Wood + Natural Playgrounds
The materials a child interacts with during play can have a profound impact on the quality of play. Natural materials like wood provide a unique kind of tactile and sensory experience that elevates the richness of play.
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Why Natural Materials?
Natural materials and wood especially have made a tremendous comeback in play over the last few years. This rise is driven largely by improved manufacturing that now allows for more durable, long-lasting installations. Our wood partners are using species specifically selected for long term durability, with engineering detail designed into each part of a structure to help wood features as long as their metal and plastic counterparts.
From a sensory standpoint using real wood can oftentimes help programmed play features blend in and not detract from the beautiful nature that surrounds a new play area. On the other end of the spectrum, using wood in urban areas can help introduce nature play to children that might not be able to experience nature on a regular basis.
For play areas where using real wood might just not be an option we also have amazing options using Glass Fiber Reincfoced Concrete (GFRC) to mimic nature in amazing detail with uncompromised durability.
Wood Landscape Features
We source, treat, and supply high-quality wood materials to bring your landscape features to life, from landscape logs to engineered wood structures and shelters.
How we support you during the Planning and Design Phase
Every project starts with a dream, and at Northwest Playground Equipment it's our calling to make that dream a reality.
Give us a call and let our expert Parks Consultants help be a resource to guide your project wherever you are in the process.
- Site Visits - The first step of almost any project is arranging a site visit with our local Parks Consultants. During our first meeting we'll discuss the project goals, understand any site specific conditions, and develop a scope of work to get us started on putting together designs and budget estimates.
- CAD + Renderings - After our initial site visit we'll take our understanding of your site and work with our in-house Designer to develop detailed CAD drawings and 3D renderings of initial concepts.
- Fundraising Support - Are you looking to raise money for a project? At Northwest Playground Equipment we keep up to date on the pulse of national and local funding opportunities to help supplement your project budgets.
- And It's All Free! - Being a resource for park planning is a service we take pride in so much so that all of our front end planning efforts are a no-cost service that we provide to help make your project a success. It's as easy as giving us a call or e-mail to get started!
From park benches to splash pads and everything in between, we represent the highest quality manufacturers in outdoor park amenities.
- Exclusive Products - Most of our lines are exclusive across our territories meaning we are your one stop shop for all your park amenities!
- Leading Manufacturers - We represent more than a dozen leading manufacturers who share our passion for building community through their park solutions. Our catalog of manufacturers is made up of many of the leading experts in their respective fields, and includes coveted award winners of the GOOD DESIGN Award and the Red Dot Award.
- Extraordinary Selection - Have an idea for an outdoor space but don't see an example on our website? We can help! Just give us a call to let our expert Park Consultants be a resource for helping to identify a solution to any problem.
We can help take your project all the way through from design to construction with full installation for all of our park equipment amenities. It doesn't stop there, need additional site work completed as part of the project? Just ask and we can oversee as much or as little of the project as you need.
Full installation and site work services are also available through our many Cooperative Purchasing Contracts for all of our public-sector customers.
- Certified Installation - Everything we install comes backed by our team of Certified Installers who ensure that each and every component is installed per Manucturer recommendations and we are compliant with all current safety standards.
- Site Work Management - Does your new Shelter need a concrete pad and walkway? Or would you like a vinyl-coated fence around your future play area? If you have a site work need associated with your park project let us know and we can help manage that portion of the project. Even available through our many Cooperative Purchasing Contracts!
- On-Site Supervision - It's always great to get the community involved in a project, and if that's your goal we can help provide an experienced on-site Supervisor for the duration of a weekend volunteer build.
Building Community Through Play isn't a short term mission, it means that each and every project we're a part of forms a relationship that lasts for the life of that park or amenity.
Our Team is here to support you through it all!
- Dedicated, Family-Run Business - We take pride in having a strong history as a local family owned and operated business since 1996. That history extends to each and every one of our customers who together become a part of the larger Northwest Playground Equipment family.
- Replacement Parts and Service - We're here to support you in good times and bad, and understand that sometimes there's nothing more frustrating than a broken or vandalized piece of equipment. If you're having an equipment issue just contact your local Parks Consultant who can help identify a solution to get your park back up and running in no time.
Our Partners
Wood Towers. Wood Climbers. Custom Designs.
Beautifully Themed Concrete.
Unique Wood Features.
Timber Stacks Wood Climbers.
“As a family-owned business in the Pacific Northwest, we take our mission seriously — building community through play. We strive to be a resource for our customers through the entire lifecycle of a project, from design to construction and long-term support.”
—Bob McGarvey, Founder & CEO