In Tune with Timber

More than just a swing set, more than just a jungle gym, more than just a tree house. The companies listed below specialize in wooden playsets that are sure to challenge and excite children. Why wood? From small dramatic play structures to elaborate park-sized playscapes, wooden playgrounds have a lot to offer. They generally support more weight, last longer and are usually guaranteed from 10 to 25 years. Their rustic appeal can bring children back to nature, allowing them to more fully enjoy the world around them. Or they bring appreciation to a world unknown to children in pavement-covered cities. Wood is a natural insulator, never getting too hot or too cold, and latest trends in the wood playground industry include a movement toward safer wood treatments that are tested with children and the environment in mind. 

BigToys: Equipping Kids For Life

BigToys creates opportunities for kids to interact through play where they develop the skills that will equip them for life.

Their product designs are based on developmental research to meet children’s various needs. Offering both BigToys and EarlyWorks product lines, they are appropriate for kids aged 2 to 12. By creating a balanced play environment, BigToys ensures that no child will lack the challenging play children need for the body and mind to develop. BigToys’ uses conditioned wood that is safe and withstands the harsh elements of children’s play and nature. This durable wood does not contain heavy metals and is arsenate free.

For more information on BigToys call 866-814-8697 or visit their Website at www.bigtoys.com

Designed for Fun

Designed for Fun is a playground design team for Henderson Recreation Equipment. They specialize in commercial wooden playgrounds, designed specifically for each location. By incorporating the naturally existing park elements, play structures become an all-inclusive play experience. Community-built or full-installation is available to individualize playground needs and budgets. 

“We believe that no playground can compare with the rich and vital experiences of climbing a tree, fording a stream or digging a tunnel. Play equipment should be integrated into a diverse landscape so children have bountiful access to nature and can move across terrain that is an experience in itself,” Brett Haddaway, owner of Designed for Fun, says.

For more information on Designed for Fun call 1-866-464-7529 or visit their Web site at www.designedforfun.com.

Grassroots Community Playgrounds

Grassroots Community Playgrounds is a Hawaii based company committed to affordable and lasting solutions to play spaces. By acting as a playground consultant, Grassroots is able to help a community update or fix-up its current playground or help create a new playground. Grassroots offers custom wooden playground designs through Henderson Recreation but also features water tables and playhouses made by Hawaiian volunteer groups.

For more information on Grassroots Community Playgrounds call 808-597-1010 or visit their Web site at www.play-ventures.com.

Jim’s Amish Structures

Jim’s Amish Structures specializes in dramatic play structures. Built by the Amish, these play structures have a quality of workmanship above others. Each play structure is completed and fully constructed upon delivery. The Southern Yellow Pine, used for all playground items, is kiln-dried before and after their new pressure treatment called “natural select wood” and is a safer alternative to former pressure treatments.

A 30-foot, two-floor arc is one play structure option, with swing climbers, swings, a fireman’s pole, a ship’s wheel, two benches in the bottom level and an optional 10-foot slide. Other options are an 8x12x8 monster truck, a 6-piece train, a play castle, a play ship and various playhouses.

For more information on Jim’s Amish Structures call 989-224-0515 or visit their Web site at www.jimsamishstructures.com.

Kidstruction 

Kidstruction’s playground equipment is specialized for indoor or outdoor commercial play. Their wooden structures are made of California Redwood, Wolmanized Pine or Recycled Plastic Lumber. Because their two highest priorities are safety and durability, Kidstruction playground equipment is challenging, fun and designed with a focus on security. 

Six-by-six wood timbers are used to form a strong foundation. Recessed nut/bolt ends, flexible swing seats, routed edges, proper spacing of components, elimination of entrapment zones, adequate play space and flow patterns are all considered fundamental in creating these playscapes.

For more information about Kidstruction call 800-245-8449 or visit their Web site at www.kidstruction.com.

Leathers and Associates

Leathers and Associates is a family owned business that is known for helping communities build custom-designed playgrounds for over 30 years. Using only community volunteers, they’ve built more than 1,600 playgrounds worldwide. The first step in their process is to have a “design day” where the community children gather to create the playground of their dreams. Once they have the children’s input, then the designs are developed, drawn and built to meet the guidelines and standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Standards for Testing and Materials.

For more information on Leathers and Associates call 607-277-1650 or visit their Web site at www.leathersassociates.com.

Legacy Play Equipment

Legacy Play Equipment believes that “every child deserves a safe and challenging play environment”, that is why they use arsenic-free, environmentally safe Southern Yellow Pine for their playgrounds. Legacy Play Equipment encourages potential customers to call for a free site consultation and estimate, and they pride themselves on helping customers through every stage of the playground planning, designing and installation processes. 

For more information on Legacy, Play Equipment call 866-499-7529 or visit their Web site at www.legacyplayequipment.com. 

Outdoor Fun Store

The Outdoor Fun Store specializes in both commercial and large residential playground equipment. Individual playground items and all-inclusive playscapes can be made from either treated Southern Yellow Pine or natural California Redwood. (Redwood contains a natural pest repellant and therefore does not need to be treated.) Professional installation is available or complete play structures can be delivered free of charge within 60 miles of their Wayne, Michigan location. 

For more information on the Outdoor Fun Store call 734-728-2200 or visit their Web site at www.outdoorfunstore.com.   

Pacific Outdoor Products

Pacific Outdoor Products is a residential and a commercial play structure company. By specializing in modular playground designs, to improve stability, customers are unlimited in the playground size they can create. Their backyard playsets are manufactured from Western Red Cedar which is known for naturally decaying and insect resistant and it will not mold in moist climates.

By applying a variety of play elements to every play structure, children have more opportunity for mentally and physically active play. Chain Swings won’t pinch fingers as they are coated with blue or green Plastisol for safety and comfort. 

For more information on Pacific Outdoor Products call 425-432-6000 or visit their Web site at www.pacificoutdoor.com

Playnation Play Systems

Playnation creates large, medium and small wooden playsets. Specializing in variety, the customer is welcome to choose colors, woods, accessories, and sizes and can add elements over the years to enhance play value. Playnation Play Systems are known for keeping value, making it easier to sell if necessary. PlayStation's Website is meant to help educate the buyer so an educated decision can be made about choosing the right company and style of the play set. All the wood used for their playsets is sanded and rounded for protection against splinters and hard edges.  

For more information on Playnation Play Systems call 770-792-9300 or visit their Web site at www.playnation.com. 

Rainbow Play Systems

Rainbow Play Systems prides itself on its huge residential play structures made from chemical-free and decay-resistant cedar and redwood. Rainbow has no weight restrictions, priding itself on sturdy, safe playscapes, and has over 100 models plus custom designs and designs for the small and unlevel yards. Their 10, 11, or 14 feet long slides ensure entertainment that will grow with children. 

For more information on Rainbow Play Systems call 800-724-6269 or visit their Web site at www.rainbowplay.com. 

TimberForm

TimberForm is known for creating themed and traditional wooden, commercial playgrounds that are commonly installed by community volunteers. Community building brings a sense of unity, involvement, and pride into each playground project. It also reduces the price.  

By using MaxTreat, a two-step fabrication procedure, TimberForm increases the pressure-preservative treatment’s effectiveness for their wooden posts. They do not and never have used arsenic-based wood preservatives. 

For more information on TimberForm call 800-547-1940 or visit their Web site at

www.timberform.com.