Anyone Used Rubber Mulch Chips or Mats for Outdoor Play Areas?

If you use rubber mulch chips, ask the supplier if they do any testing for heavy metals. Recycled rubber is often contaminated with lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals. It is not only a risk for your children and pets, but can also contaminate the soil and groundwater. Don't get me wrong, these products have a place, I just don't believe that it is in our play areas.

Many soil and mulch yards have a rough cut "playground" mulch that has a nice loose texture. It provide a great pad and is long lasting. The key is that you need a good 6" for maximum effectiveness. Ask if they dye it...again a red dye is a red flag for cadmium.

Any organic material is going to decompose over time. The key for maintaining it is to keep it DRY. Ensure that the base site doesn't have low spots or pot holes that will hold water. Use pea or granite gravel to fill in low spots, cover with a landscape fabric and use your playground mulch. You will have a surface that helps prevent injuries and gives a quickly drying play area.

I hate the mulch because every time I take my kids to the playground they either end up with splinters or they track that stuff back into the house. I think once it gets "old" it's going to look bad too. I found a website for you that uses rubber mats and soft surfaces. You might take a look at it. They have tons of awesome options and it's making me want to do a whole new play ground for my kids in the back yard. Good luck!
http://www.greatmats.com/playground-rubber.php?gclid=CM2G...
OH, if you google Playground Surfaces you'll get lots of links

I've always wanted some. I am about to finish off a 1400 dollar bill for building an outdoor enclosed play area. We used mulch 2 years ago and of course it's all gone. I've wondered if any of the pieces are too small in case some toddlers put it in their mouths. Of course, I worry about the metals listed below. One would think that if it's meant for playgrounds it would be covered under the strict toy/manufacturer laws.

I don't have the rubber mulch, but had considered it when fixing my kids' play area. But, we decided against it. Now, that they're in school - I'm glad we didn't use it. They continually come home with the coloring from the mulch rubbed off on shoes, clothes, etc.

Just like other things, there is probably various levels of quality. But, I'm glad I didn't have to clean it up every time they went outside to play at home.

The rubber mulch chips are a little pricey but it is fantastic! Well work the money. It's clean and soft. I love it!