Playground equipment manufacturers
Playground Equipment Manufacturers Side by Side
| Manufacturer | Based in | Product lines | Owned by | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Structures | Delano, Minnesota | PlayBooster, PlayShaper, Evos, Weevos | Independent (founded by Steve and Barb King) | 100 years on main posts and fasteners (limited) |
| GameTime | Fort Payne, Alabama | PowerScape, PrimeTime, Xscape, IONiX, Modern City | PlayCore | Lifetime on main posts and all hardware (limited) |
| Playworld | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | Challengers, NEOS, inclusive and multigenerational play | PlayPower (since 2016) | Lifetime on posts and hardware |
| BCI Burke | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Nucleus, Intensity, Synergy, Level X | Independent | 100 years on posts and hardware (limited) |
| Little Tikes Commercial | Monett, Missouri | Kid Builders inclusive play and commercial play structures | PlayPower (Little Tikes name used under license) | Lifetime on deck posts and aluminum parts (limited) |
| Miracle Recreation | Monett, Missouri | Miracle Whirl merry-go-round, play structures | PlayPower | The main plastic, steel, and coated parts carry a 15-year warranty. |
| KOMPAN | Denmark | Play sculptures, play structures, outdoor fitness | Independent (Danish) | Lifetime on some parts, 15 years on others |
| Superior Recreational Products | Carrollton, Georgia | Site amenities, shade structures, playground equipment, and shelter structures | Independent | Lifetime on posts and hardware |
Each manufacturer page lists its own sources; two of them are playlsi.com and gametime.com.
A handful of playground equipment manufacturers build most of the play structures you see at schools, parks, churches and preschools. You don't buy from the factory yourself: a local dealer sells the equipment, delivers it and puts it in. The brands differ mainly in who owns them and how long their warranty lasts.
What Do Playground Equipment Companies Charge?
The price a manufacturer lists covers the play structure only. On top of it come the delivery charge (called freight), the installation and the soft ground cover that cushions falls. Most groups pick engineered wood fiber, which is wood chips made for playgrounds and the cheapest ground cover to put in.
| Children at Once | Equipment Price | Total With Wood Fiber |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | $15,000 | $24,900 to $28,700 |
| 30 | $30,000 | $49,900 to $57,400 |
| 50 | $50,000 | $83,100 to $95,600 |
| 80 | $80,000 | $133,000 to $153,000 |
To see the range for your own group, enter the number of children in our cost estimate.
How the Warranties Compare
Think of a warranty as the manufacturer's promise in writing: if a covered part breaks in normal use, it gets replaced. The part that matters most is the coverage on the main posts that hold the structure up and on the metal bolts and fittings (the hardware). Landscape Structures and BCI Burke cover those for 100 years. Miracle Recreation gives 15 years of cover on its main plastic and steel parts. KOMPAN, a company from Denmark, founded in 1970, covers some parts for as long as they stay installed and others for 15 years. A "limited" warranty means the promise has conditions, so ask the dealer for the written terms.
How To Get Quotes From Playground Equipment Suppliers
Few committees buy directly from a factory. Instead you deal with a local dealer or a manufacturers' representative, a person who sells one brand in your region. They look at your site, draw the layout and arrange the installation. Our grants finder lists the funding programs in your state, and GameTime runs a matching program that adds extra value toward its own equipment. Once you want to compare prices, send one short quote request and dealers in your area will price the equipment, the ground cover and the installation.
Common Questions About Playground Equipment Manufacturers
What companies make playground equipment?
Eight manufacturers make most of the equipment for schools, churches and parks. Three of them belong to the same parent company, PlayPower: Playworld, Miracle Recreation and Little Tikes Commercial. GameTime is owned by PlayCore. Landscape Structures, BCI Burke, KOMPAN and Superior Recreational Products each stand on their own.
Which playground equipment manufacturers are the best?
The right manufacturer depends on the site, so most committees compare the warranty and the company's track record. GameTime has built playgrounds since 1929 and BCI Burke has been making play equipment since 1935. Superior Recreational Products and Playworld both give a lifetime warranty on their main metal posts and fittings.
Which playground equipment brands are the best?
It depends on the children who will use the playground. If children with disabilities will play there, look at lines built so all children can play side by side, such as Kid Builders from Little Tikes Commercial, whose school warranty covers the main platform posts for life. Landscape Structures and GameTime also sell several lines, and a local dealer can match one to your budget.
What is the cost of the ground surface under playground equipment?
It depends on the size of the play area and the material. On a 1,000 square foot area, engineered wood fiber comes to $3,500 to $5,500 and rubber tiles $5,000 to $8,000. Poured rubber, a smooth surface mixed on site, and artificial turf cost more.
Get quotes from dealers for these brands
Tell us about the site once. Dealers who sell commercial playground equipment in your area use it to quote equipment, surfacing and installation.