Why Schools and Parks Are Choosing Jelly Bean Rubber Mulch — And Why You Should Too
If you’ve ever watched a child tumble off the monkey bars and held your breath, you know that what’s under a playground matters just as much as what’s on it. That’s a truth that more and more schools, daycares, churches, and parks are acting on — and it’s helping drive record growth for one of the industry’s most trusted playground surfacing brands.
A Banner Year for Playground Safety
Jelly Bean Rubber Mulch just wrapped up its best year in company history. Co-Founder Nic Campesi put it plainly: 2025 saw more product sold than in any previous 12-month stretch. And 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger — so much so that the company has warned that its virgin rubber playground mulch could sell out before peak season is over.
That’s not a marketing line. That’s a supply-and-demand reality driven by growing awareness among parents and facility managers about what truly safe, cost-effective, and long-lasting playground surfacing looks like.
The “Sweet Spot” in Playground Surfacing
When it comes to surfacing options, playground managers have long faced an uncomfortable tradeoff. Shredded rubber tire mulch is cheap but raises legitimate concerns about toxicity. Wood mulch is familiar but rots, harbors mold, and needs frequent replacement. Pour-in-place rubber is durable and attractive — but it comes with a price tag that puts it out of reach for most school budgets.
Jelly Bean sits right in the middle: safer than tire mulch, more durable than wood, and far more affordable than unitary surfaces. Campesi describes it as a “slot product” — meaning once a school or facility tries it, it tends to become the default choice going forward.
What Makes It Different: Non-Toxic, Virgin Rubber
The key differentiator is the material itself. Jelly Bean is made from 100% virgin rubber — not shredded tires — sustainably sourced from pre-consumer rubber. Every batch is third-party tested for phthalates, red list chemicals, and other potentially harmful substances, and it meets strict indoor air quality standards.
For school facilities managers responsible for the wellbeing of hundreds or thousands of children, that certification matters. It’s one thing to put down a surface that looks safe. It’s another to have documentation that proves it.
On top of the safety profile, Jelly Bean carries a best-in-class ASTM fall safety rating — the industry standard for measuring how well a surface absorbs impact from a fall. In practical terms, that means children are better protected when they do what children inevitably do: fall.
New: Swing and Slide Mats Now Available Nationwide
Beyond its flagship rubber mulch, Jelly Bean has just expanded into a product category that complements it perfectly: heavy-duty swing and slide mats.
After a 24-month pilot program developing, testing, and distributing the mats, Jelly Bean is now offering them nationwide to end users and playground equipment dealers in wholesale quantities. Like the mulch, the mats are made from non-toxic, medical-grade rubber — giving facilities managers the same peace of mind across a broader range of their playground infrastructure.
“Our tests have shown these mats to stand up better than any other,” Campesi noted. For school networks looking to standardize on a trusted, non-toxic rubber solution, this expansion makes it easier than ever to do exactly that.
Why Now Is the Time to Order
Here’s the practical takeaway: Jelly Bean is projecting massive sales growth again in 2026, and the company has acknowledged that availability of its core rubber mulch product could become constrained as the season peaks.
For facility managers, playground contractors, and equipment dealers, that’s a signal worth heeding. If you’re planning a spring or summer playground installation — whether it’s a new build, a surface replacement, or an expansion — getting your order in early is the smart move.
The Bottom Line
Playground safety is one of those things that’s easy to overlook until something goes wrong. Jelly Bean Rubber Mulch exists to make sure that doesn’t happen — with a surface that protects kids, satisfies safety requirements, holds up over time, and doesn’t force schools to choose between safety and budget.
Record sales two years running suggest the market is paying attention. If your playground is still covered in old tire rubber or deteriorating wood chips, it might be time to take a closer look.
Learn more about Jelly Bean Rubber Mulch and the new swing and slide mats at jellybeanrubbermulch.com.