Are you ready to take the next step toward creating a space where children can play, grow, and make memories in their community?
Whether you’re building a community park, upgrading a school playground, or designing a new space for a church or neighborhood, Cunningham Recreation is here to guide you every step of the way. Many people are often unsure of what comes next once the decision is made to build or upgrade a playground. With our help, you’ll feel more confident in the process and be able to enjoy a smooth and collaborative experience.
Here is a quick guide on how the pre- and post-order process works when partnering with Cunningham Recreation.
Step 1: Playground Consultation
Every great playground starts with a clear vision. What age groups will be using the playground? What equipment do you hope to have? Will the park include other amenities like playful paths, outdoor fitness stations, or water play?
When you schedule a consultation with our team, we’ll discuss your budget, the equipment you plan to install, your options for safety surfacing, and the site where building will take place. If you have concerns to address, such as old equipment that needs to be removed, now is the time to bring it up. By the end of the consultation, we’ll be able to blend your ideas with our expertise, bringing your vision to life!
Step 2: Custom Proposal
Once we understand your space and goals, our design team gets to work. We’ll create a custom layout and 3D renderings to help you visualize the possibilities. From themed playgrounds to inclusive play features, you’ll get a proposal that outlines your equipment, surfacing, layout, and estimated costs.
Need help with budgeting or grant opportunities? We’ll walk you through funding options too. Click here to learn more about the current GameTime Community Champions grant.
Step 3: Final Design
The proposed designs you receive are suggestions. If there are things you want added, removed, or changed, do so now. Cunningham Recreation has been in this industry since 1996, so we can quickly meet your needs whether you want to add a piece of equipment, lower your project cost, or incorporate more natural elements.
When the design has been approved and you’re ready to move forward, we’ll help finalize your order. We handle all the logistics—from placing the equipment order to coordinating delivery and installation timelines. Lead times vary depending on the manufacturer and project complexity, but we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
Step 4: Manufacturing and Shipping
With everything approved, your playground equipment is ordered and manufactured. Some playground systems, like GameTime’s Play Systems, are packaged as all-inclusive units, meaning all components arrive together in one complete order. Other elements, such as nets, climbers, or spinners, are typically ordered individually and can be mixed and matched to fit your design and budget.
No matter what type of equipment you’re ordering, you can expect everything to be crafted with care and precision. All equipment is then shipped directly to your site for the next phase: installation!
Step 5: Installation
To ensure your playground is safe and properly assembled, it's essential to work with experienced installation crews. This might mean partnering with Cunningham Recreation’s certified installers or organizing a community build with volunteers under a professionally trained supervisor through our installer network.
If you do choose our 5-star turnkey installations, you don’t have to worry about a thing! We will conduct a pre-install site review to make sure the environment you’ve chosen is the ideal place to install playground equipment. Once everything is cleared, we’ll prep the site, deliver the equipment, and build your playground.
Depending on the size and scope of your project, as well as who is handling installation, this part of the project can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Throughout the process, safety, compliance, and craftsmanship are top priorities.
Step 6: Final Inspection and Play!
If our certified installers install your equipment, you will have the opportunity to do a final walkthrough and make sure your playground is everything you imagined it would be! You can also trust our installers to meet all safety guidelines. Now, for the final piece: It’s time to open the playground and let the fun begin!
Ready to Build Something Amazing?
Cunningham Recreation combines expert guidance, high-quality equipment, and turnkey project management to make building or upgrading a playground easy from start to finish. Whether you need help designing an inclusive space or navigating permitting, we’re with you every step of the way.
Let’s turn your playground vision into reality. Contact Cunningham Recreation today or call 800-438-2780 to get started!
