West Seattle Playground mulch installation
Homeowner’s Issue
West Seattle yards are a mixed bag: wind and salt spray along Alki, deep shade under mature evergreens in the Admiral and Highland Park slopes, and compacted glacial till in older lots near Lincoln Park. The rainfall pattern (heavy October–April rains, dry-ish July–September) makes exposed soil turn into mud and erosion channels on steeper play areas. Shade and constant moisture invite moss and ivy, while sunny pockets near the bluff bake thin-soiled play spots into brittle dust. That combination means playground surfaces either wash away, get waterlogged, or thin out and fail to cushion falls.
HOAs and families want safe, low-maintenance surfacing that meets local expectations without chemical treatments. Sustainable wood chips or shredded bark work well here if installed correctly — enough depth for cushioning, proper edging to keep chips in place, and attention to drainage on slopes. Many West Seattle homes need a plan for runoff, root protection around big trees, and a maintenance schedule to keep leaf litter and storm debris from burying the safety layer. We install with local conditions front of mind: salt exposure on Alki, moss on shaded slopes, and steep driveway-adjacent play spaces that need erosion control rather than quick fixes.
Our Quality Service
We install playground-appropriate mulch using sustainable materials and hand-powered or electric tools to reduce disturbance. Work includes site assessment, measured depths for safety, grading where needed, and edge definition to keep chips in place. Typical installs for a yard-scale playground take a half day to one day depending on access and prep.
Local insight: Seattle’s wet season demands good drainage beds and raised profiles on slopes; summer is the best window to refresh surfacing and settle materials. We never use herbicides — all weed control is mechanical, thermal, or organic. Benefits: safer fall zones, stabilized slopes, improved curb appeal, and less yearly upkeep.
What’s Included
- Site assessment and safety briefing.
- Debris and old-mulch removal (green-bin or haul-away option).
- Ground prep: grading small slopes, adding drainage swales or berms as needed.
- Installation of playground-grade wood chips or shredded bark to recommended depths.
- Edging (timber, metal, or soil berm) to contain mulch.
- Final raking, compaction checks, and clean-up.
Options / Upgrades:
- Mulch + geotextile fabric (spot use only, hand-cut for root areas).
- Organic weed control: hand-pull, repeat follow-ups, and mulching for suppression.
- Compost top-dressing for planting beds around play zones.
- Haul-away vs. green-bin drop-off (we sort for local yard waste rules).
Before & After / Expectations
Expect some noise and a bit of mess on install day — trucks, rakes, and wheelbarrows. If access is tight (alley, stairs, or gate), tell us up front so we bring smaller equipment. Typical turnaround: estimate in 24–48 hours, install within a week if materials are in stock.
Debris handling: we separate green waste for the city composting program or haul away to approved facilities. Aftercare for West Seattle: watch for winter storms that can displace chips, sweep leaves off play areas in fall, and add a top-up in spring if depth has thinned. On shady, moss-prone sites, expect higher leaf accumulation and plan for annual maintenance.
FAQs (3–5)
- Q: When’s the best time to install?
A: Late spring through early fall — dry windows let chips settle and drainage work properly. - Q: How deep should playground mulch be?
A: Depth depends on product and fall height; typical yard installs range 6–12 inches. We measure and advise on-site. - Q: Do you use herbicides to control weeds?
A: No. We use hand removal, mulching, and organic methods only. - Q: What about slopes and drainage?
A: We build shallow berms, small swales, or terracing to keep chips in place and divert runoff safely.
Call to Action
If you’re in West Seattle and want a safer, low-maintenance playground surface — near Alki, Lincoln Park, or the Admiral — book a free estimate. We schedule quickly, show up on time, and use sustainable materials suited to local soil, sun, and storm patterns. Email neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com or call/text 206-538-9344 to set a time. Trusted local expertise, practical results, no herbicides.
