How to Build a Hill

I am coordinating a play yard redesign at my childcare center (age infant to 5 years) to incorporate more natural features and make it more green. Part of this involves building 2 freestanding hills (one 4 feet high for preschoolers, one 18 inches for 1 year olds). Two additional hills will be built up under and around play structures to basically make them into hill forts. (This will allow us to eliminate 'safe fall surfaces' aka gravel (a choking hazard) or shredded rubber or rubber pads).

We have plenty of gravel (about pea gravel size from our 'fall surface') as well as clean dirt/soil. We won't be planting any turf/grass until late May since this is Alaska and that's when the safe growing season begins. Any advice on 'how to' We are particularly interested in any suggestions on whether to include a landscape fabric or mesh on the slopes with the most 'play' expected?

Thanks
Hawkowl
Anchorage, AK

 

Just pile the dirt up until you reach your desired height and shape. Landscape fabric or mesh isn't going to do anything for you. Any high traffic areas will not hold onto grass.