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Ever been at the playground with your kids and discovered that you forgot the water bottles? You look around, but there doesn’t seem to be a drinking fountain in sight. Drinking fountains, play area surfacing, playground fencing—these are the little details, but they can really make a playground, new or established, more usable and attractive. Surprisingly, these features are often given short shrift.

Most obviously important for children’s comfort and safety is the surfacing materials on which play equipment is situated. It must be soft enough to cushion falls yet also provide secure footing for little people who are not always entirely stable or attentive as they run from the slide to the monkey bars. Fortunately, durable cushioning materials have come a long way, and there’s no longer a need for splintery wood chips or the sand that seems to be all too popular with neighborhood felines. Synthetic turf and rubber mulch are two of the most popular products, and both meet industry safety standards. If you select playground rubber surface material, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of colors and textures that can complement any play area’s design and theme.

Playground fencing, too, can be more than just a safety feature. Low fencing or borders around individual play areas can mimic the stonework of a medieval castle or the timber of a western fort. Higher fencing that keeps children safely playing within the park boundaries doesn’t have to be just unimaginative, industrial chain link. Decorative and sturdy metal fences powder-coated in bright, primary colors frame the playground invitingly.

Commercial drinking fountains for parks and playgrounds today include fanciful, colorful structures that add another touch of whimsy to the setting. You can find fountains not only in all sorts of material and sizes, but also in, for example, various animal shapes. How about sticking your head in a friendly lion’s mouth as you get a sip of water? What grandparent wouldn’t love to receive a snapshot of that to post on the refrigerator?

A great deal of thought is usually put into the play structures for a park or playground, and with good reason since those are often the main draw for children and parents. But don’t forget how much applying the same thought to the safety and comfort features can add to the overall appearance and functionality of the site.