Went out coin hunting to 2 city parks I haven't been to in a few years (play areas re-modeled) and also to 2 schools that were totally rebuilt and their play areas were also re-done. At one of the schools, they had cut the play area equipment to almost half of what it had been, and covered up the natural dirt ground that was under the play equipment with that rubberized stuff.

What is the deal with the hard foam or shredded up melted tires in the play areas?????

Woodchips or the gravelstones were FINE in the play areas. If someone falls, the woodchips or stones have some give and cushion their fall. If you fall on this rubberized hard areas you might as well use concrete. Besides----if you accidentally drop something on this hard foam or melted tire areas, it can be seen right away and the item will get picked up---bad for us who metal detect.

In woodchips or gravelstones the item sinks and is rarely found right on the surface.This is good for us metal detectorists to find it.....hours, days, weeks or months later.