into a firehouse, is not the kind of person who would leave a young child unattended out there anyway. Please just let boys be boys people.
I completely agree that codes are more problematic for kids than they are helpful. I wonder how much they contribute to obesity and a myriad of other issues. Who would want to go down a slide over and over instead of play a video game? I think that growing up with totally unstructured play where you depend on your own creativity is the best thing there is for kids.
Anyhow, I think that is where most of our hears are. Hopefully the lawsuits and over the top codes will follow suit.
This post got completely derailed! Sorry about that. I didn't mean to make it a big deal.
great project that turned bland to fab! Great write-up as well.
Everything else is just um, silly and sounds like someone's thesis project that they are now an "expert" in. I truly feel for over-protected children and their super padded 'don't climb that high' lives.
I love it! Wonderful, fun and so creative! Congrats on the feature.
no harm in letting people know what to consider when refitting a play structure. Just take it or leave it guys!
First off, this is a very adorable upgrade. Any child would love the new theme and the fun bright color of this playset. Great job!
Secondly, to Wormy, sorry you are being attacked by so many people for making others aware of the safety codes. I would like to thank you for your informative comment. I always strive to keep my child safe and put safety first. Apparently I'm not the norm today but I certainly appreciated what you had to say. Thanks!
How about we just supervise our children when they are playing on the equipment? Problem solved.
Please stop picking on Wormy! You sound like playground bullies!
Cute!
Here's the link the the New York Times article KKATMPLS brought up. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/19/science/19tierney.html
"The slide going into the grass is one of the worst violations of safety codes I have seen." - Wormy
Oh no, not a slide into grass?! WHY WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!?
Kids can't even get any damn speed on those new plastic slides, playgrounds are beyond lame these days. Its seriously no wonder why video games are more exciting and childhood obesity is skyrocketing.
Guess what folks, scraped knees and broken arms heal and scars are just tattoos with better stories. Take the bubblewrap off your kids.
Sincerely, an almost 30 year old who still remembers when playgrounds were cool and getting dirty was fun.
aww i think its so cute.... i got mine at a garage sale and my dad and i put it together re-enforced it replaced wood that needed replaced and I painted it the colors I wanted, I knew we'd be moving so i didn't go crazy I have to tear it down again but I will keep this in mind. Looks great, my son has a fire truck that would be perfect with this!
and my slide goes into the grass just like every other home playground i have ever seen, and I work on people's remodel projects so I go into more homes all over my surrounding area than a normal person does.while i appreciate safety codes and such, kids fall, they get hurt it's a part of life and sliding onto the grass is the least of my concerns. I worry about my child and his safety all the time he's my life, but come on that's just silly.
I live in Switzerland and nearly had a coronary at the playgrounds here, and I grew up in the 70's people. Anyway, at first I was horrified and now I'm like GOOD, kids should get hurt sometimes. Yeah, it's splintery and rusty and has gravel underneath. Be careful then. Man, I fell off jungle gyms and monkey bars and climbed to the top of stupidly high structures. Why shouldn't my kid. I'll just be the American off to the side slowly having a heart attack...
Wow, people are rude here. So ignorance is bliss. Wormy, I'm sorry that these people have no manners.
I'm European and the reason we have lesser safety codes is likely because we aren't all hysterical litigants. Since I'm sure all of these overreacting crazies would be quick to sue if their special snowflake ever got a boo boo.
This is awesome!
Wow, ELLE URKER.... say other people have no manners and then go on to basically call all Americans "hysterical litigants" and "overreacting crazies".... classy.