Has anyone used the rubber playground mulch?

MommyToAshley wrote: I am thinking of getting this stuff for under Ashley's swingset and in her play area. Has anyone tried it?

I am a little concerned about the safety of the product. It's supposed to be non-leaching and non-toxic, but it still concerns me that it is made from rubber tires.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...uctId=100189495

3_call_me_mama replied: Our church playground has it and my parents have it under the kids swingset at their house. It is awesome. Works great and makes it a safer place to play.

MyBabeMaddie replied: They have that stuff at one of the local playgrounds - the nice thing about it is if you get some in your shoe it doesn't hurt like regular mulch also if you take a spill on your knees you don't seem to get cut up like with grass or regular mulch - The only thing I have noticed is it stains my tennis shoes (it's red at our playground)

lovemy2 replied: My mother used it in her gardens, etc. and it was VERY expensive and did not cover very well....but it is a great idea for under a swingset, etc. as long as you aren't worried about the price...

MommyToAshley replied: Yes, it is pricey. But, I suppose it is cheaper than replacing the mulch every year. Now I am concerned about the color/dye coming off. It says it is supposed to have a 15 year color-fast rating...hmmm.

CantWait replied: I don't have it, but I've been to playgroup that use it, and I personally love it. It's really soft to land on, and I like that it's helping the environment by doing something with old tires.

luvmykids replied: I don't have it at home but our favorite playground has it and I love it!

gr33n3y3z replied:
its Non-Toxic
as for the color after 15 years you will prolly want to get rid of it any way

kit_kats_mom replied: most of the better playgrounds in our areas have it. The only drawback is that it absorbs heat since it dark. So pushing your kid on the swings it sometimes feel like your legs are cooking from the ankles up. I've been on black and red colored cover and it's never leeched onto my shoes. Get the lightest color possible and go for it. My vote is "yay"

mom21kid2dogs replied: Most of the local playgrounds here have it, including O's school. I like it better than mulch but less than pea gravel. It will definately track in like mulch (meaning you'll be sweeping the stuff off your carpet eternally). All the ones around here are the "original" black so color is a non issue for us. I didn't even know it came in colors! The stuff that is more ball like in consistency is much more bothersome than the stuff that is shredded like mulch. The balled stuff really hurts if it gets in your sandals/shoes. The shredded stuff doesn't.

lisar replied: That stuff is great that I have always seen. They have it at all the playgrounds here in Jax. It does make for a softer landing on the tush also.

coasterqueen replied: We don't have it. We used pea rock instead for our playground area. I have seen it at the local playgrounds, though, so it can't be toxic. I do agree with Cary on that stuff makes you hot, though.

maestra replied: On our playgrounds at school we have some stuff like this, but they compact it down so that it's not loose. Maybe it's something different? I love it though, I wish they would get rid of more of the sand and just leave the rubber stuff.