Articles

Cunningham Recreation’s 2025 Year in Review highlights some of our favorite playground projects from across the country—vibrant, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed spaces that bring communities together through the power of play. From themed school playgrounds and destination parks to fully accessible designs with custom climbers, sensory elements, and modern surfacing, each project reflects our commitment to creating safe, engaging environments where every child can explore, move, and connect. Explore the recap to see how we helped communities reimagine play in 2025.

A beautiful park or playground can do more than enhance a landscape—it can transform a community. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces attract new residents, encourage connection, and create places where people truly want to live. From family-friendly playgrounds and outdoor fitness zones to walking trails and shaded gathering areas, these amenities boost well-being and build neighborhood pride. At Cunningham Recreation, we help communities design parks and play spaces that make every property feel like home.

Play doesn’t have an off-season—it just changes with the weather. From splashing in puddles to jumping in autumn leaves or building snow forts, every season offers new ways for kids to move, imagine, and explore. Year-round outdoor play keeps children active, healthy, and connected to nature while strengthening communities along the way. With thoughtful design and durable equipment, Cunningham Recreation helps create playgrounds that invite play in every season—rain, snow, or shine.

Every student deserves a place to play, explore, and belong. As schools look for new ways to promote inclusion, playgrounds are becoming powerful tools for connection and learning. Today’s innovative designs go far beyond accessibility—they create multi-sensory experiences, encourage social interaction, and invite students of all abilities to play side by side. From musical play panels and sensory gardens to smart surfacing and interactive technology, inclusive playgrounds are shaping the future of education—one play space at a time.

When Westside Community Schools set out to modernize their facilities, they knew playgrounds would play a vital role in creating safe, inspiring spaces for students. But after facing challenges with earlier projects, the district needed a trusted partner who could deliver reliable solutions and lasting results.

Cunningham Recreation stepped in to guide the process—from assessing every site and listening to community feedback to developing thoughtful designs and ensuring smooth installation. The result: a new playground at Rockbrook Elementary that opened just in time for the first day of school, bringing smiles, excitement, and a renewed sense of pride to the entire community.

Playgrounds aren’t just for kids anymore—they’re becoming vibrant community spaces for every generation. By thoughtfully including seniors in playground planning, communities create places where grandparents, parents, and children can connect, stay active, and enjoy meaningful time together. With features like low-impact fitness equipment, shaded seating, and intergenerational play elements, these spaces promote wellness, reduce isolation, and celebrate the value of all ages.

On Sunday mornings, churches are filled with music, teaching, and fellowship. But when the service ends, where do families go to connect, laugh, and play together? Increasingly, the answer is outside—to thoughtfully designed church playgrounds.

More than just a place for kids to climb and slide, church playgrounds can reflect a congregation’s values, weave in faith-based themes, and create welcoming spaces for fellowship. From Noah’s Ark structures to family-friendly gathering areas, these playgrounds strengthen community, inspire connection, and show families they are valued.

When families head to the park, it’s usually the kids who get all the action while parents and grandparents look on. But what if play and fitness could bring every generation together?

That’s exactly what Family Fit Zones are designed to do. By combining playgrounds, fitness equipment, and interactive features, these unique spaces give children, teens, adults, and seniors a chance to be active side by side. More than just playgrounds, they’re destinations where fun meets wellness, and where communities grow healthier and stronger together.

When people think of urban revitalization projects, their minds often go to new businesses, housing developments, or road repairs. But one of the most powerful (and often underestimated) tools for breathing life back into a neighborhood is a playground. These colorful, creative spaces provide a space for kids to play, as well as serve as community hubs, gathering points, and symbols of positive change.

Playgrounds aren’t just for kids anymore—they’re becoming vibrant community spaces for every generation. By thoughtfully including seniors in playground planning, communities create places where grandparents, parents, and children can connect, stay active, and enjoy meaningful time together. With features like low-impact fitness equipment, shaded seating, and intergenerational play elements, these spaces promote wellness, reduce isolation, and celebrate the value of all ages.