25 Years of Playground Professionals: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

In March of 2001, a publication dedicated entirely to the playground and recreation industry made its debut. There was no guarantee it would last a year, let alone a quarter century. But here we are — 25 years later — still serving the industry we love, still connecting the professionals who build the spaces where children play, grow, and thrive.

We don't take that lightly. And we wanted to take a moment to say: thank you.

Where It All Started

Our story begins in March 2001, when Harris Publishing launched Today's Playground Magazine — a print publication built from the ground up for playground professionals, park planners, landscape architects, recreation directors, and everyone in between. The magazine later evolved into Play and Playground Magazine, and in 2012 Playground Professionals, LLC took the reins as independent owner. Over the next two decades, we published issue after issue covering the trends, products, people, and innovations shaping the outdoor recreation world — before planting our flag permanently in the digital space as simply Playground Professionals.

We published our final print edition in 2020, but the archive lives on. Every issue — all the way back to that very first one — is available to browse in our magazine archive. It's a remarkable snapshot of an industry in motion, and we're proud to have documented it.

A Brand New Chapter

Twenty-five years in, we're not slowing down — we're leveling up. We're thrilled to unveil a completely redesigned Playground Professionals website, built from the ground up to better serve you in 2025 and beyond.

The new site features a fully searchable article library spanning 1,300+ pieces of industry content, a fresh reading experience on every device, faster navigation, and smarter discovery tools to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Whether you're researching surfacing options, shopping for themed equipment, or staying current on industry news, the new PGP is built with you in mind.

Find Your People — The Professional Directory

One of the most powerful tools on the new site is our Professional Spotlight Directory. With 568 listed professionals — and growing — it's one of the most comprehensive directories in the recreation industry.

We want it to be even better. That means we need your help.

Already listed? Search for your business and make sure your profile is current. Update your contact info, add photos, and make sure your categories are accurate so the right buyers can find you.
Not listed yet? Now is the perfect time to add your business. It's free to get started, and your listing puts you in front of parks directors, school administrators, landscape architects, and recreation professionals actively searching for what you offer.

The directory now features an interactive map, advanced filtering by service area, category, and professional type, and premium listing options that put your business front and center. Don't miss your spot.

Grow With Us — Advertising Opportunities

For 25 years, the brands that have partnered with Playground Professionals have had a direct line to one of the most targeted audiences in the recreation industry. Our readers aren't casual browsers — they're decision-makers: buyers, specifiers, planners, and project managers actively looking for products and partners.

As we launch our redesigned platform, we're offering a rare opportunity to get in front of that audience at the ground floor of something new. Advertising options include:

• Premium Directory Listings — Rise to the top of search results with a featured profile, prominent placement, and a premium badge that signals credibility.
• Display Advertising — Banner placements across high-traffic article pages, category silos, and the homepage — reaching readers when they're actively researching.
• Newsletter Sponsorships — Put your brand directly in the inboxes of engaged industry professionals every week.
• Content Partnerships — Sponsored articles, product spotlights, and press release distribution to our full audience.

Whether you're a manufacturer, distributor, designer, or service provider, there's a partnership option that fits your goals and your budget. Reach out to us and let's talk about what makes sense for your business.

Here's to the Next 25

This industry is built by people who believe in the power of play — who show up every day to design better spaces, safer surfaces, and more imaginative environments for the children in their communities. It has been our privilege to serve those people for 25 years.

We're more committed than ever to being the resource this industry deserves. Thank you for reading, for sharing, for listing your business with us, and for being part of the Playground Professionals community. The best is still ahead.

— The Playground Professionals Team