A playground or play space’s “play-value” is measured by the extent to which it meets certain criteria. High play-value spaces meet more of the criteria. Our premium rubber paving installations, for example, meet all the criteria and have a high play-value thanks to our play-centered design. “Play-centered design” means that our playground surfaces have been designed and developed specifically with the goal of high play-value in mind. 

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The key elements of play-centered design and high play-value spaces include:

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• Fun & Engagement: How much excitement and joy does the playground spark, whether through varied equipment or the use of colour and inclusive design etc. This element speaks to how many possible ways there are to play in the space. 
• Physical Development: Does the playground design support the development of fine and gross motor skills, strength, balance and coordination through providing structured and open-ended possibilities for running, jumping, swinging, hopping, skipping, crawling etc. 
• Social Interaction: Does the space encourage social interaction through the shared use of equipment (think multi-user equipment or multi-player games e.g. see-saws, hopscotch, grounders, Hansel-and-Gretel pathways etc.) and promote co-operation of children sharing the space. 
• Creativity & Imagination: How much room or possibility is there for open-ended play? Does the space allow children to use their imaginations, develop their own games and create their own structure for play. 
• Challenge & Mastery: Does the space allow children to test their own limits, build confidence and develop resilience? 
• Sensory Experiences: How varied are the available sensory experiences on the playground? This refers to how many different colours, heights, textures and sounds etc. there are to stimulate the senses. 
• Replayability: This element asks the question “how many ways are there to play here?”. A high play-value space offers kids multiple ways to play and explore; encouraging them to keep coming back.
• Inclusive & Accessible: Welcoming, inclusive and accessible designs allow children of all ages and abilities to play together and participate. 

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HIC (Head Injury Criterion) and Gmax both refer to calculations that aim to assess the relative safety of a flooring surface and its ability to absorb impact with the goal of minimizing the risk of injury. The Head Injury Criterion equation specifically assesses the risk of a concussion resulting from impact against the surface and how much speed is returned to your head on rebound (i.e. how well is impact absorbed), while Gmax measures the surface hardness or impact attenuation in general. The lower the resulting number from each equation, the better the surface is at absorbing shock; and the safer that surface is for play.

Our premium poured rubber surfacing typically lasts 10 - 15+ years (and can last even longer with regular maintenance [every 3-5 years]).

Not only is the product lifetime superior to alternative loose-fill playground surfaces like pea gravel, sand, and wood chips; but it maintains its fall protection standard over the long term with minimal effort. Loose-fill playground solutions, by comparison, have a very short product lifespan after installation. Once laid, loose-fill surfacing gets packed down or displaced almost immediately; impacting safety, aesthetics, and your maintenance budget. 

Ask us about our seven-year crack-free warranty!

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When choosing a playground surface, you should look for compliance with:

• CSA Z614 (Canada’s primary playground safety standard)
  
  
• Impact attenuation (drop testing) for required fall heights
  
  
• Accessibility standards ensuring mobility-device usability
  
  
• Manufacturer performance testing & installer licensing 

At Urban Rubber Paving, we’re proud to partner with Shercom SherPlay and Playtop with Nike Grind to ensure that all of our installations meet and exceed all relevant CSA and regulatory requirements. 

Our staff members are proud to be Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI) certified, and we always hold a valid C-COR Certificate of Recognition indicating we have passed an annual safety audit. 

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Fall-height compliance refers to adhering to the guidelines for safety as set by the Canadian Standards Association. These standards and associated safety ratings are determined by the ability for the playground surface to absorb the impact of a fall from a specific height (based on the playground equipment and the intended age group). 

Poured-in-place rubber playground flooring provides consistent, predictable, long-term fall protection that meets and exceeds standards when tested for compliance.

Alternative playground flooring solutions like wood chips, sand or pea gravel regularly fail compliance testing due to their propensity for scattering, compacting and degrading over time; increasing the risk of injury from a fall. 

All of our installations meet and exceed all relevant CSA and regulatory requirements. Urban Rubber Paving is proud to employ staff members that have been certified by the Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI). 

Yes! Rubber playground surfacing is often the preferred and regulator-recommended option. It is soft, slip-resistant, easy to disinfect and absorbs impact to minimise the risks of falls among toddlers and children. Rubber paving is also wheelchair-, mobility aid-, and stroller accessible. 

Learn more about the benefits of rubber playground surfacing.

Yes. Poured rubber surfacing is widely considered to be the gold standard for accessibility. Because of its seamless, non-slip and stable nature, it is considered ideal for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices. By comparison, loose-fill playground surfacing is almost never accessible; even when freshly installed.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits all approach, so we use the best possible rubber crumb for your unique needs. This includes Shercom SherPlay, an IPEMA certified system, as well as Playtop with Nike Grind, a premium EPDM system made with recycled sneaker materials.