"The hundreds of people who take part find that they've gained an empowering sense of accomplishment, strong new friendships and
shared community pride." Leathers Associates
participation in the build will enable them to dream and reach for their goals in the future."
Here are 9 reasons why community built builds better playgrounds and better communities!
| Community -Everyone (children, teens and adults) is involved in the design. -The hundreds of people who take part find that they’ve gained an empowering sense of accomplishment, strong new friendships and shared community pride. -Our projects build bridges between community members who seldom interact. -This exceptional experience strengthens your community. |
| Accessibility -We provide play opportunities for children of all abilities. We integrate accessible elements throughout the structure to encourage shoulder-to-shoulder play. -Not all children with disabilities are wheelchair-bound: we have worked with schools for hearing-impaired and blind children as well as medically fragile children requiring close supervision. -We comply with ADA Accessibility. |
| Experience -We have worked with close to 2,000 communities over the past 35 years. -There are Leathers playgrounds in all 50 states and 7 other countries. -We coordinate the efforts of hundreds of volunteers at any one time. |
| Safety -The safety of children is our first and foremost concern. -Our designers, project managers, and consultants are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. -All designs are carefully developed, drawn, and built to conform with all current safety guidelines (ASTM F1487, CPSC Pub No. 325) and to fit site and utility requirements. |
| Service -Our staff will provide unsurpassed personal attention and guidance. |
| Design, Innovation, and Flexibility -Our designs are custom, one-of-a-kind and unique to each community. -Designs can incorporate local history, educational components, waterplay, and shade structures. -We’ll suggest innovative ways to make sure your playground encourages full participation by children of all abilities. -Community-built structures are educational centers or all ages. They make learning and playing fun. |
| Quality Materials -Our projects are built with a combination of a plastic composite (handrails, balusters, and decking) and either structural plastic or environmentally safe pressure-treated lumber for support. -All of the hardware has high quality exterior coatings. -Safety surfacing meets ASTM standards for impact attenuation (ASTM F1292) and accessibility (ASTM F1951). -When using wood, we apply a high-quality nontoxic sealer during construction, which helps keep the moisture content consistent in the wood. |
| Cost -You’ll save money by using volunteer labor and donated materials. -Leathers can tailor your project to fit your budget. -The commercial value of your playground will be two to three times the actual cost. |
| A Long-Lasting Structure -A properly maintained playground will last for 25 years. -Our in-house maintenance team is available for the life of your project. -We provide extensive maintenance information and a Long-Term Care Guide. |
* Source - the Leathers website