Creating a playground is extremely fun, but it’s a process. From drawing your 3D design to installing the structure, you’re sure to have some questions — especially if this is your first time designing a play space. Here are our most commonly asked questions to get you started!
We’re a playground equipment company that designs, manufactures, and builds playgrounds for schools, parks and recreational facilities, religious organizations, early childhood education, and more. We are industry leaders in inclusive play, as we continually take a scientific approach to how children learn and play. We take that knowledge one step further and create research-based designs and products that serve children's social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communication needs.
Since 1976, Play & Park Structures’ mission has centered on developing play products and programs that enhance classroom learning, create environmental awareness, promote physical activity, play for all abilities, and build community interaction. Learn more about why people choose us for playground design and installation.
The vast majority of our products are made in our 400,000-square-foot, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001-certified manufacturing and distribution facility in Fort Payne, Alabama.
There are four main factors to consider when planning a playground space: the overall size of the site, the age of the intended users, the overall projected number of users, and the types of activities. To learn more, explore our How to Design a Custom Playground page.
Choosing a predesigned structure from our website or catalog is the quickest way to get your system delivered, but we also offer designs created just for you.
Custom designs will add to the timeline, as they will need to be designed and rendered according to your specifications. After your order is placed, your equipment should arrive within 4 to 8 weeks.
Consider the age group and abilities of the children who will be using your equipment and the items you know you want (or do not want) within your play space. A few options include lots of slides for the kids or overhead activities to develop upper body strength. Our Play Consultants can offer recommendations, just for you.
A great way to find out what the kids want is to ask them! Involve them in the design process and they are likely to take ownership of the project before, during, and long after it is finished. Start exploring our Playground Equipment today.
Knowledgeable Play Consultants are available across the United States. Visit our Find a Play Consultant locator to learn more about your local representative and their contact information.
Yes! Our design experts can take your site-specific measurements and develop a plan to maximize the play space in your area and within your budget.
Using specific component choices, playgrounds can often be designed to meet multiple age groups.
A freestanding activity is any play equipment that is not attached to a standard “post and platform” structure. Think of a traditional dome climber that is not attached to a structure, or a freestanding slide.
Absolutely! But let’s talk about what “custom” means to you. We offer predesigned structures that you can see on our Equipment page. We can also design a custom structure using existing products that will fit within your specific space and budget.
On some occasions, we can also design custom components: a play structure utilizing standard equipment and special products we create just for you, such as a panel with custom text or a unique climber themed after your community history or other unique event. Learn more about How to Design a Custom Playground with our team.
Playground pricing depends on many factors, including the size of your space and the specific products you choose. We can design a playground within almost any budget.
If cost is an issue, it is a good idea to look at freestanding items to add play value over investing in a complete play system.
Surfacing type is another consideration that will greatly adjust the cost of your playground. Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is the most cost-effective product on the front end of a project.
Yes! There are many options to help you achieve a new play space for your school, church, or community. Play & Park Structures also offers our customers the ability to purchase through our leasing program, powered by Navitas. Access the application form today.
We make it easy to apply for national, state, or local grants by sharing links to relevant providers, right on our website! Explore our playground grant opportunities.
Play & Park Structures will offer you the best price possible. But by leveraging buying contracts or providing our leasing program, you can maximize your budget. Discover how to fund a playground with our help.
Every Play & Park Structures playground is designed with the children who will use it in mind. All products are IPEMA-certified in compliance with ASTM and CPSC standards.
Our facility is certified as ISO 9001 for manufacturing standards of quality, production, and installation and ISO 14001 for environmental management, measurement, and evaluation. Learn more about our safety standards.
As they design your structure, our playground experts look at many factors, including the height of the playground components, required use zones, and pathways that encourage a good flow of traffic within the play space to eliminate unnecessary hazards.
We also consider the ages of the children who will be playing to make sure your playground is age appropriate.
We can work with you to design something all children will love! We have a lot of resources and partners that assist with inclusive design, and we would love to share our expertise with you.
Play & Park Structures offers a variety of surfacing options to fit your needs and your budget. Our products are proven to offer a safe surface for children on the playground to fall on and endure weather, wear and tear. Ask your local Play Consultant for information on specific surfacing types or visit our Playground Surfacing page.
Playground equipment is designed according to a child’s age to help ensure they can get maximum benefit out of the equipment, while maintaining a safer play experience.
ASTM defines the age groups: 6-23 months or 2-5 years, and 5-12 years. Please make sure you choose age-appropriate activities for each child who will be using your playground.
This is a source of confusion for many people. Accessibility refers to the ability to access the playground itself and the surfacing type around the play space.
Selecting a resilient surfacing material that meets current standards based on the height of your equipment, and creating pathways allows everyone (even those with limited mobility) access to the play components.
Yes, we only have trained and certified installers for all of our products. Ask your local Play Consultant for more information.
Some damaged parts may be found at the time of installation as each part is attached to the system. If a damaged part is discovered during installation, please contact your Play Consultant as soon as possible. Keep the packaging and paperwork for that item until the issue is resolved.
Every project, every site, and every customer is unique. Your Play Consultant will discuss what responsibility they will handle versus what you and your organization would like to accomplish.
We offer a spectrum of options, from full-service projects where you don’t have to lift a finger to projects where your organization may take responsibility for facilitating delivery, unloading, and storing your equipment when it arrives at your site. Learn more about Ordering and Receiving.
Yes. We do recommend that you have at least four skilled people with construction experience to lead your group. In some circumstances, you can hire a playground installation professional for the first day or two of your installation to help get you started. Speak to your Play Consultant for assistance.
Play & Park Structures boasts one of the best warranties in the industry. We provide a limited lifetime warranty on all posts, clamps, caps, and hardware. Most other components carry a 15-year limited warranty. Please see our warranty details.
Your local Play Consultant will work with our dedicated Customer Service department to help you find and order any replacement parts needed, whether you are still under warranty or not. Playground Maintenance Guide
While these are the most commonly asked questions about our playground equipment and team, our Play Consultants are only a phone call or email away to answer any additional questions you may have.
