PlayQuest Recreation

Weather is unpredictable, but having a shade sail or shelter structure can help protect you from the rain and sun and let you stay outside longer.

Shade sails are great for protecting equipment from the damaging effects of the sun while keeping it cooler so kids can play safely. They’re also perfect for patios, parks, and other outdoor spaces where you want a little less sun.

Structures like picnic shelters, gazebos, pavilions, and pergolas are excellent for shielding from the elements to create areas that can be used year-round.

Available residentially or commercially, we can help you find what option works best for your park, school, business, or home: https://playquest.ca/playgrounds/shade-structure/

Today is the International Day of Play, a day that reminds us that when we protect play, we protect childhood. Regardless of age, language, culture, or economic status, play is a universal language that brings people together, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for children to thrive.

Earlier this year, a team of seven PlayQuest team members experienced this firsthand as they travelled from Canada to San Roman, Belize, to build a playground at United Community Primary School in the southern part of the country.

Read more about it on our blog: https://playquest.ca/news/playquest-brings-joy-of-play-to-belize-community/

Tell us below where your favourite playground is - home or abroad!

When we asked our sales reps what their favourite piece of accessible equipment was, the number one answer was the Burke 360 Loop slide collection – and with good reason! It’s specially designed so kids can transfer, climb, slide, and repeat with ease. Together with the 360 Loop Connection, it creates a seamless pathway to link the slide with ground-level play.

Here’s what some of our reps had to say:

“No one wants to feel left out on the playground, and the 360 Loop Connection Slide removes those barriers so kids can play and participate independently. It’s a lot of fun for a lot of kids!” - Austin Wood, British Columbia (Lower mainland and Vancouver Island)

“I really like it because it means kids can continue participating in play without needing to constantly transfer between their wheelchair and playground equipment.” - Brenden Kjelgren, British Columbia (Interior)

“The 360 Loop slide is my favourite piece of accessible equipment because it’s accessible without you realizing it. Kids can transition on and off the structure by themselves more easily, so they can be full participants in side-by-side play and join in the playground adventures.” - Shane Wall, Manitoba and Ontario

Wherever you are in Canada, if you’re looking to build a new park or want to add more accessible equipment to your local playground – like the Orbit, Volta, and 360 Loop – we have reps coast to coast. They’ll help you through the whole process from grant writing to design to installation, so the only circles you’ll be doing will be on your new spinner! https://playquest.ca/contact/

Projects pictured:
Maven Lane, Vernon, British Columbia
Kensington School, Edmonton, Alberta

Did you like getting dizzy on the merry-go-round as a kid? A typical playground staple, it can be a lot of fun but not always accessible. Thankfully, there’s a solution for that; the ‘Inclusive Orbit’ from Burke. For our Saskatchewan sales representative Cody Vollman, it’s one of his favourite pieces of accessible equipment because of the easy entry onto the platform and how it sits flush into the ground, meaning kids of all ages and abilities can go for a spin!

Want to add an Inclusive Orbit (or other accessible equipment) to your playground? If you’re in Saskatchewan, reach out to Cody to find out more: [email protected]

For the rest of Canada, find your local rep on our website: https://playquest.ca/contact/

Did you spot the Orbit in our post on Monday?

Layout plays a big part in playground accessibility. A good layout will allow kids to move around, between, and onto play structures more easily – especially with mobility aids – while creating zones of age and ability-appropriate challenges. Wide paths, ground level sensory play, ramps, and transfer-friendly equipment and space all factor into creating an accessible and enriching experience.

Playgrounds are designed to be welcoming for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. When the physical barriers to play are removed, it can also remove the social barriers, making playtime more positive and enjoyable, helping to improve mental and emotional health.

We can help you design an accessible layout for your playground project! https://playquest.ca/contact/

Projects pictured:
John Maclure School, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Calmar Elementary School, Calmar, Alberta
Peerless Trout First Nation, Peerless Lake, Alberta

(P.S. There's another accessible equipment fave in one of these photos... can you guess what it is?)

It’s National Accessibility Week! From footing to equipment, there are lots of ways to make playgrounds and splash parks accessible so more people can use them.

Starting with footing – if you think running in the sand is hard, try pushing a stroller, walker, or wheelchair. One of the best options for accessible playgrounds is rubber surfacing because it offers great shock absorption, and the smoothness allows wheels to roll and spin more easily.

If you’re interested in building or upgrading your local playground to be more accessible, we can help! Reach out to your local PlayQuest representative: https://playquest.ca/contact/

Check out some of the parks we’ve installed rubber surfacing in:
Second Divison Playground, Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
Kensington School, Edmonton, Alberta (Spoiler alert: This park features one of our rep’s favourite pieces of equipment! Can you guess what it is?)

Today is International Day of Families and this year’s focus is “Families, Inequalities, and Child Wellbeing.” Family plays one of, if not, the most important role in a child’s social development. Households without adequate support systems, especially those with young children, are more likely to face setbacks or risk experiencing poverty which can have long-term impacts on a child’s health, education, and wellbeing. Inequalities such as gender, race, and disability can further compound these challenges.

Playgrounds are one of the few places where children can interact freely with others and the main goal is having fun together and developing their skills. They offer an unrestricted meeting place for communities to come together and support each other. For communities that are underfunded or underserved, there are grants available that can provide the means to building or improving these spaces, and we can help: https://playquest.ca/planning/playground-grants-and-funding/

Over the past year, we’ve been working with the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) in Vernon to build two new playgrounds. In September, we built one for their new grade school and this past March, we finished one for their early learning preschool.

Featuring equipment from Burke and Eskair, the playgrounds have been designed with accessibility and cultural connection in mind, which is reflected in the rubber surfacing featuring paw prints, fish, and colours of land, sand, and sky in the Okanagan Valley.

We hope the kids of OKIB enjoy their new playgrounds in and out of school!

If your school needs a new playground, we can help make it happen. Get in touch with the PlayQuest team member from your province: https://playquest.ca/contact/

Today is the National Day of Mourning for workers who have been injured or lost their life due to a workplace tragedy. Marked annually, we honour those whose lives have been inextricably changed or lost while calling for organizations to collectively renew and improve their commitments to health and safety in the workplace.

Safety is a core part of our company – not just for kids, but for those involved in the construction and building process. We support education and training for our employees to proactively recognize potential hazards and help prevent future accidents because we want people to feel safe, valued, and thrive – on and off the equipment.

Learn more about how we keep our workers safe: https://playquest.ca/contact/

The end of National Playground Safety Week doesn’t mean it’s time to play recklessly! Safety is an everyday practice, no matter what age or time of year, which leads us to our last tip – age-appropriate equipment.

Not every child grows or develops at the same rate and using equipment that is suitable for their mental and physical capabilities can help prevent injuries while supporting their motor skills and muscle strength. Playgrounds are built to cater to the typical needs, likes, and abilities of certain age ranges, but it’s up to the supervising grownup to determine whether or not something is safe for the child and be there to assist them when they are ready to try equipment that’s new to them.

As kids get older, they can also be taught safer techniques to help break their falls like tucking and rolling so when they do play on bigger, new or unknown equipment, they can potentially prevent injuries or concussions.

Summer is just around the corner which means more daylight for play. Remember your safety tips as you get outside more and most importantly, have fun!