More than 5,700 scrap tires, which are banned from landfills, found a retirement home at the playground, seen below under construction. Crumb rubber, made from the sidewall of scrap tires, is an appealing, environmentally friendly alternative. It will not scratch play equipment, flooring or knees and is less harmful if thrown. It is not slippery, dries rapidly, and melts snow quickly due to its tendency to retain some heat. The cost is comparable to gravel when delivery, border height and proper depth are considered.
Children love the spongy feel.
These facts made the choice easy for us - a safer playground that benefited the environment without pinching our wallet. The latex in tires is not the same as the allergy-causing latex in gloves, and any minuscule allergy risk is more than offset by the increased safety of this surfacing. After all, children have been swinging on tires for a century, and average playground usage does not release tiny lung-injuring particles. Crumb rubber also is unlikely to harbor mold and other allergens. While crumb rubber is flammable, it actually is more difficult to ignite than mulch.