"Ulysses" wrote in message
...

"theedudenator" wrote in message
...
I will be building a backyard playground this spring.
I have been searching online and most of what I find is "free plans"

I was planning on using pea gravel as a base, but I want to make sure
I have proper drainage.

I was planning on leveling and digging down some with my tractor.
Installing all of the poles
Putting down a heavy layer of plastic
Timbers around the edges to contain the gravel.
Then filling with pea gravel.

But I think I need to add something for drainage.

I've had very good results with grass. It gets bare spots under the
swings,
but that's just the way it is.

I bought a "kit" from a lumber store (and all of the lumber, of course).
From my experience with two girls using it the hardware that comes with it
is too wimpy. Forget about using 5/16" bolts and get 1/2". Install the
posts (including the A frame, if you have one) in several hundred pounds
of
concrete. Get some good quality heavy-duty swing hardware that is meant
for
a real playground and attach with 1/2" bolts. Also get some 800 pound
chain
for the swings and forget about the small chain that comes with most
backyard swing sets. Don't use anything smaller than 4x4s for the
structure. If it calls for a 2x6 brace use a 2x10 instead and four bolts
to
attach it instead of two. If you have boys then you might have to beef it
up a little more ;-)



Also very good advice.....