Bark for play area for kids

[fireisdangerous]

Morning,

I had a paved area in my garden that that I have boxed in for want of a better work and plan to fill it with bark and use it for a play area for my son. I have 2 questions:

Do I need to cover that patio are with a layer of thick bin liners or that breathable fabric before covering with bark?

What is best bark to use, I was going to use that cheap normal bark as the bottem layer then thick bits on the top couple of layers? Also seen stuff labled as "play bark" but this is smaller bits of bark.

cheers Tony

 

[fireisdangerous]

Hi, was going to have a thick layer of bark, its just going to have his outdoor kitchen, not a climbing frame or anything he is going to fall from hight onto. Maybe a sand pit.

 

[fireisdangerous]

Good quality weed fabric couple of layers, (don't be tempted into cheap pound store stuff, false economy!) then a good thick layer of bark, like 4-6 inches. Be aware though, the bark will degrade/rot down especially if it's being tramped on lots. This then forms the perfect medium for weed seeds, think forest floor without the shade!! Slugs and other things like worms and woodlice love bark too, it's nice and damp underneath for when the sun comes out. Cats enjoy bark areas too, for me a lid for the sandpit was a must, didn't want the kids finding 'that' sort of buried 'treasure'! Good Luck

Thanks for the tips, I've made quite a big area so I might grab a plastic sheet to cover it when not in use.

@itsallaboutyou looked a rubber bark/pellets but its super expensive.

 

[fireisdangerous]

Thanks, I have plenty of soil I need to get rid of after removing a large vegetable patch.

 

[fireisdangerous]

remembered this thread from a while back

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/bark-for-play-area.18666929/#post-27931806

We are going to do our garden in stages so think I will stick with bark as its cheaper and can always relocate it to flower beds if I (wife) changes her mind!!