Start with four details: where the playground will go, the available space, the children’s ages and abilities, and the approximate budget. Browse Bears product families for inspiration, then request a free concept drawing customized to your site and preferences.

Residential playgrounds are designed for home-use environments with different railing height regulations and more allowances. Commercial playgrounds are built for public or shared settings and follow different design and safety requirements. A home-use model should not be installed at a school, daycare, church, campground, restaurant, municipality, HOA or other commercial location.

The appropriate age range depends on the model and setting. Bears publishes Commercial options for specific age groups and recommends separate age-appropriate areas when possible. Share the children’s ages and abilities during design so Bears can recommend suitable structures and activities. Standard Commercial age ranges are as followed 2-5 years, 5-12 years, 2-12 years, and 6-23 months old.

Pricing depends on the model, accessories, Residential or Commercial construction, safety surfacing, shipping, installation and site access. Many product pages show equipment pricing before shipping and installation. For an accurate total, provide the product or features you like, project ZIP code, site dimensions and installation preference. We can put together a cost free quote with exact pricing.

Bears ships playgrounds nationwide and beyond. We have shipped playgrounds to Canada, Cayman Islands, Morocco, Egypt and more! Customers can choose Bears delivery and installation or shipment for installation by others. Availability and cost depend on project size, destination, schedule, access and installation requirements.

Some playgrounds can be shipped for installation by the customer or a qualified contractor using supplied instructions. Before choosing self-installation, ask Bears about unloading, equipment, anchoring, safety surfacing, use zones and any Commercial requirements that apply to the project.

Yes. Bears can modify an existing model or develop a custom design based on the space, budget, children’s ages, desired activities, site conditions and visual preferences. Our design services are offered without cost or obligation and can be revised as project details develop. The more information you can give us about your site, the better. Emailing us any site photos and/or dimensions will help us further customize to your needs.

Bears uses whole cedar logs to create strong, distinctive, nature-inspired playgrounds. Cedar fits naturally into residential, park, school, campground and outdoor-learning environments. Because real logs vary in shape and grain, every structure has its own character. Cedar logs are also a high quality material and gives off a natural insect repellent.

Yes, natural cracks known as checking can occur as logs release moisture. Bears explains that checking is a normal characteristic of real-log construction and does not indicate a structural defect. Owners should follow the published inspection and maintenance instructions and contact Bears with concerns about a specific component.

Playgrounds should be inspected on a consistent schedule, with different items checked before use, during the play season, monthly, seasonally or as conditions require. Maintenance includes hardware, moving parts, wood surfaces, anchoring, drainage and protective surfacing. Owners should keep completed inspection records.

The required area includes the equipment footprint and a surrounding use zone. Dimensions depend on the selected structure, height, swings and other moving components, and whether the project is residential or commercial. Bears can prepare a concept drawing showing the proposed layout and space requirements. Alternatively, you can provide Bears with the dimensions of your available space, and Bears will create a complimentary design showing what will fit in the area.

Many Bears designs follow a Grow with Me philosophy and can support adjustments or additions as children’s abilities and needs change. Expansion options depend on the original model, available space, use zones and Residential or Commercial requirements. Ask Bears to plan future growth during the initial design.

The appropriate surface depends on the equipment, fall height, use zone, accessibility goals, drainage, budget and local requirements. Bears offers options including certified engineered wood fiber, rubber mulch and rubber tile systems.

Bears can incorporate features such as transfer stations and ground-level play activities into Commercial designs. Accessibility should be evaluated across the complete site, including routes, surfacing and play components. Discuss accessibility goals early so they can be considered in the concept drawing.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may require your playground to be accessible. We can assist you with designs that meet these requirements, be we recommend consulting with your legal consel regarding local regulations. Accessible surfacing must be utilized in applicable areas for equipment to be considered compliant.

Our equipment is designed to comply with ASTM 1487 standards for the age groups specified in our designs. We always recommend proper adult supervision and the installation of certified safety surfacing ( such as 9 inches of wood mulch) in all use zones.

Bears publishes different warranty periods for structural cedar components and other parts. Coverage is subject to current warranty terms, proper use, documented inspection and maintenance requirements. Review the current warranty for coverage periods, exclusions, replacement-part terms and owner responsibilities.

Bears offers commercial playground collections for shared-use environments, including options for early-childhood and older age groups. The right design depends on users, capacity, site size, accessibility goals, surfacing, supervision and applicable requirements. Start with the Commercial collection and request a site-specific concept.

Bears offers Residential and Commercial accessories along with independent-play components such as swings, balance activities and other freestanding events. Available additions and placement depend on the structure, user group, space and safety requirements. Browse the relevant accessory collection or include desired activities in the design request.

Some Bears designs can accommodate less-than-perfectly-level or irregular sites, but the final approach depends on slope, drainage, access, use zones and installation requirements. Send photographs, measurements and site details so the design team can evaluate the property before quoting.

Send the project ZIP code, available dimensions, children’s ages, Residential or Commercial setting, preferred activities, approximate budget, installation preference and any site-access concerns. Photographs and inspiration products are also useful. Bears can revise the drawing as more information becomes available.

Timing varies by project complexity, revision needs, product availability, season, shipping destination and installation scope. Contact Bears for a current project schedule after sharing the desired design, location and target completion date.

Yes. We can help you source replacement parts like swing beams, tree hoppers, or hardware. Please contact our office with your project details so we can assist you with an estimate.