School playgrounds are one of the most important features of a school. Through successful fundraising efforts, your PTO or PTA can raise the funds needed to purchase new playground equipment. Below, we round up popular playground equipment providers to help your group find the one that fits your school community's needs.
The Benefits of School Playgrounds
Investing in a well-maintained and accessible school playground is an important initiative for many PTO and PTA groups—and for good reason! Playgrounds provide a safe outdoor space for students to engage in regular physical activity on school grounds (which is linked to greater academic achievement).
From climbing structures to gaga ball pits and interactive learning walls, playground activities also stimulate cognitive development as kids are exposed to concepts like cause and effect, and help students develop motor skills and essential life skills, like making friends, taking turns (that line for gaga ball...right?!), and conflict resolution.
Playgrounds are also a great spot for your PTO to hold meet and greet events with new families (be sure to inspect your playground equipment beforehand). Many PTOs will host a “Popsicles on the Playground” event during the back-to-school season to bring new families together in a relaxed setting. Parents get to know each other and the PTO members, and kids get to make new friends while playing together on the playground. It’s a win-win!
Inclusive School Playgrounds Ensure Play Equity
Inclusive playground equipment and sensory paths accommodate the diverse needs of students and promote social integration among children of varying abilities. A well-designed playground ensures that all children, regardless of ability, can participate in play.
Finding a Reputable School Playground Equipment Company
Playground projects are among the most expensive projects for PTOs to fund, so it’s important to do your research. If there’s an existing playground at your school, give it a close inspection to determine whether it needs a complete overhaul or simply some new equipment. A typical playground project can take 6 to 9 months from the start of planning until installation.
And remember, working with a well-established and reputable playground equipment provider is key. Below, we highlight a few of the top playground equipment providers that can help your parent group plan and purchase the equipment that’s right for your school's needs. Give them a look to find the one that works best for your school.
BCI Burke
Company Overview
At Burke, play is our passion, our mission and our business and bringing Play That Moves You® to the communities we serve is what we love and what we do. As we design the products and spaces that will be part of your school community, we look to the six pillars of Play That Moves You – Development, Research, Innovation, Design, Wellness and Connection – to guide us and help us bring the best in play, playground, outdoor recreation, fitness and learning to people of all ages and abilities. Join Our Movement and help everyone find the best of themselves through play.
Features and Benefits
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More than 100 years in Play
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Research Based Design
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Product Innovation
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Best Customer Care Team
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Fostering Inclusion
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Representative Partnerships
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Play That Moves You®
Product Catalog
The 2024 Burke Playground & Recreation Design Guide is full of inspiration and innovation. New for 2024 is Nucleus Aspire™ an event full of excitement and exploration with intricate climbers and fast slides that provide the ultimate adventure. The 360 Loop™ redefines play equity and creates space for more development and independence for children of all abilities. Using this transfer, climb, slide combination, all children will be able to play together! Browse the catalog for more!
Landscape Structures
Company Overview
Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment worldwide. Our cutting-edge designs and research-driven innovations allow us to create school playgrounds that inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders. We design school playgrounds to meet kids where they are, helping them become smarter, healthier, and stronger through play. We push the limits—of design, inclusion and play—to help kids realize there is no limit to what they can do today and in the future. For a better tomorrow, we play today.
Features and Benefits
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The leader in product innovation and world-class manufacturing since 1971
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Leading the way in inclusive play with subject-matter experts and a team of dedicated designers
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Expert designers collaborate to customize and create unique, personalized school playgrounds
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Highly trained and responsive local playground consultants are with you every step of the way
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Superior materials, fit and finishes will ensure your playgrounds are built to last decades
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All products are backed by the most comprehensive long-term warranty in the industry
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As a 100% employee-owned company, employees commit to top-tier service, innovation and design
What Schools & Parent Groups Are Saying About Landscape Structures
“Community School Association had the pleasure of working with our local Landscape Structures’ playground consultant, M. E. O’Brien and Sons, Inc. to design and build a new playground for our elementary school. They were hands-on for the entire process, answered all our questions in a timely and professional manner, and guided us through the entire process from the first design to the final installation. Landscape Structures delivered many playground design options and there was something for all levels of physical development and for every budget. We are so impressed with the quality of the materials used for our playground, and the students couldn’t be happier. If you have the opportunity to work with Landscape Structures and their playground consultants, do not hesitate, your school will be very satisfied with the end result!”
—Community School Association, Community Elementary School, Cumberland, RI
Product Catalog
At Landscape Structures, we're serious about play. Because play gives kids the tools they'll need and use for the rest of their lives. From striking design, to industry-leading innovation, to truly inclusive play environments, we know that our approach is the right one for kids, families and communities. We play by putting our hearts, minds and talents into enabling better play for all. Welcome to our world of play.
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Discount Playground Supply
Company Overview
At Discount Playground Supply, we don't install or repair playgrounds, but we do carry all the items needed to maintain playgrounds, parks and field sports areas. We've been in business since 2012 serving parks, schools, PTO,s PTAs, day cares, municipalities, HOAs and property managers.
Features and Benefits
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Discount Playground Supply partners with Action Play Systems to bring you the best products supported by top notch customer service
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Real, live, knowledgeable product experts are always only a call, text, chat, or email away
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We will match or beat any competitor’s price
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When you buy Action Play Systems products from Discount Playground Supply, you are supporting local small businesses that offer American Made Products
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The best playground borders, Gaga Ball Pits, and wear mats in the industry with the best warranty
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We work regularly with PTO and PTA officers and school administrators on a daily basis
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Any questions, just ask! If we don’t have the answers, we’ll find it quickly and report back to you ASAP
What Schools & Parent Groups Are Saying About Discount Playground Supply
“Love the quick delivery and help with ordering online. The children are going to love it.”
—Denise W.
Product Catalog & Special Offer
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