How Much a Playground Costs

Most playground budgets fail for the same reason: someone priced the equipment and nobody priced the project. This page gives you the whole number before you speak to anyone.

Playground equipment prices at a glance

Every price below is published on the site and is the real price, already 5 percent off list. These are equipment prices only.

• Play systems: about $8,865 to $76,239. Preschool structures for ages 2 to 5 run about $15,092 to $34,162.
• Swing sets: about $1,488 for a 1 bay Bi-Pod to $7,385 for a 4 bay Arch.
• Climbers: $475 for a balance beam to about $3,102 for a crawl tube.
• Inclusive play: about $570 to $1,092.
• Shade structures: about $5,732 to $9,055.
• GaGa ball pits: $1,235 to $2,090.
• Outdoor fitness: about $317 to $2,152.
• Dog park equipment: about $222 to $1,457.

What the whole project costs

Equipment is usually half to two thirds of what a playground costs in the ground. A workable split for a new build on a prepared site:

• Equipment, 50 to 65 percent.
• Safety surfacing, 15 to 25 percent, driven by fall height and use zone.
• Installation, 15 to 25 percent.
• Freight, 5 to 10 percent, which varies with your ZIP code.
• Site preparation, 0 to 20 percent.
• Contingency, 10 percent.

The commercial playground cost guide goes deeper on each line.

Working backward from a budget

Take 55 percent of your total as the equipment allowance. A $40,000 total means about $22,000 of equipment, $100,000 means about $55,000, and $250,000 means about $140,000. Shop the budget collections, under $25,000, $25,000 to $50,000 and $50,000 to $100,000, against that allowance.

Costs that get forgotten

Removing old equipment and surfacing, the accessible route to the playground, borders and drainage, shade, site amenities, annual inspection and parts, and signage. Compare surfacing in surfacing options compared and check route rules in ADA playground requirements.

Where the savings are

Buying cheaper equipment usually costs more over ten years. Real savings come from phasing, surfacing choice and procurement. Buy the structure now and the shade and second age group next year. Pick surfacing for your maintenance staff, since loose fill is cheaper to install and costs more to keep up. Public agencies may be able to use a cooperative contract, described on the cooperative purchasing page. Installing in the shoulder season helps, and grants can cover part of it, as in grants for playground equipment.

Get an all-in number

Send your dimensions, age ranges, ZIP code and equipment allowance, and we return one firm price with freight, surfacing and installation included, usually within 24 hours. Start a quote, or see the buyer pages for schools, parks and churches.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a commercial playground cost?

Equipment runs from about $8,865 for a small quick-ship structure to $76,239 for a large shaded one. A finished project is typically $40,000 to $250,000 depending on the size and surfacing.

How much do playground swings cost?

Commercial swing sets run about $1,488 for a 1 bay Bi-Pod to $7,385 for a 4 bay Arch, equipment only.

What does a toddler play area cost?

The infant and toddler climber and play corral for ages 6 to 23 months run about $1,772 to $1,899.

Are these playground equipment prices final?

They are final for equipment. Freight is quoted to your ZIP code, and surfacing and installation are quoted separately or together in one proposal.

How much should I budget for surfacing?

Plan 15 to 25 percent of the total, set by the fall height of the tallest piece.

How do I keep maintenance costs down?

Inspect on a schedule, keep a small parts budget and choose surfacing you can maintain. See the inspection and maintenance guide.

Can we phase the purchase?

Yes. Buy the main structure first and add swings, shade and amenities later. Plan the layout up front with the playground layout guide.