Saint Andrew’s School

Location: Chicago, Ill.
Surface System Used: PlayBound™ Poured-In-Place
Completion: October 2023

Overview

Saint Andrew’s School is a top-rated, private Catholic institution, serving pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville neighborhood on the northside of Chicago, Ill. With a rich history dating back to 1902, St. Andrew’s prides itself on eleven philosophies, one of which is: Participating in athletics and physical education builds teamwork and physical well-being. Recognizing the need for students to unwind and exercise, St. Andrew’s created a new playground called the Ackermann Playlot for the nearly 500 students who attend the school.

Key Challenges and Solutions

To ensure this project was done correctly and with the highest quality safety standards, Saint Andrew’s enlisted the help of Surface America, because of its high-quality standards. This includes being IPEMA-certified and ADA-compliant for poured, turf, and tile systems, as well as offering installation service.

For the 1,700-square-foot Ackermann Playlot, Saint Andrew’s selected the PlayBound™ Poured-In-Place playground surface. This rubber surfacing is the most-used safety playground surface and comes with the industry’s longest warranty – 7 years. Its recycled material components are sourced from the U.S., and it has virtually unlimited design possibilities. The design pattern and plan St. Andrew’s selected feature five different colors, shapes, and a fish design. The PlayBound surface was installed with Surface America’s partner, Unicor.

The rubber and urethane components used for the Ackermann Playlot were mixed and applied on-site. Although playground surface shapes can be challenging for installation crews to put in, Surface America only uses installers who are familiar with its surfaces and have a set routine to ensure colors do not blend and the seams remain tight.

Now that the new playground is complete, the students of Saint Andrew’s have been enjoying the Ackermann Playlot. The administration is pleased to have a safe surface that complements the playground equipment and the school.