Where’s the Best Place to Put the BERG Playbase in Your Garden? (An Irish Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the perfect spot for your BERG Playbase is a bigger decision than it first appears. Yes, it needs to fit—and yes, it should look great—but the best location also keeps kids safer, protects your lawn, preserves your neighbours’ peace, and helps you get the longest life (and the most fun!) out of your investment.

As a general rule, choose a level, well-drained spot with clear space around it, good visibility from the house, and shelter from strong winds. Avoid overhead obstacles and ensure soft, safe surfacing underneath.

At Trampolines Ireland we’ve helped thousands of families place trampolines and play frames in real Irish gardens—compact city terraces, long suburban lawns, windy coastal plots, and everything in between. This guide distils what works in the real world, specifically for the modular, modern BERG Playbase.

Below you’ll find a practical, step-by-step approach to picking a spot, plus pro tips on space, ground conditions, sunshine and wind, sightlines for supervision, safety clearances, and surfacing. We’ll also touch on Irish-specific considerations like rain, drainage, and those prevailing south-westerlies.

First, What Makes the Playbase Unique?

The BERG Playbase is a minimalist steel A-frame with a horizontal top bar that accepts a wide range of attachments: classic swings, nest swings, gym rings, climbing nets, monkey bars, pull-up bars, and more. Because you can change the configuration as your children grow—or swap in fitness modules for the adults—the “best place” isn’t just about today’s layout. It’s about choosing a location that will still work when the setup evolves (and when your 5-year-old becomes 10… then 14).

Implication: pick a spot that accommodates movement in all directions, allows a safe “fall zone”, and offers comfortable access for future reconfiguration.

The 5-Step Method to Pick the Right Spot

Step 1: Sketch your garden (no art skills required).
Draw your boundaries, house, doors, windows, shed, oil tank, clothesline, trees, hardstanding, and any existing play gear. Note where you typically supervise from (kitchen window, patio, home office).

Step 2: Mark your “can’t hit” zones.
List obstacles the Playbase must avoid: overhead branches, fences and walls, glazing, garden furniture, plant beds, power/utility routes, septic elements, and anything with sharp edges or hard corners.

Step 3: Identify two or three candidate areas.
Favour flat or gently sloping lawn areas with good drainage and decent visibility from the house. If your garden slopes significantly, a terrace or retaining edge could transform a “maybe” into a “yes”.

Step 4: Check safety clearances.
As a rule of thumb for home play equipment: aim for at least 2.0 metres of unobstructed clearance around moving parts (e.g., swings) and at least 1.5 metres around static climbing elements. If you plan a nest swing or more dynamic accessories, be more generous in front and behind the swing arc. Always defer to the BERG manual for the exact clearances for your model and chosen attachments.

Step 5: Road-test the spot.
Stand where your child will play. Swing an imaginary arc with your arm; pretend to jump off the last climbing hold; walk the run-up to the ladder. Watch where you’d land or run. Can you see this zone from your supervision point? Is there room for pals? Is there a path for muddy boots?

Do those five steps and you’ll eliminate 80% of placement problems before a spade hits soil.

The Golden Criteria (What “Good” Looks Like)

1) Safety First: Space & Clearances

Forward/back clearance for swings: Keep a generous buffer beyond the furthest swing arc. When in doubt, give more space to the front/back than to the sides.
Side clearance: Even confident swingers wobble. Leave a comfortable lateral gap to posts, fences, trees, and walls.
Fall zones under climbing items: The ground under bars, nets, and climbing holds should be level, soft-ish, and free of obstructions.
Overhead clearance: No branches, soffits, or wires above the top bar—ever.
Separation from other play gear: If you have a trampoline, sandpit, slide, or goal posts, leave A-to-B walkways and ensure one activity doesn’t flow dangerously into another.

Quick check: If a child lets go at the top of the swing, will they land on grass/mulch—not gravel, paving, or the corner of a raised bed?

2) Sightlines & Supervision

Put the Playbase where you can see it easily from the kitchen, living area, or patio. The more you can “supervise by osmosis” during real life (cooking, chatting, gardening), the more the Playbase gets used—and the safer play becomes. Place it so the open face (where kids mount/dismount) is visible, not hidden behind a shed or planted screen.

3) Ground Conditions: Level, Firm, and Free-Draining

Slope: The flattest part of the garden is usually best. If the gradient is more than about 1:20 (5%), consider levelling or creating a small terrace pad. Play equipment on a slope can feel precarious.
Soil & drainage: Irish lawns are often clay-heavy. Avoid spots that puddle after rain; waterlogging softens ground and stresses anchors. If the “best” position is damp, fix drainage first (see surfacing and drainage tips below).
Roots & rocks: Don’t build directly over big tree roots or shallow bedrock; anchoring becomes tricky and trees don’t love it either.

4) Sun, Shade & Wind (Ireland-specific)

Sun: In Ireland the sun tracks through the southern sky. If you can, give the Playbase some morning sun (to dry dew) and afternoon partial shade. Full shade can mean persistent damp; full afternoon sun can be glaring on bright days.
Wind: Prevailing winds are south-westerly. If your garden is exposed, tuck the Playbase where a hedge or fence breaks gusts—but not so close the swing can strike it. A “shoulder” position beside a shed (not in front of doors/windows) often works well.

5) Neighbours & Noise

Swings and laughter carry. Placing the Playbase away from party walls and bedroom windows (yours and theirs) promotes harmony. Planting a soft hedge (griselinia, escallonia, or native mixed hedging) between the Playbase and a boundary can soften sound and add privacy.

6) Access & Usefulness

Ask: Will the kids go to this spot naturally? If the only route is across a muddy bed or through a storage area, usage dips. Ideally your path from house to Playbase is short, obvious, and not through the veg patch. Leave room for lawnmower access around the frame.

Ideal Locations by Garden Type

Long, Narrow Urban/ Suburban Garden

Place the Playbase two-thirds down the plot, leaving a social space (patio, dining) closest to the house and a kickabout lawn in the middle. Aim to set the swings so the arc runs along the garden’s length, not across its narrow width—this helps with clearances. Use a light screen (ornamental grass, low hedge) between the patio and Playbase to reduce visual clutter without blocking sightlines.

Square Family Lawn

You have options. A rear-corner placement often wins: it preserves a large open lawn diagonally opposite for football while keeping the frame out of the main views. Orient the top bar so swings face towards the garden (not into a boundary). If you pick the sunniest corner, plan a bit of dappled shade via a small tree or sail.

Small Courtyard

If you’re tight on meters, consider a side-wall-adjacent spot with clear side and overhead space. Pay close attention to surfacing (rubber mulch or grass mats) to cushion falls and protect the ground. In compact spaces, choose attachments that minimise swing travel (e.g., gym rings, pull-up bar, climbing rope) and keep the nest swing for parks—unless you have the forward/back clearance.

Sloping Coastal Plot

High, consistent winds and salt air add wear. Place the Playbase in the lee of the house or hedge, and orient the swings perpendicular to prevailing wind to reduce “sail effect”. Inspect anchors yearly. Rinse metalwork occasionally in salty environments.

New-Build Estate Garden

Drains, services, and soakaways can criss-cross new lawns. Consult your utility/service map (often supplied by builders), and avoid placing the Playbase above inspection covers or shallow runs. With smaller plots, line of sight from the kitchen typically trumps all—aim to see the mount/dismount side clearly.

Safety Clearances & Positioning Details (Practical Rules of Thumb)

Always read and follow the BERG Playbase manual for your specific size and chosen accessories. The notes below are general, homeowner-friendly guidelines.

Around swings: Leave at least 2.0 m free space in front and behind the seat’s furthest swing point, and 1.5–2.0 m to each side from posts, fences, walls, trees, or hard edges. For nest swings or for enthusiastic older kids, more is better.
Around climbing elements (nets, bars, holds): Plan for 1.5 m on all sides of the landing area.
Above: Ensure clear overhead space above the top bar and the full swing arc. No branches, eaves, or lines.
Underfoot: The preferred surface should be level, even, and impact-friendly (see surfacing below). Avoid bare compacted soil, gravel, or hard paving within the fall zone.
Separation from hard features: Keep a respectful distance from patios, masonry, raised beds, oil tanks, barbecues, pergolas, and sheds—anything a child could collide with.

If you’re ever in doubt, measure twice and err on the generous side; clearance is cheap insurance.

Surfacing: Grass vs. Mulch vs. Mats vs. Bonded Rubber

Your surface under and around the Playbase does four jobs: it cushions the inevitable slips, keeps shoes (and your floors) cleaner, protects the lawn from wear, and ties the play zone into your garden design.

Grass (Ireland’s default):

Pros: Soft, natural, cool in summer, looks great.
Cons: Wears into mud under swings and landing zones; needs reseeding; can be slippery when wet.
Best for: Younger children, lighter use, well-drained lawns.
Tip: Use grass reinforcement mats (discrete mesh) under swings to stop ruts forming.

Loose-fill bark or wood chip:

Pros: Good impact absorption, tidy look, drains well, inexpensive to refresh.
Cons: Can migrate; needs a border (sleepers/edging); occasional topping up.
Best for: Heavier use, shaded/wet spots where grass struggles.
Tip: Lay a weed membrane underneath; aim for 200–300 mm depth in fall zones.

Rubber play mulch (loose, recycled):

Pros: Excellent cushioning; doesn’t rot; drains well; low maintenance.
Cons: Higher upfront cost than bark; still needs edging.
Best for: High-traffic family play zones.

Bonded rubber mulch (resin-bound):

Pros: Stays put, no topping up, great drainage, tidy edges, accessible for buggies.
Cons: Most expensive; professional installation recommended.
Best for: Long-term, all-weather play surfaces.

Poured rubber (wet-pour):

Pros: Premium finish, superb impact control, custom colours/patterns, accessible.
Cons: Highest cost; professional install only; can feel warm in strong sun.
Best for: Statement play areas.

Gravel/stone:

Avoid within fall zones. It’s abrasive, unstable underfoot, and unforgiving.

Whatever you choose, extend the surface to cover the whole fall zone, not just the footprint of the frame.

Drainage & Irish Weather Proofing

Our climate is kind to grass—but also to puddles. A chronically wet base means muddy shoes, unhappy lawns, and stressed fixings. If your preferred spot holds water after a downpour:

Improve the soil: Fork in sharp sand and organic matter to the top 150–200 mm; consider hollow-tine aeration in heavy clay.
French drain: For persistent soggy strips, a shallow trench filled with 20 mm gravel (wrapped in geotextile) can guide water away to a soakaway or lower area.
Raised edge + mulch: A simple sleeper frame filled with bark or rubber mulch lifts the play surface above wet soil.
Shade management: Prune to let wind and morning sun in; lawns dry faster with airflow.

Orientation & Micro-Climate

Face activities into open space. Put the “front” of swings and climbing elements towards the lawn, not a wall or boundary.
Use gentle shade. Deciduous trees on the south/south-west fringe provide summer shade and winter light. If you lack trees, a small sail or pergola to the side (not above the swing arc) can soften afternoon glare.
Shield from gales, not breezes. A full windbreak right behind a swing can create turbulence. A setback hedge or fence section to the side usually feels calmer and safer.

Lines, Pipes & Permissions (Common-Sense Checks)

Utilities: Before digging, check for water, power, telecoms, and drainage routes. On new builds you may have a services plan; otherwise your utility providers or local authority can advise. Avoid inspection covers and shallow service runs.
Boundaries & covenants: Most Irish homeowners won’t need formal permission for a domestic play frame at ground level. That said, keep a friendly distance from boundaries to avoid overhang and nuisance. If you’re in a managed estate, glance at any covenants or estate guidelines.
Trees: Avoid compacting soil within the dripline (the outer edge of the canopy) of prized specimens. Don’t cut big roots; adjust placement instead.

(This is practical guidance, not legal advice. If in doubt, check with your local council or management company.)

Anchoring & Stability

Follow the BERG instructions for your specific size and accessories. General pointers:

Use the correct anchors for your soil type and frame. Some gardens benefit from screw-in ground anchors; others from partial concreting of post shoes.
Test after heavy rain (softened ground) and after big wind events.
Re-check annually (start of spring) and after any major reconfiguration of accessories.

A well-anchored Playbase feels solid—no racking or wobble—when grown-ups pull hard on the top bar.

Integrating the Playbase Into Your Garden Design

A Playbase can be a design feature, not just a utility frame. Try these ideas:

Green it up: Train a lightweight climber (evergreen star jasmine or native honeysuckle) up a nearby trellis—not on the frame itself—to soften the view without interfering with equipment.
Edging: Use sleepers or Corten-style steel edging around a mulch zone for a clean, modern look that echoes the Playbase’s lines.
Zones: Pair with a small bench for parents or a log perch for kids. Add a storage box for wet-day accessories (rings, ropes) to keep clutter down.
Lighting: Low-glare, indirect garden lights nearby (not aimed at eyes) extend evening use for older kids’ fitness modules.

Where Not to Put It (Common Mistakes)

Under overhanging branches or eaves. Overhead clearance is non-negotiable.
Right against a fence. You’ll lose side clearance and risk collisions.
On a persistent wet patch. Mud now, subsidence later.
On hard paving within the fall zone. Falls happen; cushion them.
Blocking a main route. Don’t create traffic jams between the back door and bins/shed.
Too far from view. If you can’t see, you can’t supervise. Usage and safety both drop.

Sample Layouts (Text Sketches)

Corner Fit (Square Garden):

[Boundary hedge]
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                      │
│  Playbase → swings face diagonally → │
│  (mulch pad + soft edging)           │
│                                      │
│                  Open lawn           │
│                                      │
│     Patio / kitchen view → 👀        │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘

Narrow Garden (Along the Length):

House/patio  →  👀
│
│  Open lawn / run space
│
│  Playbase (oriented so swing arc runs lengthwise)
│
│  Light planting screen to soften view, not block it
│
Fence ---------------------------------------- Fence

Sheltered Coastal Position:

Prevailing SW wind  ↗
           Hedge shelter  ┌───────┐
Open lawn  ───────────────│Playbase│  (set back from hedge)
                          └───────┘
               House creates additional lee

A Quick Decision Matrix

When choosing between two decent spots, use this tiebreaker list, in order:

Safety clearance & overhead space
Sightlines from the house
Ground firmness & drainage
Wind shelter without encroachment
Access (short, obvious route)
Neighbour friendliness
Garden balance (keeps open lawn)
Ease of mowing/maintenance
Sun/shade comfort
Future flexibility for new attachments

If one location wins on the top three, pick it—even if the other looks slightly prettier today.

Real-World Irish Scenarios

“We’ve a classic long back garden in a semi-D in Kildare.”
Put the Playbase beyond the main patio/lawn area, oriented lengthwise. Use bark mulch with sleeper edging to create a clean zone that doesn’t churn to mud in winter. You’ll see the action from the kitchen, keep football space, and avoid swing strikes on fences.
“Our Galway garden is windy and the soil is heavy.”
Choose the leeward side of the garden, set back from a hedge. Improve the topsoil with sand/compost, then install grass mats or bonded rubber mulch under the swing arc. Re-check anchors after storms.
“Tiny Dublin city garden; I want fitness attachments as well as swings.”
Prioritise clear overhead space and line of sight. Consider a configuration focusing on gym rings, pull-up bar, and a single seat swing (rather than a nest swing). Rubber mulch over a compacted base will keep the area usable year-round.

Installation Day: Placement Checklist

Final Thoughts: The “Best Place” Is the One You’ll Use Every Day

A perfect location for the BERG Playbase balances safety, visibility, comfort, and garden flow. In Ireland, that usually means a level, free-draining area you can see from the house, with generous swing clearance, soft surfacing underfoot, and some shelter from south-westerlies—without tucking it so far away that play becomes out-of-sight, out-of-mind. If you follow the five-step method, respect the clearances in the BERG manual, and give a little thought to drainage and access, you’ll end up with a Playbase that your family gravitates to in all seasons.

If you’d like our team at Trampolines Ireland to take a quick look at your garden plan or a few photos and suggest the best spot (and the right surface) for your exact setup, we’re happy to help. The right place makes all the difference—both for playtime today and for the growing years ahead.