Frances, A recent project I was just on at a Boys and Girls Club. They were able to get a whole bunch of huge tires from tractors and other big vehicles as an additional jungle gym for the kids to play on. It was a really great addition that was available to the kids. They were able to create a border with smaller tires, tubes, tunnels and huge tires to climb on!
Another way to help you go green, would be to try and include recycling bins next to the trash cans. Get people in your community always thinking about what they can be recyling opposed to dumping it right into the trash containers.
Hi Frances,
It's a huge trend these days to try to green our practices, and I'm so excited to hear that from the start you are thinking about it. As far as recycled materials go, you may be able to use old tires to create an obstacle course out side of your playground to help increase the amount of physical activity that the children are engaged in. Tires also make great planters (which has been suggested quite a few times in other replies), but you could always make each tire a different type of climate (like a dessert garden in one, more tropical plants in another, or maybe they could all be edible gardens- some with sweets, some with sours, etc). Also, there may be other local projects that have left overs that you might be able to use for things like benches and picnic tables. Many site remove old, out-dated equipment when building a new, improved playground. Many times the old climbers can be used to create a themed garden or play area.
Recently, on one of my cites, a giraffe and a fish climber where removed and will eventually be used to help climbing plants grow in the garden they have next to the playground site. These could also help create a theme around the playground where you might be able to include some fun facts about zoo animals or sea creatures or exoctic or local creatures to make the space a little more educational (if that is something that you are looking for). Please just remember, that playground equipment that is removed from another cite isn't necessarily something that should be recycled into your new playground. Many times once the equipment is removed it no longer meets playground standards (perhaps this is the reason it was removed in the first place) and likely the manufacturer warrenty no longer will cover the equipment.
Please let us know how your project goes! We would love to hear some new and innovative ideas or what you ended up using in your space!