West Des Moines Play Area Borders & Surfacing Services
Hello, West Des Moines! If you’ve got a backyard play space, you know it can take a beating—rain, kids, pets, and the occasional muddy paw. When borders fail or surfacing wears down, you’re left with a muddy mess, weeds, and potential trip hazards. That’s where we come in! We specialize in creating simple, safe, and tidy play areas that not only look fantastic but are easy to maintain.
What’s the Problem?
Does this sound familiar?
- Chips or gravel spilling into your lush lawn and flower beds—no edge restraint or the border has heaved out of place.
- Low surfacing depth under swings or at slide exits, exposing hardpan (yikes!).
- Water pooling in the pit, with fabric clogging up and causing drainage issues.
- Uneven border heights leading to trip hazards and mowing headaches.
What We Build (and Why It Works)
Borders that Stay Put
- Timber “play timbers” (ground-contact rated) secured with rebar spikes for tidy radiuses and clean corners.
- Steel or aluminum edging for sleek, low-profile perimeters that make mowing a breeze.
- Paver or stone bands for a more polished look when you want to elevate your play area.
- Concrete mow strips to prevent aggressive turf creep and maintain high-traffic edges.
Surfacing Options
- Play chips / Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) — our top pick for residential areas; provides excellent fall absorption when installed at the right depth.
- Washed pea gravel (select use) — decorative only; not ideal for toddlers, wheelchairs, or steep slopes.
- Rubber tiles/mats (select zones) — perfect for slide exits and swing landings to minimize scatter.
- Stabilized fines path leading to the play area for a clean, non-muddy approach.
Under the Hood
- Separation geotextile beneath the pit to keep soil from mixing with the chips.
- Crushed rock base and drainage for areas where clay tends to hold water.
- Top dress depth set just right and measured at high-wear zones.
Remember, we don’t put landscape fabric above the surface. It clogs, floats, and creates slip layers. Fabric goes underneath, not on top!
Safety & Depth (Straight Talk)
For residential play chip pits, we typically install 9–12” loose (settles to about 9”). We also conduct regular checks and re-top high-wear zones (like under swings and slide exits). If you’re part of a homeowners association or school and require a CPSI review for public playground compliance, we can definitely help coordinate that!
Coverage Math (Order the Right Amount)
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cu ft
- At 12” depth → 27 sq ft/yd³
- At 9” depth → 36 sq ft/yd³
- Example: For a 12’ × 16’ pit at 9” → 192 sq ft ÷ 36 ≈ 5.3 yd³ (order 6 yd³ to account for raking out and settling).
Details That Keep It Clean
- Flush entries or rubber transition mats at gates to prevent chips from migrating out.
- Border reveal set to ½–1” for a crisp mower line.
- Slope and swales to direct water away from the pit, not through it.
- No cocoa mulch (it’s toxic to dogs), ever!
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Routine)
Think of us as your yard’s personal trainers! Our maintenance plan includes:
- Depth checks & top-ups — we measure, document, and add material where needed.
- Rake & re-level — pulling chips back from borders and regrading wear zones.
- Edge patrol — re-pin loose edging and repair trip lips at entries.
- Weed control — we prioritize IPM-first hand pulls for windblown seeds.
- Drainage clear-outs — ensuring underdrains and inlets remain open for a dry pit.
Our goal is to keep it low-maintenance—fewer problems between visits means less work for you!
Service Cadences (Pick What Fits)
- Quarterly — spring/fall reset plus two light touch-ups (perfect for areas with big tree litter).
- Bi-Monthly — ideal for heavy use (think kids + dogs) or windy/sandy sites.
(New installs with brand-new swingsets? Start monthly for the first 60–90 days while everything settles, then taper off.)
What Annual Maintenance Includes
- A depth log with photos and a simple map of wear zones.
- Top-up delivery, spreading, and a tidy border cleanup.
- Entry transition repair and rubber mat checks.
- Weed sweep and spot treatment (IPM-first).
- Drainage test after a hose run to ensure proper shedding.
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- Safety — maintaining proper depth where falls happen most.
- Cleanliness — keeping chips in the box, not in your lawn or garage.
- Longevity — ensuring borders and drainage last with proper care.
- Lower cost — small, regular top-ups save you from costly pit rebuilds down the line.
How It Works
- Free Estimate — we can do this via photos, video, or a quick walkthrough to provide clear, upfront pricing.
- Plan & Layout — we’ll discuss border styles, surfacing choices, drainage routes, and access points.
- Build Day — we excavate, lay fabric/base, set borders, place surfacing, and finish clean.
- Follow-Up — you’ll receive a depth log, care tips, and a maintenance schedule that suits your needs.
Why West Des Moines Chooses Neat & Tidy
- We’re a local crew that understands the clay pockets, winter rain, and tight alleys of West Des Moines.
- Licensed & insured; we always call 811 before we dig.
- Upfront pricing — materials, labor, hauling, and disposal are all included.
- We deliver on-time, respectful, clean work (no chips sprayed into your garden beds).
- Our green-first approach emphasizes durable borders, smart drainage, and minimal landfill impact.
Ready for a play area that stays safe and tidy?
Call or text Neat & Tidy for borders and surfacing that endure West Des Moines’s weather and summer play marathons. We’ll keep it tidy—so you can focus on the fun!
