Planning
At the earliest stages, we provide expert information, insight and expertise to help develop a big picture for projects that find the perfect balance of goals, innovation and budget. We will also help work with all project participants to ensure accurate understanding and collaboration.
Help ensure positive outcomes by engaging Sparks@Play early in the planning process. Our team brings more than 35 years of planning and consulting experience to your project. We make sure the goals of your project are reflected accurately in designs and planning.
Knowledge saves money. Avoid cost overruns by initially estimating the project correctly. We’ll help you gain insight, visibility and control of the cost drivers associated with your project.
Ensure continuous and efficient development and construction operations. We’ll forecast the project timeline, materials, equipment and personnel required.
Site Assessment
Ensure the goals of your project are compatible with the proposed site. Our skilled personnel will help determine the general suitability of the site as well as how it can be best utilized.
Regardless of the size of your project, planning for the effective use of the site is critical to success. Our team helps evaluate and layout your site to create themed areas, match anticipated use patterns and blend with the natural environment.
Obtain important information about your site and its surroundings. This critical step identifies safety concerns for site users and potential negative impact on the immediate environment. This plays an important role in site utilization planning—beginning with the construction phase and continuing throughout a long-term life cycle.
Early site assessment helps identify and avoid cost overruns during the construction phase as well as during long-term maintenance. Location of existing utilities, elevations and water runoff and subsoils are just a few of the topics that must be considered early in the planning process.
Innovators in Inclusive & Accessible Environments
Informed planning creates facilities that can be enjoyed by all. We create environments that welcome individuals of all abilities to learn, play and have fun together. Our design and consulting teams follow the Seven Principals of Universal Design.
| Principle | Description | |
| 1: | Equitable Use | The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. |
| 2: | Flexibility in Use | The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. |
| 3: | Simple and Intuitive Use | Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. |
| 4: | Perceptible Information | The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. |
| 5: | Tolerance for Error | The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. |
| 6: | Low Physical Effort | The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. |
| 7: | Size and Space for Approach and Use | Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility. |
Safety at Play
Whether its on a playground, in a park or during sports, safety is a top priority at Sparks@Play. Creating safe play environments begins at the earliest stages of planning. Our consultants and designers have the experience to design and construct environments to minimize the opportunity for serious injury.
Age and use appropriate structures are of critical importance to safety. We partner with the world’s leading manufacturers to source the most appropriate structures that match users needs and capabilities. This applies equally to playground equipment, amphitheaters or sports fields.
Choose the appropriate, safe surface that matches your intended users. A surface can be equally effective at preventing falls or easing the impact of a fall. Our designers have access to proven, innovative surface materials. From natural turf to poured rubber and engineered wood fiber, we’ll help you make safe choices.
Sparks@Play installed environments adhere to global safety standards for play environments:
- ASTM F1487-11 Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public use.
- CAN/CSA-Z614-14 excluding clauses 9.8, 10, and 11 – Children’s Playspaces and Equipment
- ASTM F1292-13 – Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems
- ASTM F2075-15- Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface
- ASTM F3012 – Standard for Loose-Fill Rubber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface
Affordability & Budgeting
Let’s get the numbers right.
Sparks@Play provides a wide array of preconstruction planning and consulting services, including budgeting, cost modeling and estimating. More than 35 years of project development and construction experience and access to industry-insider information provides a rich database to aid informed budgeting for playgrounds, parks and sports infrastructure.
Our team will review your entire project and identify opportunities to deliver the greatest value.
Learn more about our services. Contact us today!