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Public Works


MAGICAL BRIDGE

HILLBROOK TREEHOUSE

HILLBROOK TREEHOUSE

HMS ONTARIO

HMS ONTARIO

ROUGHHOUSE TREEHOUSE

ROUGHHOUSE TREEHOUSE

STUCCO PLAYHOUSES

STUCCO PLAYHOUSES

ON THE ERIE CANAL

ON THE ERIE CANAL

PIRATES SHIP

PIRATES SHIP

LOS RIOS

LOS RIOS

FORT JEFFERSON

FORT JEFFERSON

FORT BING

FORT BING

TOPS TREEHOUSE

TOPS TREEHOUSE

Public Use projects comprise of some of the wilder more expansive designs crafted for the sole purprose of providing laughter and fun to the general public. From a Magical Theater complex in Palo Alto to a meandering boat scene along the Eerie, come explore Barbara's civic projects!

We have decades of experience working with local governments and companies to realize their vision for public places for children. Don't hesitate to contact us for more details.

 
 

Magical Bridge

 
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The Magical Bridge Playground had its Grand Opening on April 18, 2015.

Located in Mitchell Park in Palo Alto, the Magical Bridge Playground is an innovative inclusive playground, designed and built for visitors of ALL abilities.

During the past five years, Barbara worked closely with founder Olenka Villareal, Verde Landscape Designs, Barry Swenson Builders, the City of Palo Alto and a committee of local families to create a comprehensive park design that serves not just wheelchair users but children and adults with autism, visual impairments, sensory and cognitive issues. Barbara designed and built all of the custom redwood strucutres in the park: a two-story Magical Playhouse with Community stage, elevated Tree Deck, elevated ramps & walkways as well as a Swinging Bridge. All the structures are fully wheelchair accessible.



Magical Bridge Palo Alto

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Featured Blog Posts

Specifications

Specifications coming soon!

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Hillbrook Treehouse

 
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Custom built for children ages 2 to 12 at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, CA

This playground treehouse fuses adventure and protection as children explore the treetops while enveloped in a cocoon of rope netting.

Our signature tung-oil stain naturally colors and protects the sustainable redwood lumber of our structures. For Hillbrook Treehouse, the school chose a hue of brown that integrates the structure with the existing trees.




Hillbrook Treehouse

$150,880.00

This price is for fabrication only. Additional fees apply for design changes and modifications, delivery, and installation. 

Featured Blog Posts

Specifications

12' x 12' x 13' high Main Tower / Tree Deck at a height of 7' from ground with:

  • 36" high rope net railing

  • 2nd tier of 36" high rope railing

  • non-climbable netting on inside to 2nd tier railing and from top of 2nd tier railing to tree

  • 4 extra-large 6x6 footing posts with metal sleeves

  • Commercial-grade Tube Slide

10' long x 2' wide swinging bridge with rope net railing

6' x 6' 2-story fort at 6' deck height with:

  • 36" high rope net railing

  • Coil Climber

  • Rope Net Climb

  • Angled Rung Ladder

  • ADA Accessible Transfer steps

  • Crawl Tube Tunnel under platform

Complies with: ASTM F1487-11 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use; ASTM F1918-10 Standard Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play Equipment; CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) publication #325: Public Playground Safety Handbook; and DOJ/ADA 2010 Standard for Accessible Design as applies to Play Areas (section 1008).


 

HMS Ontario

 

Our latest project for the New York State Thruway is based on the shipwrecked British warship HMS Ontario found at the bottom of Lake Ontario

Launched in 1780 by the British, the HMS Ontario ferried passengers and supplies around Lake Ontario. Though she was outfitted with several cannons, the warship was never attacked by American forces.

After only six months of operation, however, the HMS Ontario met with a tragic fate when a sudden storm hit, sinking the ship and killing all 120 passengers on board. Despite a thorough search by the British at the time, the location of this shipwreck remained a mystery until 2008, when it was located using sonar technology. With the help of an underwater remote operated vehicle, the stunningly preserved vessel was identified, making it the Great Lakes’ oldest shipwreck and only completely intact British warship.

This fascinating story comes to life for children at the Welcome Center when they explore Barbara’s accurate yet whimsical take on the shipwreck, which stands proudly at the New York Thruway rest stop on the shores of Lake Ontario.



HMS Ontario

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

HMS Ontario Blog Posts

Specifications

Wood Stains used in Construction

The HMS Ontario is a custom 3-piece shipwreck play structure featuring a bow, midsection, and stern.

Bow:

  • Custom Bow (7’9” x 7’10” at 4’ deck height; 36 SQ FT) with 20’ of custom railing

  • Angled Rope Net Climb

  • Ship’s Wheel attached at ground level

  • Custom Mast (5.5” diameter x 15’-high) 

  • Broken Bowsprit and carved scroll bow stem attached to front of bow

  • Custom “broken mast” Log Bridge (5’-long x 2’-wide) with rope net railings, as path between bow and midsection

  • (2) Metal Cannon Barrels partially extruded from each side window. Great fun for the kids to look through. 

Midsection: 

  • Custom rectangular Midsection (6’ x 7’10” at 4’ deck height; 47 SQ FT) with 18’ of custom railing

  • ADA transfer steps designed as cargo boxes

  • Ship’s Wheel attached to upper railing

  • Open Slide with 90 degree right turn

  • Custom “broken mast” Log Bridge (5’-long x 2’-wide) with rope net railings, as path between midsection and stern

  • (3) Metal Cannon Barrels partially extruded from each side window. Great fun for the kids to look through.

Stern:

  • Custom half-hexagon shaped Stern (6’8” x 7’10” at 5’ deck height; 50 SQ FT) with 23’ of custom railing

  • Angled Rung Ladder

  • Custom Mast (5.5” diameter x 15’-high)

  • Hand-carved and stained Sign

  • (1) Metal Cannon Barrel partially extruded from side window. Great fun for the kids to look through.


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Roughhouse Treehouse

 
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The Roughhouse Treehouse resides in the middle of the Turnberry Town Square Shopping Center in Las Vegas!

This very unique tree house was designed by Barbara to the ASTM F 1487-17 Standards for Playground Equipment for Public Use for the 5 to 12 age range and ADA Handicap Accessible guidelines. Built around a large tree brought all the way from Texas, this unique treehouse has a rustic "Tom Sawyer" style and plenty of fun play components.


Roughhouse Treehouse

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Featured Blog Posts

Specifications

Clubhouse: 5' x 5' x 8' high 1-story Clubhouse at 6' deck height with tree-stake gable roof, exterior redwood siding, window & door openings with redwood trims, window grate, tree limbs breaking through the wall & roof, plus play components:

  • Angled rung ladder

  • Rock Climbing wall

Big Deck: 8' x 9' at 7' deck height Big Deck attached to the tree with tree branches breaking through the wacky wood railings, support posts to the ground with knee braces, plus play components:

  • Hand-woven rope net ladder

  • Flag pole with fixed flag

Swinging Bridge: 6' long x 2' wide Swinging Bridge with hand-woven rope net railings

Slide Tower: 4.5' x 6.5' x 8' high Slide Tower at 6' deck height with tree-stake gable roof, wacky railings, support posts to ground with knee braces, plus play components:

  • Commercial grade Triple Slide

  • "L" shaped Transfer System with transfer platform, landing platforms, multiple steps, handrails and side railings

  • Ship's Wheel

  • Outdoor chalkboard with bench and ADA handicap accessible table


 

Stucco Playhouses

 
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These beautiful public use Stucco Playhouses are part of the Turnberry Town Square Shopping Center in Las Vegas, NV

In addition to the Roughhouse Treehouse and the Town Square Theater, Barbara designed the Stucco Playhouses to simulate the old world European look of the surrounding buildings. There are 2 sets of playhouses: Romeo & Juliet's Playhouse for the 5 to 12 age range and The Bakery/Café for the 2 to 5 age range.

Meets the ASTM F 1487-07 Standard for Playground Equipment for Public Use and ADA Handicap Accessible Guidelines.



Stucco Playhouses

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Blog Posts

Specifications

The Stucco Playhouses:
Romeo & Juliet's Playhouses (14' W x 31' L): designed for the 5 to 12 year old age range

  • 8 window openings with redwood trims, sills, fixed shutters and decorative metal safety grates and 5 door openings with redwood trims & shutters

  • Gable roof with exposed rafters, decorative trim, redwood ceiling and Spanish clay tile plus Rooflet with Spanish clay tiles

  • 10' high faux stone chimney surrounding exterior upper Breezeway door and breaking through the tile roof

  • Stainless steel Firepole and Coil Climber

  • Fixed Table with 4 chairs in the lower level and 2 fixed benches in the upper level

Juliet's Playhouse: 7'6" x 8' x 17'4" high 2-story playhouse (with 7' deck height and no ground floor) with redwood interior and stucco exterior, plus:

  • 5 rectangular window openings with redwood trims, sills, fixed shutters and decorative metal safety grates and 2 double-arched 12' wide x 37" high window openings with center redwood column and decorative metal safety railings

  • 3 arched and 1 rectangular door openings with redwood trims

  • Gable roof with exposed rafters, decorative trim, redwood ceiling and Spanish clay tiles

  • Curved and cantilevered decorative metal balcony and staircase with decorative railings

  • 2' x 2' x 3' high Cupola with stucco exterior, 2 faux windows openings and Gable Roof with Spanish clay tiles

Breezeway Bridge: 4'6" wide x 9' long x 11'6" high 2-story breezeway/bridge between the 2 playhouses (with 7' deck height and no ground floor) with redwood interior and stucco exterior, plus:

  • 6 arched windows with redwood jambs

  • Cultured stone on the exterior lower wall below the arched windows

  • 12' long x 12" deep faux front balcony with decorative corbels & posts and wood railing

  • 12' long x 38" high back railing with decorative abacus beads 12' long half-gable roof with Spanish clay tiles

The Bakery/Café (13' W x 20' L): designed for the 2 to 5 year old age range and Handicap Accessible Bakery: 7' x 8' x 14'9" high 2-story playhouse (with 4' deck height and no ground floor) with redwood interior and stucco exterior, plus:

  • 3 window openings with redwood trims, sills, fixed shutters and decorative metal safety grates

  • 3 door openings with redwood trims

  • Commercial grade open slide with curve to the right

  • Hand-woven Rope Net Ladder

  • 3' x 7'6" x 7' high Transfer System with redwood steps & transfer landing platforms and stucco exterior walls

  • 9' long Gable roof with exposed rafters, decorative trim, redwood ceiling and Spanish clay tiles

  • 2’' x 2' x 3' high Cupola with stucco exterior, 2 faux windows openings and Gable Roof with Spanish clay tiles

  • Blackboard menu sign and built-in shelves with fixed decorative cakes and faux cash register

Café: 6' x 8'6" x 9'3" high 1-story playhouse (with no ground floor) with redwood interior and stucco exterior, plus:

  • 2 arched window openings with redwood trims

  • 1 arched door opening with redwood trims

  • 7' long Gable roof with exposed rafters, decorative trim, redwood ceiling and Spanish clay tiles

  • Blackboard menu sign and built-in Kitchen set (refrigerator and stove)


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On the Erie Canal

 
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Low bridge, everybody down! Low bridge, ’cause we’re coming to a town!

You’ll always know your neighbor and you’ll always know your pal, if you’ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal…

At this charming play space in the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center, you’ll find kids acting out their Erie Canal adventures on our wooden barge and shipping-container-themed play structure on the banks of the actual river.


On the Erie Canal

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Blog Posts

Specifications

On The Erie Canal is a custom 2-piece play structure featuring a canal barge and a cargo box climber.

Canal Barge:

  • Custom Barge (8’ x 19’ at 3’ deck height; 142 SQ FT) with 46’ of rope net railing

  • Gangplank entry step

  • ADA transfer steps designed as cargo boxes

  • Hand-woven, angled Cargo Net Climb (3’ x 4’) 

  • Wheelhouse (3’ x 4’ x 6’-high) with:

    • Arched roof (4’ x 5’) 

    • (2) Door openings

    • (2) Window openings

    • Custom Ship’s Wheel station

  • Box Stand with custom, hand-carved and painted compass rose

  • (3) Cargo box seats

  • Hand-carved and stained Sign

Cargo Box Climber:

  • Play structure designed as a series of stacked cargo container boxes (19’5” x 17’10” with 130 SQ FT of deck) with 54’ of railing

  • (15) Box Platforms at various heights to create different staggered pathways to the top

  • Cargo Net Climb (4’-wide) attached to 5’ deck height

  • Roller Slide

  • (3) Free-standing Cargo Boxes in various sizes (approximately 2’ x 2’ x 18”-high)


pirate’s ship

 
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The Pirate's Ship was designed and built for the Ritz Carlton Hotel in West Palm Beach, FL and sits on ocean side to complement the view. 

Climb the rope net ladder on the front side of the Pirate's Ship to gain access to the main deck. Once on deck, kids can step up to the Captain's Quarters (bow) or the rear deck. Carved & applied trims, porthole windows and decorative spindle railings provide fanciful touches that make little imaginations soar.

This elegant ship meets ASTM Standards for the 2 to 5 year old age range.



Pirate’s Ship

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Specifications

1-story custom Pirate Ship playhouse with:

  • 2' high entrance level deck with step up to 3' high front & rear decks;

  • Decorative spindle railings with porthole windows, nautical trims and carvings;

  • Captain's Quarters with ship's wheel;

  • Hand-woven rope net ladder, rock climbing wall, and ship's ladder;

  • (3) masts with Pirate's Flags and a faux Crow's Nest on top of the center mast;

  • Hand-carved faux stern lanterns;

  • Hand-carved & stained sign with the ship's name;

  • Elaborate hand-carved & stained Lion figurehead attached to the bow of the ship.

Optional upgrade: Furled Canvas sails for an additional $800.


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Los Rios

 
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The City of San Juan Capistrano commissioned this rustic, redwood play structure for their historic Los Rios Park.

This beautiful play structure has 2 Slide Towers connected by a Swinging Bridge with hand-woven rope net railings. The upper redwood railing of the bridge is curved to mirror the swag of the bridge walkway.

Barbara custom designed Los Rios Play Structure to blend with the natural enviroment and to meet the ASTM F 1487-05 Standards for Playground Equipment for Public Use for the 5 to 12 age range, plus CPCS and ADA Accessible guidelines. The park's Grand Opening was August 29, 2009.



Los Rios

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Specifications

Wood Stains used in Construction

 
 

Square Tower

  • 6' square 2-story Square Tower with double-layered rustic tree-stake Gable roof with wagon wheel motif and: Coil climber 3'x4' transition platform with commercial grade open spiral "Cobra Coil" Slide

Swinging Bridge

  • 8' long Swinging Bridge with rope-net railings

Slide Tower

  • (4'9" x 6'6" x 14' overall dimensions) 2-story Slide Tower with double layered rustic tree-staked Gable roof with cupola

  • Commercial grade open Triple Slide Angled Rung Ladder ADA Handicap "L-shaped" Transfer System

Double Swing Sets (not included in pricing):

  • Free-standing 2-Bay Swing Set with buttress ends and with 2 tots and/or 2 standard seats per bay. Frames made from metal and faced with redwood lumber, grinded smooth & stained in color of choice. Additional $19,980 (or $9,990 per 2-seat Bay).


Fort Jefferson

 
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Fort Jefferson transforms backyards, and bring outdoor fun to the wider community

Though keeping the same basic design and color palette, each of our Jefferson structures is customized to fit the space of each individual housing development. In addition, they comply fully with public use safety standards and ADA guidelines.

Here’s to a new generation of kids getting outside for the active, imaginative play that we know is so crucial to their development and happiness!


 


Fort Jefferson

Please inquire below for details and pricing.

Specifications

Specifications coming soon!


 

Fort Bing

 
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Barbara created Fort Bing for the active 2-year olds attending Bing Nursery School

Bing Nursery School is a Laboratory School for Research and Teaching associated with the prestigious Stanford University. The 4'x4' Main Tower has a slated hip roof, custom railings with circle-square-triangle cut-outs, open slide and ADA Transfer system with 2 steps.



Fort Bing

$36,915.00

This price is for fabrication only. Additional fees apply for design changes and modifications, delivery, and installation.


Specifications

Main Tower:

  • 4' x 4' x 11' high 2-story Tower (16 SQ FT with 3' deck height) with 29" high custom railings with circle-square-triangle cut-outs above and picket railing below;

  • with 5' x 5' single layered redwood slatted 50% open Hip Roof;

  • with 3' wide x 6' long x 3' high Open Slide;

  • with 2' diameter x 4' long Crawl Tube attached below the deck,

  • with redwood trim siding around each tunnel opening.

ADA Handicap Transfer System:

  • (2) steps with Ship's Railing up to Transfer Platform with handles;

  • (3) steps with Ship's Railing up to deck;

  • Applied circle-square-triangle cut-outs.


Tops Treehouse

 
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TOPS Treehouse was custom designed and built for the 2 through 5 year-olds attending The Orinda Preschool.


In operation since 1938, The Orinda Preschool’s play-based curriculum offers the children copious amounts of self-directed exploration, and what better environment to explore than a treehouse?

Surrounding a giant oak tree, this play structure provides a secure way for very young children to experience play activities up amongst the tree branches. The rung ladder and the ADA transfer platform system provide easy ways up to the 4' high deck. The hand-woven rope net ladder is the more challenging way up to the 5' high deck, which also has a scoop slide for a quick, fun way down. TOPS Treehouse complies with the ASTM F1487-11 Standards for Public Use Playground Equipment and the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.



TOPS Treehouse

$71,185.00

This price is for fabrication only. Additional fees apply for design changes and modifications, delivery, and installation.


Specifications

Wood Stains used in Construction

 
 

TOPS Treehouse

48"-high 5-sided Deck approximately 4' x 6.5' (25 SQ FT) supported with 3 footing posts with knee braces, and with:

  • 36" high hand-woven rope net railing

  • ADA Transfer System: transfer step & platform with handles and (3) steps with 36" high rope railing, supported with 3 footings

  • Rung ladder

60" high square Deck with jog, approximately 8' x 8' (64 SQ FT) built around and attached to tree with knee braces & custom hardware and supported with footing posts, and with:

  • 3 sides of 72" high 2-tiered hand-woven rope net railing, with additional interior layer of non-climbable rope netting on upper tier of railing

  • Hand-woven Rope Net Ladder

  • Commercial grade Open Slide for 5' high deck


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