Recycled rubber creates safe and accessible community parks and playgrounds
Communities are tasked with finding the best ways to build safe, sustainable, and inclusive recreational areas. Local leaders, parks and recreation directors, administrators, and government officials are often expected to move the needle on these foundational aspects in their counties.
However, one material that’s often found in these areas occasionally sparks controversy despite definitive scientific research backing its safety. Recycled rubber is a sustainable material processed from end-of-life tires that are transformed into new materials. During recycling, the tires are cleaned, shredded, and processed, forming a material called “crumb rubber.”
Crumb rubber infill can be found in recreational spaces, including playgrounds, parks, and playing fields. The material has contributed to making these areas more durable, as it absorbs impact, drains quickly, reduces maintenance costs, and keeps fields open even after inclement weather.
