Setting up a playground on sloped terrain has its challenges. While flat ground provides the easiest installation, slopes don’t have to derail your playground plans. With the right approach and materials, you can create a safe, contained play area that children will love for years to come.

Grade the Ground As Much as Possible

Before you install playground borders on sloped areas, level the slope wherever feasible. Even minor grading can make a big difference in your final results. You don’t need to create a perfectly flat surface, but reducing dramatic inclines will save you headaches later.

First, identify the steepest sections of your slope, then use a small shovel to redistribute soil from higher areas to lower spots. Pack down loose soil with your feet or a hand tamper. This preliminary work creates a more manageable foundation and reduces the stress on your border materials once installed.

Use Quality Border Materials

Heavy-duty rubber borders and thick plastic lumber offer superior flexibility and strength for sloped applications. Here at Discount Playground Supply, our commercial-grade playset borders resist warping and cracking, even under challenging conditions. These materials bend with natural ground movement while maintaining their structural integrity over time.

Securely Anchor the Border

Even the best materials won’t perform without proper anchoring. Slopes create additional downward pressure that can shift or displace inadequately secured borders. Your playset border needs extra reinforcement compared to level installations.

Drive stakes every 18 inches instead of the standard 24-inch spacing recommended for flat ground, and use longer stakes to penetrate deeper into the soil. Consider adding landscape fabric behind the border before backfilling to prevent soil erosion that can undermine your anchoring system.

Be Especially Careful About Drainage

Water management becomes critical when you install playground borders on sloped areas. Without proper planning, your playset border can become a dam, trapping water at the lowest point of your play area. This creates muddy conditions, erosion problems, and potential safety hazards.

Install drainage gaps or weep holes at regular intervals along your border, especially at the lowest points. Position these openings slightly above ground level to allow water flow while containing your playground surfacing material. Consider adding a French drain system behind the border if your slope experiences heavy water runoff.

Transform Your Sloped Space Into a Safe Play Haven

You now have the knowledge to tackle a challenging sloped installation with confidence. Remember that proper preparation and quality materials make all the difference in creating a playground that stands the test of time.

Ready to get started? Browse our selection of professional-grade playground borders and equipment at Discount Playground Supply.