Kolumbia Inn Daycare

Natural Playgrounds

It seems like there is a movement toward natural playgrounds these days. Everyone wants one. LA’s love to spec them in their plans, daycare owners want them as a draw to their centre, parents like them because they are organic (free from chemicals), and challenge their kids’ imaginations. I would agree with all of these perspectives. Natural playgrounds are cool, there’s no doubt. However, I also believe there is a time and place for commercial playground equipment as well.

I like natural playgrounds that feature plants and materials that are endemic to that region. Here in Vancouver, Red Cedar seems to be the material of choice for this sort of application. Raw Red (or Yellow) Cedar is available from most wood suppliers, but we have pulled much of our wood from the bushes ourselves using a permit. All of the wood we have salvaged has already fallen or is driftwood. So basically, we are refurbishing garbage materials into usable product.

The picture on the right is of a small job that we just completed using salvaged wood. We stripped and pressure washed the timbers prior to the installation. They are cut at each end for a snug fit against the support posts. The support posts are an effective solution to creating curvature in the path. These support posts also provide play value and are aesthetically pleasant. The logs were placed on a gravel bed and also have gravel behind them on the high side for drainage purposes. The path sub-base is lined with landscape fabric, 4″ of 3/4″ gravel base, another layer of fabric, and another 4″ of compacted gravel.

Hybrid Playgrounds

A balance between commercial and ‘natural’ elements may provide the most diverse opportunity to play. Based on my experience, commercial play equipment usually provides more opportunity for active play, whereas natural playspaces provide more opportunity for creative/imaginative play. In my opinion, the ideal playground features elements of both.

I recommend fulfilling the active play component with commercial equipment. Commercial play equipment is largely geared toward active play and is engineered to withstand high-impact use. Further, commercial play equipment is manufactured under safety guidelines that are intended to ensure safety and reduce owner/operator liability.

The pictures below are of a small play structure (Active Play Equipment) that we installed for a government housing complex here in Vancouver and of the Kolumbia Inn Daycare in New Westminster.

Structure from Active Play Equipment

Rupert Lane Housing Complex

We built some steps into the retaining wall to match the existing stone blocks. The steps transition to a pathway that is retained using reclaimed cedar

Natural pathway made from reclaimed BC cedar