Park and Playground Design

Designing a new park or playground is such an exciting endeavour, and we love helping our clients bring their vision to life. We've been helping communities, landscape architects, municipalities, and schools design, build, and enjoy new parks and playgrounds for over 20 years.

We've put this knowledge into a comprehensive guide to planning a playground, and you can download it for free from our resource section.

Our aim at Park N Play is to make the process as stress-free as possible. Regardless of your project budget or size, you get the exact same level of commitment and enthusiasm from our award-winning team.

When you choose Park N Play as your partner, you don't just get our park and playground design experience, you get an experienced team of designers, project managers, and installers that will help you see your project through from beginning to end.

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Our park and playground design process

Our design process usually includes six stages:

Nailing down the park or playground idea/vision
Defining the key objectives
Conducting a needs assessment
Site selection
Equipment selection
Park or playground design and quote

Remember that our process can and will be modified to suit your specific needs. For example, you may already have clear objectives, a budget, and equipment in mind.

Stage 1: Nailing down the park or playground idea/vision

Most of the time, our clients have a pretty clear idea for their upcoming project, but if you don't, don't worry! We'll work with you to determine the concept and vision for your upcoming project. Our team has extensive experience designing both pre-set playgrounds and fully custom playgrounds. Our desired outcome is getting you a great playground!

Examples of custom playgrounds where we assisted in bringing the initial idea to life:

Stage 2: Defining key objectives and your budget

Our team will help you define your objectives for your new space. There are virtually endless options and configurations, so we'll meet with key stakeholders to determine critical objectives for the area. Investing the time and energy up-front to get clear on goals can save a lot of time and budget down the line.

As for your budget, it's essential to consider both time and money. However, you can maximize the efficiency of your budget by choosing the right partner. The right partner can help you select cost-efficient equipment that will meet your objectives. They can also help you identify and apply for various grants and funding opportunities that you may not be aware of otherwise.

Key factors that should be considered when determining your budget:

Inspections
Excavation
Removal of existing equipment (if necessary)
Soil removal
Drainage
Site restoration
Surfacing

Stage 3: Needs assessment

The most obvious outcome of a playground or park is to provide "fun" for the users. However, studies have shown that playgrounds and parks can offer so much more than just fun. A well-constructed, properly designed playground can:

Improve in-class focus
Lessen bullying issues
Improve turn-taking skills
Decrease incidents of vandalism
Enhance physical education programs
Increase inclusivity and acceptance of differences
Provide stimulating play opportunities for individuals with mobility devices and cognitive differences

It pays to think about the needs of both students, staff and other community members. A playground can be a resourceful tool that serves all stakeholders. Consider the following:

The number of children who will be using the playground or park (now and in the future)
The age group of those using the playground or park
The site location and size
Approvals from other stakeholders (school board, community associations, etc.)
Who will have final approval?
Existing equipment and surfacing - will the same site be used?
Are there special needs within your school or community that should be addressed to ensure all school or community members can use the new playground or park?

We go into more detail on accessibility and the seven principles of inclusive design in our free playground planning guide.

Stage 4: Site selection

Designing a new playground or park is so much fun, especially when it comes to choosing the new equipment. But investing the time to understand the "below ground" requirements is just as important as the "above ground" structures.

Like building a home, proper structural foundations are critical to long-term stability and durability.

To be sure your site is appropriate and to make sure you don't run into costly issues in the future, please consider the following factors:

Proximity from the school to the playground
Ease of access - are there pathways or ramps onto the playground area? Are borders required?
Sun exposure - is shade needed or is there adequate natural shade?
Wind - is it windy or cold at the site?
Blockage and obstructions - will you need to go through the playground to access other amenities like the soccer/football field?
The direction the structures will face - will the slides or climbing structures face the sun?
Drainage requirements
Natural vegetation
Above ground and below ground obstructions

Stage 5: Equipment selection

Now for the fun part! With all of that previous work done, we can confidently move on to selecting the equipment and furnishings for your new park or playground.

When selecting the equipment, we'll make sure to keep your goals and needs assessment in mind to make sure you have the right equipment for the job at a suitable price.

We offer a comprehensive suite of products to make sure we can provide the right equipment at the right price for your project. We group our products into the following categories:

Stage 6: Park or playground design and quote

Now that we're on the same page when it comes to your key objectives, budget, and needs assessment, we can start putting it all together for you.

Our certified playground designers will begin by creating a 2D design to make that makes sure the measurements are correct, we're within budget, and the equipment will fit in the site selected.

From there, we'll render the 2D into a 3D visualization so you can see exactly what the playground will look like when finished. We can even create an immersive video of the rendered playground so you can view it from multiple angles.

At this point, we'll send you a quote for your review.

Remember - this is meant to be a comprehensive stage where we work together on the colours, equipment selection, and overall design of the project. We're not happy until you're happy and confident you're getting a great playground.

Once you approve the design, we'll order the equipment, organize the shipping and freight, and determine how we'll get the site prepared and equipment installed. Your Park N Play project manager will be with you each step of the way to ensure a seamless process from beginning to end.

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Your Park N Play Design experience doesn't end after we've finished your design. We can install your play equipment and help you manage all future maintenance. We also have a complimentary Playground Maintenance Checklist available for download.

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What do you get when you choose Park N Play?

When you choose Park N Play as your partner, you don't just get our park and playground design experience, you get an award-winning team of designers, project managers, and project managers that will help you see your project through from beginning to end.

Internal processes to set you up for success

We strive to provide our clients with the best service possible. Over the years, we've learned and established best practices for all aspects of the project:

Change management workflows
Construction management documentation
Cost & time management procedures
Environmental responsibility processes
Comprehensive schedules and contingency plans
Health and safety plans

Certifications

We have certified inclusive design educators, certified playground inspectors, certified installers, and a fully COR-certified installation team to make sure we're compliant with all of the latest safety and design regulations.

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What do I need to consider when planning a playground?

How can I be sure the playground or park will be safe?

What is an accessible playground/park?

What if I have more than one age range of children to consider?

How are your playgrounds inclusive and accessible?

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"Over the past seven-plus years, I have had the distinct pleasure of working directly with Shelley and her colleagues on numerous projects across the Capital Region of Alberta. These collaborations have consistently resulted in transformative outcomes that bring immediate joy to the communities they serve while showcasing innovation and a profound sense of place and purpose.

Shelley Robinson’s leadership is characterized by a remarkable combination of authenticity, compassion, inclusivity, and creativity. A straight talker by nature, Shelley’s candid approach to communication is both refreshing and invaluable in our projects. She tells it like it is, ensuring that expectations are clear and that every challenge is addressed head-on with transparency and integrity. Her unwavering commitment to excellence is mirrored by her team, whose passion and meticulous attention to detail set them apart in this industry.

One of the defining strengths of Shelley and the Park N Play Design team is their ability to deliver exceptional playground designs and installations on time and on budget. They navigate obstacles with a no-nonsense, solution-oriented approach, demonstrating resilience and professionalism at every turn. In the rare instances where deficiencies have arisen, Shelley and her team have handled them promptly and with the utmost dedication, ensuring that all issues are resolved without hesitation or excuses.

The collaborative projects we’ve completed together have been nothing short of tremendous successes, thanks in no small part to Shelley’s ability to inspire trust and foster strong partnerships. Her team’s work has consistently exceeded expectations, and the positive impact they’ve had on the communities we serve is truly commendable. Whenever I have the opportunity to choose a partner for delivering impactful and meaningful projects, Park N Play Design is always my first call. Shelley’s leadership, combined with the expertise and dedication of her team, makes them an invaluable asset to any endeavor. I wholeheartedly recommend Shelley Robinson and Park n Play without reservation."

– Will Packolyk, Landscape Architect, BLA, AALA, BCSLA

Al-Terra

"I wanted to share my awesome experience working with Park N Play Design from 2014 to present. They were a fantastic team to collaborate with, and I highly recommend them. We've worked together on projects like Balwin Park (Playground), Cybecker Park (Playground & Splash Pad) and Central Alberta Women’s Shelter (Playground) and I was always impressed by their creativity and professionalism. As a landscape architect, I loved how they brought fresh, innovative ideas to our park and play designs. Plus, they were good at sticking to budgets, which made everything so much easier. Communication with Park N Play Design was always smooth. They kept us in the loop at every stage, which made the projects run seamlessly. Their problem-solving skills were top-notch, and they always found cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. Overall, Park N Play Design was a joy to work with, and I wouldn't hesitate to team up with them again."

"We recently had Park N Play Design install a new playground, and we couldn't be happier with the end result! The kids are having a blast, and the new playground is full every recess. Bob, Dustin, and the rest of the installation team were such a pleasure to work with. They were patient and clear in their instructions, always willing to discuss and explain what was going on, and most importantly, they were just fun to work with. Our Sales rep, Shelley, made sure everything went smoothly. We are so happy with the final result. I am happy to speak positively about my experience with you to anyone who asks! Thanks Park N Play Design!"

"The MBTW Group has worked closely with Park N Play Design as they have assisted us with designs, tender packages and installations of play equipment and site furnishings for many diverse projects. Park N Play Design provides a very collaborative and informative design process, and they are definitely engaged and attentive to our final overall design objectives for our projects. Their staff are very prompt and thorough with any inquiries or any discussion items we have brought to their attention, including any critical on-site construction issues that require immediate and definitive action on their part."

"I have worked with Shelley Robinson at Park N Play Design on numerous school projects, both during the design process and throughout the construction of the project. One project we worked closely on was John Dolan School Playground in Saskatoon, where we worked with Park N Play Design to provide a base design for the school tender and worked closely during the construction period once awarded. This project was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, being fully inclusive and wheelchair accessible for the needs of the School staff and students. During this project, Shelley’s expertise in playground design and inclusive play were renowned and is exemplified in her ability to provide guidance during the design process and her ability to respond to questions and concerns concerning playground systems, equipment and surfacing with confidence."

"I would like you to know what a pleasure it was and will be in the future to work with your representative Shelley Robinson. She was very professional, easy to deal with, looked after any issues promptly and was always accessible. The Splash Park has been a great addition to our community as well as the 2 new playgrounds that were installed this spring. I look forward to working with Shelley in the future as we are looking at upgrading our 14 existing playgrounds and also plan on constructing an outdoor fitness facility next year. Once again, a big thank you to Shelley for all of her knowledge and experience, and I would highly recommend her to any community that is planning a project that involves a splash park or playgrounds."

"Park N Play Design worked within our required budget constraints and timeline to supply the designated playground on time for back-to-school. We are extremely happy with the service that we received. The playground was a large school and community fundraising commitment, so it was very important to us that everything was done correctly and on time. Bob was able to solve in process issues and to work within the limitations of the summer weather to be able to help us out and keep things on track for the grand opening. As a school, we would recommend dealing with Bob and Park N Play Design for any playground project."

"I had the pleasure of working with Shelley Robinson at Park N Play Design for over five years designing and building new playgrounds. I never hesitate to recommend Shelley to any playground committee as one of our great consultants. Shelley has a passion for inclusive play while recognizing the reality of budget limitations. She is great to work with on all types of projects, from very small phased projects to large and unique projects. Shelley is always up for a challenge and is a great team player. I look forward to working with her in the future again."

"Park N Play Design provides intriguing, innovative and well-thought-out play structures that align with our strict budgets. Proposal submissions are clear, concise and easy to interpret. Throughout the competitive process, responses to questions and requests for modifications to structures to support the overall vision have been met with enthusiasm and in a timely manner. A company valuing true customer service. Regina Catholic Schools has had a very successful relationship with Park N Play Design and I am pleased to offer a recommendation based on my experiences with this first-rate company."

"Tim was instrumental in assisting our school community with the initial planning, design, budget and implementation of our school playground project. From the initial tendering process through to assistance in planning our site, he provided not only expected support but also his own personal involvement in the project on-site. Every step of the way was provided for us in terms of instructions and completeness of the project. We never felt left alone and were amazed at the resources that were given to us. I would not hesitate to recommend him or Park N Play Design for any project, large or small, where safety, planning and future needs are discussed and encouraged."

"It was an absolute pleasure working with Shelley and the Park N Play Design team. The professionalism, attention to detail and communication was such a positive and seamless experience. We had a relay tight timeline, and Shelley and her crew got the job done. Her enthusiasm for her job is infectious, and I would highly recommend Park N Play Design to any other school or community looking to build a park. Thank you again for getting us exactly what we wanted for our school and our students. We are truly grateful.”

“I cannot say how pleased I am with the results of what Park N Play Design has come up with for our community. Your team addressed all our requests and provided two amazing options for us. As the saying goes, “you hit the nail on the head”. Excellent job, Park N Play Design. Please give yourselves a big pat on the back from Heritage Hills Housing Co-op. In addition to the amazing parks you came up with, I would also like to add a thanks for the information you have on your website. It has saved me personally hours and hours of time looking for this information on my own. It has been such a pleasure thus far.”

“We chose Tim Aylesworth and Park N Play Design for our playground structure because of the superb and consistent customer service, the ability to achieve our goal on a fast timeline, and his professionalism in handling all the changes we requested. Tim and his design team put together a playground which is exciting, challenging and engaging. The feedback from the students, teachers, parents, and staff have been nothing but positive! We wholeheartedly recommend Tim and Park N Play Design. If we are to build another playground I wouldn’t hesitate to have Tim come in and design it!”

"Thank you very much to you and your staff for an outstanding job on this project. James, Josh, and Jaimie were exceptional to work with throughout the installation of the playground. Their dedication to making everything 100% is refreshing to see. The attention to detail on the install has been as good as any project that I have been involved in over the past 30 years. Great job! Please feel free to use me as a reference at any time."

“I cannot say how pleased I am with the results of what Park N Play has come up with for our community. Your team addressed all our requests and provided two amazing options for us. As the saying goes “you hit the nail on the head”. Excellent job, Park N Play. Please give yourselves a big pat on the back from Heritage Hills Housing Co-op.
In addition to the amazing parks you came up with, I would also like to add a thanks for the information you have on your site and the direction of Steve to research the other available grants. It has saved me personally hours and hours of time looking for this information on my own. It has been such a pleasure thus far.”

– Sam Hansen, VP Maintenance

Heritage Hills Housing Cooperative

“We chose Tim Aylesworth and Park N Play for our playground structure because of the superb and consistent customer service, the ability to achieve our goal on a fast timeline, and his professionalism in handling all the changes we requested. …Tim and his design team put together a playground which is exciting, challenging and engaging. The feedback from the students, teachers, parents, and staff have been nothing but positive! We wholeheartedly recommend Tim and Park N Play. If we are to build another playground I wouldn’t hesitate to have Tim come in and design it!”

Park and Playground Design

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Our park and playground design process

Stage 1: Nailing down the park or playground idea/vision

Stage 2: Defining key objectives and your budget

Stage 3: Needs assessment

Stage 4: Site selection

Stage 5: Equipment selection

Stage 6: Park or playground design and quote

What do you get when you choose Park N Play?

Internal processes to set you up for success

Certifications

What do I need to consider when planning a playground?

How can I be sure the playground or park will be safe?

What is an accessible playground/park?

What if I have more than one age range of children to consider?

How are your playgrounds inclusive and accessible?

– Will Packolyk, Landscape Architect, BLA, AALA, BCSLA

– Sam Hansen, VP Maintenance

Featured Projects

Accessible

Municipalities

Inclusive

Nose Creek Park Inclusive Playground (Airdrie, AB)

Landscape Architect

Mahogany Central Garden Playground (Calgary, AB)

Accessible

Developer

Custom Equipment

Interactive Equipment

Marquis Playground (Edmonton, AB)

Custom Equipment

Developer

Cherot Eiffel Tower Playground (St. Albert, AB)

Explore why thousands of organizations across Canada trust Park N Play with their play space needs