Scale drawings: Your landscape architect, city engineering department or other professional can provide you with a scale drawing that shows site boundaries, dimensions, orientation, overall improvements and site details of the playground area.

Specifications: It is important to create a written specification of the materials that are to be used in your playground, compliance with regulations and industry standards, the engineering details of your play activities and safety features.

Costs: Using your budget as a starting point, create a detailed breakdown of planned expenditures for your site, equipment, installation and future maintenance.

Final steps: Before you sign a purchase order, you'll need to review the design specifications and obtain any required approvals. You can submit your drawings and specifications to a qualified supplier or suppliers.

When comparing bids or proposals from suppliers, carefully evaluate products proposed as to avoid compromises in safety and durability and materials. Your Landscape Structures representative can help you identify features and benefits for better analysis of all proposals.

The final decision on what to buy and where to buy should come from the person or committee that has been most involved in the planning process and is ultimately responsible for the playground's success. Playground equipment is like most other products - you get what you pay for. Selecting the "low bid" is often not the best decision.