Kids love to climb. And while it can be maddening when they climb on the furniture, if you take them outside to a safe space, you can see how climbing builds whole-body strength, coordination and focus. Not to mention confidence — who wouldn’t feel like a million bucks after scaling…
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Saturday’s Magical Bridge Grand Opening was everything we could have hoped for: sunny skies, musical acts, happy families and most importantly, children of all abilities playing together! Our stage served as a focal point for the entertainment as the audience gathered beneath a large, majestic tree. Above the stage in the…
We’ve been part of the Magical Bridge project for the last five years and we’re thrilled that it’s now in the final stages of construction! Join us on April 18 for the Grand Opening of this fun, inclusive, and gorgeous playground. Here, the two-story playhouse and theater is getting some…
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Is that a play house or the world’s prettiest piece of gym equipment? Where a child sees fun and adventure, many health experts see a path to lifelong physical fitness. And where there are active, moving kids, there is less likelihood of childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma and other ailments. Growing…
We’ve had a fantastic, productive 2014 and we’re looking forward to more adventures next year! For now, cuddle up with some hot chocolate and join us in a virtual tour of our winter wonderland: Though she lives in sunny California now, Barbara is no stranger to cold weather. Here’s the…
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We love hearing from delighted clients! Here are a couple of testimonials that put a smile on our faces. From Erin (client): We’d love to “report in” on the success of the fort. We are logging several hours of play in it each day. Today there were 7 neighborhood kids…
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In our last post, we followed the design and fabrication process for Forest Lookout. Next up is installation. The components made in the shop arrive on-site and are placed in their respective locations. After each piece is secured and safety tested, small details are attended to for a flawless final…
How do you transform a steep, barren space into a charming, lively play area? Why, with a playhouse, hanging bridge, tree platform and water slide, of course! With two young sons and a bevy of cousins and friends they wanted to host, this Los Angeles family was looking for a…
Atherton Treehouse: The goal was to design a play structure that incorporated the trees, tucked into this corner of the yard, that wouldn’t overwhelm but would be big enough for the many grandchildren that visit every year. Barbara’s “stickout” (above) and Artist’s Sketch (below) shows the ultimate design the client’s…
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It’s starting to get exciting as more shapes emerge! The towers are long and sleek, looking like a rocket ship about to launch. Adding the side “fins” (which will flank the entrance to the swinging bridge) starts to define the contemporary look of this play structure. Once building is complete,…
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Big Day on site: the crawl tunnel tube is added in between Clubhouse #1 and Clubhouse #2! They will keep it wrapped in plastic sheeting until everything else on site is done, but this fun play element is in place and just waiting for kids to crawl through it. Next…
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I thought it would be nice to take a few minutes and share a custom play structure installation we finished over a year ago. When I came across these photos, it made me smile! We had a great installation in Pasadena. Meet the crew: James getting ready to install the…
Day 2 the crew continues with the installation of Contra Costa Jewish Day School’s play structure:
Now that the ledgers have been installed (see Day 1) the guys bring in the clubhouse floor framing, bolting the frames to the ledgers…
Barbara and crew are back on site at the Contra Costa Jewish Day School playground where they are installing a public use, fully enclosed, ADA Handicap Accessible play structure custom designed to run above the playground on top of existing 8′ high concrete pla…
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The day before we arrive, the school yard sits empty, waiting for the magic to begin…
New, exciting, public use play structure that Barbara custom-designed for the Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette, CA. It will be a fully enclosed, self-contained redwood & rope netting play structure built up on top of 8′ high concrete planter boxes and running along the edge of the play space…
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During the initial design process, Barbara, Jeff & Marco spend a day doing a “stick-out” on site, using rough strips of wood to layout the shape of the Clubhouse on the hillside.
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Crooked Gap Clubhouse is custom designed to fit on the side of a very challenging hill. The entrance ramp let’s kids walk across to the Clubhouse deck which is perched on the hillside…
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Half-way through installation, the Rocket Ship is starting to look exactly like Barbara’s artist sketch!
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Barbara and crew have been working non-stop to make ready for the launch of the Rocket Ship play structure this Friday, May 14th. Countdown includes: finish painting, detailing, packing, loading the truck and driving to LA. Building starts with the base floor. These photos show part of what it takes…