6 Essentials For Any Recreational Trail
Enhance Your Community Trails with Durable Play Mart Benches and More
Play Mart is passionate about the idea that children and adults should spend as much time in mother nature as possible! While we have an extensive selection of quality recycled plastic playground equipment, our products don’t end there. We offer a full line of outdoor furnishings perfect for parks and recreational trails.
There is a lot more to recreational trails than just a cleared pathway. If you are considering adding a hiking or biking trail to your area or renovating an existing recreational trail, it needs to be outfitted with the right furnishings. Here are 6 essential elements to get your trail on track for success!
Essential #1: Park Benches
Providing rest spots along outdoor trails and paths is not only a matter of convenience for hikers and bikers; it is also a highly appreciated amenity that enhances the overall experience for all visitors. Trail benches are one of the best ways to provide this comfort without compromising the natural beauty of your outdoor environment.
Heavy-Duty Materials
When selecting materials for a park bench, consider durability, maintenance, and aesthetics. Play Mart’s exclusive Recycled Structural Plastic (RSP) is an excellent choice as it is graffiti-resistant, requires minimal upkeep, and is designed to mimic natural tones that blend seamlessly with the environment. Unlike traditional wooden benches, those made from recycled plastic are moisture-resistant and will not rot, rust, or splinter.
Our recycled plastic benches offer versatility in mounting options. Trail benches can be surface mounted, but many recreational trails choose in-ground park benches to thwart theft and vandalism.
Variety in Design
Jambette offers outdoor classroom equipment made of Canadian aluminum, heavy-duty steel and stainless steel hardware. The structures and tabletops are made of painted aluminum while seats are available in high density polyethylene (HDPE) or HPL. A large selection of colors is available. Need ideas? Download the brochure below to see 6 suggested layouts for your classroom!
The choice of recycled plastic does not limit design possibilities. In fact, benches from Play Mart come in an array of styles and colors, making it easy to match your trails’ aesthetic and budget. These include:
Leaving a Legacy
Besides providing rest and relaxation, these benches can also function as dedications or memorials. They can be engraved to feature business and personal donors or loved ones who have passed.
Essential #2: Picnic Tables
Play Mart’s recycled plastic picnic tables are the perfect spots to rest, refresh, and reconnect with nature for solitary adventurers or families and groups.
Our extensive range of quality picnic tables are designed with finesse and functionality at the forefront. Built to be sturdy and low-maintenance, our outdoor picnic tables ensure durability, making them an excellent addition to your recreational trails.
We believe in inclusivity and ensuring that recreational activities are accessible to all, regardless of physical ability. We are proud to offer a range of ADA-compliant picnic tables. Play Mart’s accessible picnic tables meet or exceed the ADA regulations, ensuring accessibility for everyone. The tables feature an extension at one end that makes them wheelchair-friendly.
Our styles include:
Each size is available in two color schemes: Mist tops with Latte supports or Latte tops with Chocolate supports.
Essential #3: Outdoor Trash Cans
We clearly care about preserving our planet at Play Mart. (See a video How We Turn Milk Jugs into Playgrounds.) We believe that enjoying nature’s beauty along hiking and biking trails should be a clean and refreshing experience. Unfortunately, the activities of our fellow outdoor enthusiasts can sometimes leave a trail strewn with litter and unwanted dog waste, diminishing the natural beauty of these places. One excellent solution is our RSP outdoor trash cans and waste receptacles.
Strategically placed trash cans help to maintain a clean and orderly path. When trash cans are easily accessible, trail users are more likely to dispose of their waste correctly instead of leaving it on the ground. Place them on bike paths next to picnic tables and benches, where visitors can relax and have a handy place to dispose of their waste responsibly.
Our durable plastic trash receptacles come with heavy-duty molded weather-resistant lids. These specially designed cans are a reliable and convenient means of trash disposal, able to stand up to the elements and rougher outdoor environments.
Essential #4: Dog Waste Stations
A walk or bike ride along a nature trail is even more fun when you can take along your furry best friend. However, this brings along the pesky nuisance of dog waste.
According to an environmental study by the EPA, the effects of dog waste on our environment are surprisingly severe. There are an estimated 72 million dogs in the United States, resulting in around 11 million tons of dog waste left behind every year.
And it’s not just unsightly. One gram of dog waste can contain up to 23 million fecal bacteria, and just 100 dogs can produce enough bacteria to close a beach to swimming and fishing. When dog waste is left on trails, it washes into our sewers and rivers and even contributes to harmful algae growth.
Yet, astonishingly, 40% of dog owners don’t pick up after their pets. This unfortunate habit leaves our trails polluted, affects our native wildlife, and poses a significant health risk to both humans and other dogs.
Strategically placing dog waste stations along hiking and biking trails is a simple but effective solution. Convenient access to waste bags and disposal options will likely encourage more dog owners to adhere to good practices, which can help keep your trail cleaner and safer.
Essential #5: Bicycle Racks
Cycling through nature can be a wonderful experience, so having a place to take a break and securely park your bike is essential. That’s where Play Mart’s commercial outdoor bike racks come into play.
Constructed from triple-coated galvanized and stainless steel, Play Mart’s commercial bike racks are robust and designed to withstand the elements and deter theft and vandalism. Plus, our meticulous welding process ensures these racks are rust-resistant and super smooth, eliminating any jagged edges that could cause potential damage to bikes.
Bike racks are ideally installed near restrooms, trailheads, and parking lots. This strategic positioning not only offers users easy access but also deters them from locking their bicycles onto other structures, such as benches, preserving the integrity and aesthetics of the site.
One key benefit of our bike racks is their versatility. Available in several shapes, sizes, and weights, our racks can accommodate any type of bike path at your ideal price point. Whether your trail’s users are riding mountain bikes, road bikes, or touring bikes, they’ll always have a secure place to park.
Essential #6: Trail Signs
Navigating through the serenity of rural areas while hiking or biking is an exhilarating experience. However, without proper guidance, the adventure can become confusing or even dangerous. Trail signs and markers play an essential role, helping nature lovers and adventure seekers explore and navigate paths safely and conveniently.
Trail Markers
A well-marked trail is the thumb rule for any hiking or biking path. A clear and visible hiking sign will guide hikers toward their destination and prevent them from getting lost. Our high-quality signs manufactured with heavy-duty RSP materials are the best way to mark trails for the safety and convenience of all users. Play Mart’s trail signs use engraved wording that stays visible for years. That means no worries about paint fading or symbols wearing off over time.
Fitness Trail Signs
Fitness trails are another innovative way to promote health and wellness at your local park. By installing Fitness Station Signs along the trail, hikers can enjoy the added benefits of outdoor workouts. Each directional sign offers beginner and advanced instructions and is made from our proprietary RSP that outperforms traditional wood signs. If you are interested in making an outdoor fitness course, look at our article on how to incorporate outdoor fitness in your community for guidance.
In addition to facilitating information on fitness and directions, Play Mart recreational signs are ideal for marking outdoor campsites, educational areas, water stations, and landmarks in local and national parks with custom symbols.
Message Centers
Play Mart also offers convenient message centers to post notices and other information for trail guests. These message centers are low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and provide plenty of space for park communications. UV resistance and vandalism resistance are added benefits.
Get on the right path with Play Mart!
Well-equipped walking and biking trails are a great way to attract local residents and visitors from afar. Shop Play Mart’s catalog of park amenities to make your recreational trail a highlight of your community. Get your trail up and running with Play Mart!
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