Developers have a lot to do with occupancy ratings. They decide which amenities will attract residents, especially families. As experienced developers know, some of these amenities stand out more than others. Turnkey playgrounds are among the most popular with families because they offer tremendous benefits to a site. More than just curb appeal, they can drive leasing speed, get community members more involved, and even improve property values. This article looks at five ways leases are affected by turnkey playgrounds.
Family Demand for More Is Up
Many developers focus too much on square footage and interior design and not enough on overall lifestyle. Sure, the kitchen may have beautiful lighting, and the master bath may be amazing. But families are looking for life beyond their individual unit. Many want community and recreational spaces where their kids can play safely. If a family sees two properties for the same rent, and one offers a playground with picnic tables and shaded seating, that’s likely going to be the winner.
For these reasons alone, it’s worth it for developers to add turnkey playgrounds to their sites. Kids’ commercial swing sets, slides, and structures become instant family-friendly points of focus. What’s more, modern playground systems can be installed in just a few weeks, with little to no site preparation. So they cause little disruption to the development timeline, but they’re a high-impact upgrade. And these spaces aren’t just for kids. They’re hubs for the entire community to socialize and interact.
A Lack of Amenities Leads to Less Interest
One of the most appealing aspects of shopping for a new rental for many families is looking for the differentiators. What makes this or that property stand out? Far too many locations now offer the basics: stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry, high-speed internet, etc. To become more attractive, developers start eating into their profit margins by offering concessions and marketing pushes. If you’re a developer, and your site doesn’t offer family amenities, you’re leaving money on the table.
A turnkey playground is a visible attraction that helps your site stand out. Typically, when a property has a playground and other spaces for kids, you can market it as a “family-friendly community.” As just one example, a recent Virginia community added a playground, a clubhouse, and reserved parking, and raised rents by just $55 per unit per month. They saw occupancy rise from 88% to 92%. Basically, the property became more than just a floor plan. It’s now a lifestyle.
Development Timelines Are Tight
It’s a common adage that time is money, and it’s a real problem in development. Because of the push to complete projects and start collecting rents, many developers will eschew any thought of amenities like playgrounds. Site work, permitting, and construction delays are already headache enough. Plus, traditional playgrounds can take months and multiple subcontractors to complete. It doesn’t seem worth it. But today, avoiding playground installation is short-sighted.
Thanks to the specific engineering of modular turnkey playgrounds, you can now fit this family friendly amenity into tight development timelines. Prefabricated systems can arrive and be installed on site within a few short weeks. Plus, many modern playground designers will now provide design, permitting support, and installation crews as part of the package. So you won’t have to worry about time or extra subcontractors. Everything will be ready before leasing begins, and you can maximize your marketing impact.
Playgrounds Are Green Space Assets
Because so many of today’s zoning laws call for green spaces, many developers simply leave those spaces as lawns or fields. Ostensibly, families can play and picnic in those areas, but far more often, they go unused. This means they add little leasing value because families simply cannot imagine themselves engaged in activities or socializing in an open field. It gets overlooked on a tour, and it can become a maintenance burden, requiring mowing and irrigation.
You can add a well-placed playground to that same space, and suddenly, families can see themselves having fun on afternoons and weekends. They can visualize themselves playing frisbee as kids swing and slide, and the added picnic tables become a haven for community engagement. When you program the green space rather than leaving it empty, you can increase foot traffic and improve the perception of livability for potential renters.
Smart Amenities Mean Better Competition and ROI
Finally, your primary goal as a developer is to get long-term, reliable renters into your units. Of course, that’s the same goal as all of your competition. But you have to be smart about your amenities. Yes, you can offer pools and gyms, but those spaces frequently need to be maintained and upgraded to stay attractive and useful. You want to attract long-term tenants and ensure you get a solid return on your investment.
Playgrounds can be one of the most cost-effective amenities to both install and maintain, especially if you’re using today’s modern turnkey systems. You can typically install a turnkey playground at your site for $30,000 on average. And the maintenance and overhead are minimal, with just occasional safety inspections, so you can keep them looking good for years. These turnkey play spaces help you compete and count on strong ROI for the long term.
In the end, turnkey playgrounds are so much more than just swings and slides. They’re strategic leasing tools for developers looking to compete in their markets and get great ROI. You can stand out, accelerate lease-ups, and activate your underused green spaces. And the bonus is that your residents can engage with each other more, the kids can have fun and feel safe outside, and your community is happy. These amenities are among the smartest investments you can make.
