A smart approach to seasonal maintenance of playgrounds in Western Canada.

Seasonal maintenance is where most problems are prevented

In BC and Western Canada, weather drives wear: rain, freeze/thaw, heavy use in spring/summer, and debris in fall.

A simple seasonal playground maintenance routine keeps small issues from turning into expensive repairs.

Winter playground maintenance (as needed)

Winter is about safety and damage prevention.

What to do:

• Remove hazards after storms (branches, debris)
• Watch for ice buildup and slippery access routes
• Check drainage paths (pooling water becomes ice)
• Confirm signage/closures if your site requires it

Quick winter checklist

• Debris removed: Yes/No
• Drainage paths clear: Yes/No
• No obvious ice hazards at entries: Yes/No
• Any damage documented with photos: Yes/No

Spring start-up: spring playground inspection

Spring is your best time to do a more thorough walkthrough.

What to look for:

• Hardware loosened by freeze/thaw
• Surfacing low spots (especially at high-use landings)
• Drainage issues that showed up over winter
• Cracked components or worn moving parts

Spring playground inspection checklist:

• Full site cleanup complete: Yes/No
• Hardware check completed: Yes/No
• Surfacing even in high-use areas: Yes/No
• Borders/transitions intact: Yes/No
• Drainage/pooling issues noted: Yes/No
• Repair list created + prioritized: Yes/No

Summer peak-use (bonus)

Summer is when small wear points show up fast.

• Increase visual checks (higher traffic)
• Address small issues quickly (caps, loose hardware)
• Watch surfacing migration/low spots

Fall prep

Fall is about setting the site up for winter.

What to do:

• Clear leaves/debris from drainage paths
• Plan repairs before cold weather and rain windows close
• Confirm signage and borders are secure

Fall prep checklist:

• Drainage paths cleared: Yes/No
• Repairs scheduled before winter: Yes/No
• Surfacing/borders checked: Yes/No
• Records updated and saved: Yes/No

Want a seasonal checklist tailored to your surfacing type (EWF vs PIP vs turf) and site use (school vs park)?