Why Playgrounds Matter More Than We Realise and Why Asset Management Matters Too

by | Jan 22, 2026 | Asset Management, Audit and Compliance, Community Connectivity, GIS, local government, Property Management, Risk Management, SaaS, Workforce Management

Why Playgrounds Matter More Than We Realise and Why Asset Management Matters Too

David Jenkin’s article “Why Playgrounds Matter More Than We Realise” in IPWEA Insite Community News is a timely reminder that parks and playgrounds are far more than recreational spaces they are places where communities connect, children grow, and families recharge.

What the article beautifully highlights is the experience.

What often goes unseen is the work required to keep those spaces safe, healthy, and trusted.

Behind every great park is careful management of both built assets and green environmental assets.

✔️ Soft-fall areas that are regularly inspected and maintained so children can play safely
✔️ Splash parks with well-maintained filtration systems to prevent illness from contaminated water
✔️ Clear grounds free of trip hazards for kids, parents, and grandparents
✔️ Routine mowing and vegetation management, not just for aesthetics, but to reduce hidden risks in warmer climates where long grass can conceal hazards
✔️ Trees and canopy assets that are routinely assessed, maintained, and monitored to reduce the risk of falling branches and ensure public safety

These are the details that transform a park from a space into a safe community asset.

The community plays a vital role too.

When parents or carers notice a loose bolt, damaged soft-fall, broken play equipment, seating, or a fallen branch, they need an easy way to report it right there, while they’re at the playground. That’s where Omni helps close the loop.

Omni helps councils:

  • Enable the community to report faults directly from the park or playground
  • Automatically capture the location and link the report to the correct asset
  • Automatically notify teams when inspections and scheduled maintenance are due
  • Manage green assets like trees with documented condition assessments and risk ratings
  • Ensure safety and compliance across playgrounds, soft-fall areas, and splash parks
  • Create and assign work orders to the right crew, contractor, or arborist
  • Direct trades, arborists, contractors, and park managers straight to the exact asset, no confusion, no delays
  • Maintain a single source of truth for inspections, defects, works, and maintenance history

When parks are managed well, families don’t think about risk they just enjoy the moment.

A genuine thank you to the councils, parks, and asset teams who design, build, maintain, and protect these spaces.

You’re not just managing infrastructure you’re safeguarding places that communities rely on and create memories that last a lifetime.