Back to School Landscaping Tips: Parking Pads & Playground Safety Upgrades

Smart Landscape Upgrades for the School Year—From Teen Driver Parking Pads to Safer, Refreshed Playgrounds

As summer winds down and Back to School season kicks off in Georgia, it’s the perfect time to think beyond school supplies and schedules—especially when it comes to your outdoor spaces. At Vining Stone, we’re helping homeowners and communities prep for the school year with smart, practical landscape upgrades like new parking pads for teen drivers and playground mulch refreshes for safety and peace of mind.

New Teen Driver in the House? Expand Your Driveway with a Parking Pad

Adding a new driver to your household is exciting—but it often comes with one big question: Where will everyone park? As high school starts and new licenses are issued, traditional driveways can get crowded quickly. A simple solution? Add a parking pad designed for functionality and curb appeal.

At Vining Stone, we recommend two excellent options:

• DIY-Friendly Gravel & Decorative Stone Pads
  Create a semi-permanent gravel pad using decorative stone, gravel, and clean borders. This option is quick to install and can be easily returned to grass later if your needs change. We carry a wide variety of border materials and gravel types to match your home’s aesthetic.
• Permanent Vehicle-Rated Paver Pads
  Want something that looks clean, stylish, and built to last? Choose Belgard concrete pavers, engineered for driveways and vehicle weight. These low-maintenance hardscapes add both value and curb appeal to your home. Our expert team will help you select the right color, style, and layout—and if you’re not installing it yourself, we can connect you with trusted local contractors to handle the project from start to finish.

Refresh Playground Mulch for Safety Before School Starts

If your home, HOA, church, or school features a playground, now is the time to refresh your mulch or safety surfacing. Over time, mulch becomes compacted, scattered, or broken down by weather and foot traffic—reducing its effectiveness as a shock-absorbing layer.

Adding a new layer of engineered wood fiber (EWF) or certified playground mulch helps:

• Improve impact safety
• Enhance overall appearance
• Comply with ASTM safety standards (especially for schools and public play spaces)

Vining Stone offers bulk delivery of playground-safe mulch and can recommend the best materials and depths for your space based on usage and fall height requirements.

Why Vining Stone for Your Back-to-School Landscape Projects?

• Locally owned and operated with deep knowledge of Georgia soil and weather
• Extensive selection of Belgard pavers, gravel, borders, and playground materials
• Easy material pickup or delivery to your location
• Recommendations for reliable, local installation contractors
• Friendly, expert advice from a team who understands your project needs
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Get Ready for the School Year with Smart Landscape Updates

Whether you're welcoming a new driver into the household or refreshing a playground for the fall semester, Vining Stone is your go-to resource for quality materials and expert guidance.

Visit us in-store or contact us online to discuss your project—we’ll help you build it better this school year!