Manufacturer Spotlight: Action Play Systems

Manufacturer Spotlight: Action Play Systems — The Playground Essentials That Make a Big Difference

Discover how Action Play Systems helps schools, child care centers, churches, parks, and communities create better playground environments with durable borders, ADA access ramps, wear mats, Gaga ball pits, and more.

When most people think about purchasing commercial playground equipment, they picture slides, climbing structures, swings, and other activities that children love.

But what about everything surrounding the playground?

The borders that keep safety surfacing contained. The ramps that provide accessible entry points. The wear mats that help protect high-traffic areas. Or the additional activities that can turn an ordinary outdoor space into something children look forward to using every day.

These components may not always be the first things organizations think about when planning a playground, but they can make a significant difference in safety, accessibility, maintenance, and overall functionality.

That's why we're excited to feature Action Play Systems (APS) in the fourth installment of our Manufacturer Spotlight Series.

At Level Up Playground Consulting & Equipment, we believe a successful playground involves much more than selecting the right structure. It's about creating a complete outdoor environment that works for the children who use it and the organizations responsible for maintaining it.

Let's take a closer look at Action Play Systems and the products that make this manufacturer worth considering.

Who Is Action Play Systems?

Founded in March 2011, Action Play Systems is a commercial playground product manufacturer based in Cornelius, North Carolina.

Unlike manufacturers that primarily focus on large playground structures, Action Play Systems specializes in practical playground products designed to support safety surfacing, accessibility, maintenance, and additional play opportunities.

The company distributes its products through a nationwide network of playground equipment dealers and serves schools, child care centers, churches, municipalities, and recreation facilities.

Action Play Systems focuses on delivering durable, cost-effective products while helping organizations address some of the everyday challenges associated with commercial playgrounds.

Its product offerings include:

• Commercial playground borders

• ADA playground access ramps

• Playground wear mats

• Gaga ball pits

• Gaga ball pit flooring

• Sandboxes

• TripleShoot playground games

What makes Action Play Systems particularly interesting is its attention to the smaller details that can have a major impact on how a playground performs over time.

1. Playground Borders: Keeping Safety Surfacing Where It Belongs

One of the most overlooked components of a commercial playground is the border surrounding the play area.

For playgrounds using loose-fill safety surfacing, such as engineered wood fiber or rubber mulch, borders help contain the material within the designated playground space.

Without effective containment, surfacing can spread into surrounding areas, creating additional maintenance and cleanup requirements.

Action Play Systems manufactures playground borders designed to provide a durable alternative to traditional wood timbers.

What Makes APS Playground Borders Different?

APS playground borders are available in 8-inch and 12-inch heights and feature a patented surfacing guide.

This guide acts as a visual reference, allowing maintenance staff to quickly evaluate the depth of loose-fill surfacing along the border.

The borders also feature a snap-in-spike design intended to simplify handling and installation.

For organizations responsible for maintaining playgrounds, these features can make routine inspections more convenient.

Why Playground Borders Matter

Properly installed playground borders can help:

• Contain loose-fill safety surfacing

• Reduce material spreading into surrounding areas

• Create a defined playground perimeter

• Support routine surfacing maintenance

• Improve the overall appearance of the playground

It's important to remember that maintaining appropriate surfacing depth is essential.

Even with quality borders, loose-fill material can shift, compact, or become displaced over time.

Regular inspections and maintenance remain necessary to ensure the surfacing continues to provide appropriate impact protection.

2. ADA Playground Ramps: Supporting Accessible Playgrounds

Accessibility should be considered from the beginning of every commercial playground project.

Children and caregivers need appropriate routes into and around playground environments, and transitions between surrounding surfaces and playground areas can create challenges.

Action Play Systems offers ADA playground access ramp systems designed to work with its playground borders.

These ramps can help provide smoother transitions into loose-fill playground areas.

Why Accessible Playground Entry Matters

When designing a playground, accessibility involves much more than simply selecting a structure with accessible features.

Organizations should also consider:

• Accessible routes leading to the playground

• Transitions between surrounding surfaces and the play area

• Playground entry points

• Appropriate surfacing materials

• Accessible play activities and circulation routes

• Applicable ADA requirements

APS ramps can be one component of a broader accessible playground design.

However, an ADA access ramp alone does not make an entire playground ADA compliant. The complete site, routes, surfacing, and play components must be evaluated together.

For schools, child care centers, churches, and community organizations, thoughtful accessibility planning helps create outdoor environments that can serve more children and families.

3. Playground Wear Mats: Protecting High-Traffic Areas

Have you ever noticed how quickly playground surfacing can become displaced beneath swings or at the bottom of slides?

These areas experience repeated activity throughout the day.

Over time, loose-fill safety surfacing can shift away from high-use locations, potentially reducing the depth of material where impact protection is needed.

Action Play Systems offers playground wear mats designed for high-traffic areas, including swing bays, slide exits, and other locations where repeated movement can displace surfacing.

Why Wear Mats Are Important

Wear mats can help:

• Reduce displacement of loose-fill surfacing

• Minimize the frequency of surfacing redistribution

• Support playground maintenance efforts

• Protect heavily used areas

• Improve the long-term functionality of playground surfacing systems

APS offers wear mat options for different playground applications, including swing and slide areas and spinner locations.

Some products may also be used with other surfacing systems when compatible with the specific installation.

A Smart Addition to Playground Planning

For child care centers and schools, maintenance time is valuable.

Staff members already have numerous responsibilities, and playground maintenance can easily become another task competing for attention.

Including appropriate wear mats in the original playground design may help reduce some of the routine work associated with displaced surfacing.

Wear mats are not a substitute for compliant safety surfacing or regular inspections, but they can be a useful part of an overall playground maintenance strategy.

4. Gaga Ball Pits: Bringing More Active Play to Your Outdoor Space

Not every playground improvement needs to involve a traditional climbing structure.

Sometimes, adding a new activity can completely change how children use an outdoor space.

Gaga ball has become a popular recreational game in schools, camps, churches, and community settings.

The game is typically played inside an enclosed pit, where participants use their hands to strike a ball and try to eliminate other players by hitting them below the knees.

The rules can be adapted to suit different ages, abilities, and program needs.

Action Play Systems offers several Gaga ball pit options, including standard in-ground, premium, and portable GaGa2Go configurations.

Why Organizations Consider Gaga Ball Pits

Gaga ball can encourage:

• Physical movement and coordination

• Quick decision-making

• Hand-eye coordination

• Social interaction

• Friendly competition

• Group participation

For schools, camps, churches, and recreation programs, a Gaga ball pit can provide an additional activity that encourages children to get moving and interact with their peers.

Indoor and Outdoor Options

Depending on the model and installation requirements, APS Gaga ball pits can be considered for indoor or outdoor recreational spaces.

This flexibility can make them appealing for organizations looking to expand activity options without installing another large playground structure.

Before purchasing, it's important to review the dimensions, installation requirements, intended users, supervision needs, and appropriate flooring or surfacing.

5. Gaga Ball Pit Flooring: Another Detail Worth Considering

In addition to Gaga ball pits, Action Play Systems offers flooring kits designed for Gaga play areas.

The company's flooring kits use interlocking recycled rubber mats and are available in multiple sizes.

These products can help organizations create a more defined playing surface inside a Gaga ball pit.

When evaluating flooring, organizations should consider:

• Compatibility with the selected Gaga ball pit

• Installation requirements

• Drainage and site conditions

• Maintenance and cleaning

• The intended recreational use

A well-planned Gaga ball area should consider both the pit and the surface beneath it.

6. Sandboxes: Encouraging Sensory Exploration and Imaginative Play

For younger children, some of the most meaningful outdoor experiences happen through simple, open-ended activities.

Sand play is a great example.

Children can dig, scoop, pour, build, experiment, and create using their imagination.

These experiences can encourage fine motor development, cooperation, creativity, and sensory exploration.

Action Play Systems offers complete sandbox packages constructed using its playground border system.

The manufacturer lists sandbox options in three sizes:

• 4' x 8'

• 8' x 8'

• 12' x 12'

The packages include covers, providing organizations with a convenient starting point for creating a dedicated sand play area.

Why Sand Play Is Valuable in Early Childhood

For child care centers and preschools, sandboxes can offer opportunities for:

• Sensory exploration

• Fine motor development

• Imaginative play

• Cooperative activities

• Early math and science concepts

• Problem-solving and experimentation

Sand play can also complement other outdoor learning activities, such as mud kitchens, water tables, and dramatic play environments.

As with any sandbox, organizations should establish appropriate cleaning, covering, inspection, and maintenance procedures.

7. TripleShoot: A Different Kind of Playground Activity

Action Play Systems also offers TripleShoot, a recreational game designed to provide another way for children to engage in active outdoor play.

TripleShoot features a vertical pole-mounted target with multiple openings, creating opportunities for participants to practice tossing and aiming.

This type of activity can complement traditional playground equipment by offering a different form of movement and interaction.

For schools, recreation facilities, and community organizations, adding a game-based activity can help diversify an outdoor play environment.

It may also provide opportunities for group games, coordination practice, and friendly competition.

What Makes Action Play Systems Different?

While many commercial playground manufacturers focus primarily on complete play structures, Action Play Systems concentrates on products that help playgrounds function more effectively.

Its approach emphasizes three important areas.

Practical Playground Maintenance

Products such as playground borders and wear mats are designed to address common maintenance challenges associated with loose-fill safety surfacing.

Accessibility and Playground Planning

ADA ramp systems provide options for addressing transitions into playground areas as part of a complete accessibility plan.

Additional Play Opportunities

Gaga ball pits, sandboxes, and TripleShoot games allow organizations to introduce new recreational activities without necessarily purchasing another full playground structure.

This combination makes APS an interesting manufacturer for organizations that are building new playgrounds or improving existing ones.

Who Should Consider Action Play Systems?

Action Play Systems products may be particularly useful for:

Child Care Centers and Preschools

Playground borders, ADA ramps, wear mats, and sandboxes can support the needs of early childhood outdoor environments.

Elementary Schools

Schools may benefit from surfacing maintenance products, accessible entry solutions, Gaga ball pits, and additional recreation activities.

Churches and Faith-Based Organizations

Churches can explore APS products when creating or updating playgrounds, youth activity spaces, and recreational areas.

Parks and Municipalities

Public playgrounds often experience significant daily use, making durable borders, appropriate access routes, and maintenance considerations especially important.

Camps and Recreation Programs

Gaga ball pits and game-based activities can provide additional opportunities for movement, teamwork, and group recreation.

Why Playground Maintenance Should Be Part of Your Budget

One of the biggest mistakes organizations can make is focusing exclusively on the initial playground purchase price.

A playground is a long-term investment.

Once the equipment is installed, the organization becomes responsible for inspections, maintenance, surfacing upkeep, and ongoing safety considerations.

Products that help reduce routine maintenance demands can provide value beyond their initial purchase price.

For example, playground borders can help contain loose-fill surfacing, while wear mats can reduce displacement in high-use areas.

These products don't eliminate maintenance, but they may help make ongoing playground care more manageable.

When planning your project, it's worth considering not only what your playground will cost to install, but also what it will take to maintain it over time.

How Level Up Playground Consulting & Equipment Can Help

At Level Up Playground Consulting & Equipment, we believe every successful playground starts with thoughtful planning.

Whether you're purchasing a new playground structure, replacing worn borders, exploring accessible entry solutions, or adding new activities, the details matter.

With experience in both early childhood education and the commercial playground industry, we understand the importance of balancing play value, safety considerations, maintenance needs, and budget.

Our goal is to help organizations make informed decisions about their outdoor environments.

Action Play Systems offers products that address several of the practical challenges organizations face when managing commercial playgrounds.

And understanding those options can help you make smarter decisions about your next playground project.

Ready to Improve Your Playground?

Sometimes, the biggest improvements come from focusing on the details.

A better playground border. A thoughtfully planned access ramp. Wear mats in high-traffic areas. Or a new Gaga ball pit that gives children another reason to get outside and play.

These additions can make a meaningful difference in how your outdoor space functions.

If you're planning a new commercial playground or looking for ways to improve an existing one, Level Up Playground Consulting & Equipment can help you explore your options.

Let's talk about your playground, your priorities, and your budget—and find solutions that make sense for your organization.

Visit www.levelupplaygrounds.com or email sales@levelupplaygrounds.com to start the conversation.

Level Up Playground Consulting & Equipment

Where better play begins.