Shock absorbing, wheelchair accessible, recreational surface area and method of constructing same

Abstract

A recreational play area meeting a fall height requirement and being constructed essentially of one or more layers of shock absorbing synthetic material such as dimpled polystyrene, running to a perimeter structure consisting of nailer boards and collector drain. The shock absorbing layer is overlaid with polyethylene synthetic turf filled with a sand/rubber mixture for added shock attenuation.

1 . A method of constructing a recreational surface area over a stable base comprising the steps of:
 defining a perimeter of the area;   overlaying the area with one or more layers of shock absorbing synthetic sheet material to a thickness providing a fall height safety factor for the area; and   overlaying the shock absorbing material with synthetic turf.   
   
   
       2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of defining the perimeter includes the installation over the base of a nailer strip and overlaying the area with a thin impervious membrane. 
   
   
       3 . The method defined in  claim 2  including the further step of securing the impervious membrane to the nailer board strip. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of building a collector drain in the base along at least part of the perimeter. 
   
   
       5 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein the step of building a collector drain includes forming a trench, placing a perforated drain pipe in the trench and substantially filling the trench with stone. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  including the further step of securing an edge restraint to the nailer strip immediately adjacent the outer edges of the shock absorbing material. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the shock absorbing material comprises multiple layers and the bottommost of said multiple shock absorbing layers partially overlies the collector drain. 
   
   
       8 . The method bf  claim 1  wherein the base is graded toward the perimeter. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  including the further step of filling the artificial turn With a granular mixture made up of sand and rubber. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of grading the area around and outside of the perimeter with top soil and natural turf to be essentially flush with the synthetic turf overlying the area. 
   
   
       11 . A shock absorbing recreational surface constructed over a stable, substantially flat base layer comprising:
 a base;   at least one layer of shock absorbing synthetic prefabricated sheet material overlying the base; and   a layer of synthetic turf overlying the layer of shock absorbing synthetic sheet material.   
   
   
       12 . A recreational surface area as defined in  claim 11  wherein at least part of the area perimeter is defined by a collector drain. 
   
   
       13 . A recreational surface as defined in  claim 11  further including a nailer strip installed on the base restrainingly adjacent said layer of shock absorbing material, and an impervious sheet underlying the shock absorbing layer and secured to said nailer strip. 
   
   
       14 . A recreational area as defined in  claim 11  wherein the synthetic turf is filled. 
   
   
       15 . A resilient recreational area having a perimeter and comprising:
 a surface;   a layer of structurally bound resilient material placed over the foundation surface and having a thickness adequate to provide a predetermined degree of injury protection;   a layer of synthetic turf placed over the resilient material layer; and   a drain structure located adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter.   
   
   
       16 . A resilient recreational area as defined in  claim 15  further including an impervious drain blanket placed over the foundation but under the resilient material layer and partially overlying the drain structure.