Every April, communities across the country celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM), a month dedicated to recognizing the impact of landscape architects on the spaces where we live, learn, and play. Established by the American Society of Landscape Architects, this annual celebration highlights how thoughtful design improves public spaces, strengthens communities, and enhances everyday experiences.
From parks and schools to community gathering spaces, landscape architects play a vital role in shaping environments that bring people together. At Cunningham Recreation, we’re proud to partner with landscape architects to help turn creative visions into engaging outdoor destinations that inspire play, movement, and connection.
Today’s outdoor environments are about much more than swings and slides. Communities are looking for spaces that encourage exploration, support physical activity, and create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages.
That’s why Cunningham Recreation works closely with landscape architects to design play environments that complement the surrounding landscape and reflect the unique character of each community.
Innovative play systems like those from GameTime allow designers to create dynamic and visually striking environments that integrate seamlessly into parks and public spaces. Rope-based play structures, sculptural elements, hillside slides, and organic layouts provide opportunities to move beyond traditional playground layouts and instead create immersive environments that encourage creativity and discovery.
By incorporating natural landforms and thoughtful design, play spaces can become an extension of the landscape itself, inviting children and families to explore, climb, balance, and imagine.
Modern parks and recreation spaces are increasingly designed to serve entire communities, not just children. Integrating outdoor fitness opportunities alongside play spaces helps encourage healthy lifestyles and creates spaces that remain active throughout the day.
Cunningham Recreation provides solutions that allow landscape architects to incorporate fitness elements that blend naturally into the site design. The GameTime Challenge Course offers engaging obstacle-style experiences that promote movement and friendly competition, while outdoor fitness systems such as Stadium, Thrive, and Thrive Studio provide durable exercise equipment designed for users of all abilities.
By combining play and fitness opportunities within one cohesive environment, communities can create destinations where children, teens, adults, and older adults can all stay active together.
Sometimes a project calls for something truly unique. Through custom theming and sculptural play environments, landscape architects can transform outdoor spaces into memorable destinations that tell a story.
Cunningham Recreation’s partnership with Landmark Design allows designers to create one-of-a-kind play experiences tailored to each project. From nature-inspired features and imaginative climbing landscapes to themed environments that reflect local culture or history, custom play structures can turn a park into a signature community landmark.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, our team works alongside landscape architects to develop environments that feel authentic to the community and encourage active play, creativity, and exploration.
Successful outdoor spaces are the result of collaboration. At Cunningham Recreation, we work alongside landscape architects throughout every stage of the design process, from early concepts and site planning to manufacturing and installation.
This partnership ensures that play and fitness elements integrate seamlessly with the overall landscape design while meeting the goals of the community and the vision of the design team.
Together, we can create spaces where thoughtful design encourages activity, connection, and lifelong memories.
World Landscape Architecture Month is an opportunity to recognize the professionals who shape the outdoor spaces we enjoy every day. Their creativity, expertise, and dedication help transform ordinary areas into vibrant community destinations.
At Cunningham Recreation, we’re proud to collaborate with landscape architects who are designing the parks, playgrounds, and public spaces of tomorrow.
Happy World Landscape Architecture Month!