I began building my play structure in 2019 in a bare part of the back garden. It had been planted, but I had a hard time maintaining it. The idea was to create a play area for my two girls, now six and three, so that they could enjoy the backyard as they were growing up. I also liked the idea that I could see them there from the house. My plan revolved around one main structure which was built in fits and starts. It now has a slide, crane, climbing wall and several platforms as well as a catwalk.
Although I started with the structure, friends and family began to suggest additional features, and helped me build them. A balance beam, 'stepping stones' and a log were added between the play structure and the remaining garden.
There was already a sandbox on the other side of the structure, which I had built with my dad. I added a blackboard, and just recently, a mud kitchen. This area had already been paved with patio stones, and I built right on them, attaching the blackboard to the side of the existing shed with carriage bolts.
There had been a stone path through the garden, which was removed when the structure was built. Afterward the stones were laid beside the play structure on a bed of dirt, since that's where the ladder is. You can see the stones in the photo above, and below near the ladder.
The sandbox was based loosely on a design I found online. It has a cover which opens and folds into a seat.
Behind the sandbox there's another way to access the structure by a ramp my dad calls the 'chicken run'.
The structure itself has a few great features. One of my favourites is a crane that was built by a welder friend. It swings 180 degrees and has a big slip hook. As you can see, it is mounted on a tall pole. These are 12 foot fence posts I got from a farming supply store. There is one on each corner of the structure, which is trapezoidal rather than rectangular.
I bought the slide and the climbing holds off of people who were selling them on Kijiji. I also mounted two brass bells using straps that had been used to secure a new tree in the front yard.
I had considered a shade sail but since there is already a large maple in the yard and over hanging trees on our neighbour's properties, the structure itself gets only a few hours of full sun each day. I prefer that it is kept open anyway.
On this picture above you can see that I've added a mailbox as well as a squirrel picnic table that our neighbours built. Here is a picture of the bell.
Overall, I'm quite happy with how it turned out, especially since I didn't really have the full design in mind at the beginning. The girls enjoy it and it is a fun thing for them to share with the neighbour kids or their friends. The full integration of the play structure into the garden is not entirely complete though. We are presently considering what could be grown on the chain link portion of the back fence, more for looks than anything, although fruit bearing would be a great option. If you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them!
Although I started with the structure, friends and family began to suggest additional features, and helped me build them. A balance beam, 'stepping stones' and a log were added between the play structure and the remaining garden.
There was already a sandbox on the other side of the structure, which I had built with my dad. I added a blackboard, and just recently, a mud kitchen. This area had already been paved with patio stones, and I built right on them, attaching the blackboard to the side of the existing shed with carriage bolts.
There had been a stone path through the garden, which was removed when the structure was built. Afterward the stones were laid beside the play structure on a bed of dirt, since that's where the ladder is. You can see the stones in the photo above, and below near the ladder.
The sandbox was based loosely on a design I found online. It has a cover which opens and folds into a seat.
Behind the sandbox there's another way to access the structure by a ramp my dad calls the 'chicken run'.
The structure itself has a few great features. One of my favourites is a crane that was built by a welder friend. It swings 180 degrees and has a big slip hook. As you can see, it is mounted on a tall pole. These are 12 foot fence posts I got from a farming supply store. There is one on each corner of the structure, which is trapezoidal rather than rectangular.
I bought the slide and the climbing holds off of people who were selling them on Kijiji. I also mounted two brass bells using straps that had been used to secure a new tree in the front yard.
I had considered a shade sail but since there is already a large maple in the yard and over hanging trees on our neighbour's properties, the structure itself gets only a few hours of full sun each day. I prefer that it is kept open anyway.
On this picture above you can see that I've added a mailbox as well as a squirrel picnic table that our neighbours built. Here is a picture of the bell.
Overall, I'm quite happy with how it turned out, especially since I didn't really have the full design in mind at the beginning. The girls enjoy it and it is a fun thing for them to share with the neighbour kids or their friends. The full integration of the play structure into the garden is not entirely complete though. We are presently considering what could be grown on the chain link portion of the back fence, more for looks than anything, although fruit bearing would be a great option. If you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them!
My word you have made an exceptional job of all that! I wish you had been my dad. I had a sand pit when I was little - about 267 years ago, and just because all the local cats came and pooed in it, the sod filled it in with dirt and grew spuds instead