Outdoor Playground Equipment for All Shapes and Sizes

Play is an important part of childhood and crucial to the development of all children. From climbing to sliding to spinning, games and more, children learn important skills through play that transcend into the rest of their lives and give them a basis for growth. Here's just a few beautiful, new playgrounds.

Kennedy Krieger Institute - Windsor Mill, Maryland

The Early Childhood Development and Education Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute has opened a fully accessible playground that allows children of all ages and abilities to engage in interactive play. Based outside Baltimore, Maryland, the Institute provides care for children with learning and developmental disabilities as well as nervous system disorders, conditions and diseases. The playground welcomes all children for play, learning, socialization and growth. Featuring a ramped structure full of discovery and play value, this outdoor environment provides children ages 6-23 months and 2-5 years old an opportunity for age-appropriate challenge and fun.

This playground offers a vibrant and unique experience for all children. A bright color palette draws kids into the space and a variety of play opportunities keep them there. The inclusive design starts with surfacing that is flush with the perimeter allowing children to create their own pathways for play. Ramps bring everyone together into the heart of play where they will find slides, climbers, the surprise of the Innova^® Bridge and the excitement of the 360 Loop^®, an innovation that brings more children into the circle of play – transferring, climbing, then sliding. Around the play structure are freestanding play events where sensory and imagination come to life. The ArtSpot™ and Sand & Water Play foster creativity while Discovery Stations™ encourage role and pretend play. Adding learning and language development to the already robust offering of play options are StemPlay^® panels and PlayEnsemble^® musical components.

Douglass Community Center - Leesburg, Virginia

Outdoor spaces serve many purposes – learning, developing, adventuring, engaging, socializing and helping communities find the best of themselves through outdoor play. The playspace at Douglass Community Center has another purpose – to be a place where American history is taught and honored and where contributions by Black people are highlighted in a way that will inspire future generations. The Douglass School is an important part of the community both historically and currently. It was built by the African American community in 1941 and on the grounds in now a playspace where all community members can learn about the history of the school and the history of Black Americans in a child-directed way through play. Custom pieces tell the story of important milestones in history while panels throughout the space provide historic facts that will help build understanding and provide historical, and current, information to all users. This space combines everything that is incredible about the potential of play for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Portsmouth City Park - Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth City Park, a popular destination for both community members and visitors, is a beautiful greenspace located on the shores of the Elizabeth River in the city of Portsmouth, VA. The park is full of adventure with golf, kayaking, fishing and now, a new playground that offers an incredible play experience to children of all ages and abilities. With spaces for 2-5- and 5–12-year-old children and a pavilion full of comfortable seating where parents and caregivers can supervise both playspaces, this exciting park is a gathering space that will help everyone find the best of themselves through play.

Mayfair HOA - Purcellville, Virginia

Using a beautiful setting with new townhomes about an hour outside of Washington DC in Purcellville, VA, the Mayfair HOA created a fun, engaging space for residents to host parties, play basketball and enjoy imaginative play! Featuring a BCI Burke TimberTower, a playground centerpiece that has the feel and texture of real rock and wood, this BCI Burke^® Nucleus^® commercial playground encourages imagination and interaction with nature in a play environment designed for children 5-12.

Utica District Park - Frederick, Maryland

Utica District Park is an ideal recreation setting in Frederick, Maryland that provides beautiful mountain views as its backdrop. It is the largest district park in Frederick County and includes athletic fields, walking trails, shelters and playground equipment. Recently, the park underwent an update of its original playground equipment as well as a phase two expansion with a newly identified playground area. Overall, six new playground structures were added over three different sites. In the new section of the park, the BCI Burke Nucleus^® playground is a vibrant place for kids to explore and find lots of ways to move. It features colorful Ara Shades that are both inviting and necessary as a break from the sun. There is plenty of motion play on the Rev8, BCI Burke’s rotating climber and modern version of a merry-go-round. Accessible ramps and Freedom Swing Seats also make this playground welcoming to the entire community. The new park additions have been extremely well-received by residents of the community. Utica District Park provides the ultimate space for individuals and families to connect with community and nature. Experience Utica District Park by viewing the flyover video below.

Briar Patch Park - Sterling, Virginia

Briar Patch Park is in Sterling, Virginia, one of the first planned communities in Loudoun County. Briar Patch Park recently received a playground equipment upgrade that includes some exciting new elements. The playground features Burke’s NaturePlay^® line including the TimberTower and ClubHouse^® panels/roof options that give a treehouse feeling to the entire park. The playground also includes plenty of climbing opportunity in the Plexus Overhead Climber and the RopeVenture^® Revolv. Climbing promotes healthy physical and mental development in children. Climbers like these allow kids to be socially interactive. They also allow for creativity of movement all while building core strength.

Thoughtfully designed parks like Briar Patch bring communities together. There are spaces for kids 5-12 years old as well as spaces designed specifically for the littlest users, ages 2-5. One of the 5-12 play structures has ramps that lead to the Burke Cruiser^™, an inclusive motion play experience that accommodates two wheelchairs and two full benches. The surfacing of the playground is bonded rubber, which provides excellent fall protection as well as ease of use for anyone with mobility issues. Shades round out community gathering spaces and provide a way to take a much-needed break on hot sunny days. Click on the flyover video below to experience Briar Patch Park.