We want to buy a jungle gym for the Dudeling’s fourth birthday. Since it’s going in our front gardens (just shy of an acre of perennials and paths), aesthetics are about as important as its funness—so more wood, less plastic, and no metal tubes.
But we’re running into monotony—all we’ve seen so far are the almost-identical sets from the big box stores. Any smaller manufacturers out there we’re overlooking? Thoughts?
Ages ago I started a thread about the uglification of America due to the crappy, plastic Fisher Price gaudy colored plastic structures people threw into their gardens.
I also remember the glory days of solid construction and playgrounds that seemed to fit seamlessly into the environment - or at least didn’t stick out like some rainbow vomit.
And before parents starting jumping in, screaming about prices and no options, I just want to mention I am aware of the dearth of alternate products, especially affordable products.
At my university, the design department was given a final project of designing a playground using environmentally friendly products, or recycling other products. It was truly beautiful…
Just wondering aloud - but perhaps you can find a nice (retired?) carpenter, or starving artist to help design a really cool playground/jungle gym? Maybe you are even handy enough?
I know at the university project, one thing they made was a tire swing - not like what you remember - they had about six tires that were bolted together (sort of like a large ball the kids could climb into - and it hung from a wooden beam on a huge spring…once the kids were in there, they could climb or bounce or swing…way cool. They also had lost of safe, treated, soft bark all over the place, so if kids fell, they would not get scratched or hurt.
I would imagine the supplies would not be all that pricey - but putting it together and coming up with design(s) could take some time and effort (and money, if you are not doing it yourself).
I just think it is possible to create a safe, fun, kids play area that is sturdy and fits into the environment, and looks good, without looking like it was designed by an elf on LSD.
Also, if you do it right, I wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t find a buyer for it when the kid(s) grow out of it.
I just worked on a project of purchasing a playset for my nieces - used - and having it moved to my parents’ house, power-washing it and staining it and having it put together.
It took a lot of work but we ended up getting a $10,000 playset for $2000 (paid to have it moved and bought a few replacement pieces of wood).
I tell you what - even though the thing was 10 years old, everything was in great condition. The wood they use is heavy and highly treated. The hardware is like, military-grade. The construction has really been thought out pretty well - like they use high-grade plastic reinforcements in all the right places so that the wood doesn’t wear out.
Anyway, if you want something that’s going to last forever take a look at playsets from Rainbow. You can’t buy them in big box stores - they have distributors with big showrooms across the country.
They are not cheap, tho.
I know you don’t want gaudy but you can customize stuff pretty well with wooden roofs instead of vinyl, and green plastic instead of yellow.
Other brands to consider are Woodplay, Childlife and Playground One.
Gorilla is a big brand but that’s what you will find at Wal Mart and Home Depot.
If you want to see a ton more options - but pay more, while getting a higher quality product - seek out a big playground set distributor in your area.
I wouldn’t suggest building one unless you really know what you’re doing. They have to be super fucking safe. I’d trust the safety of a company that builds these things and has their reputation on the line over my own plans any day.