---
title: Planning a Playground and Wondering Where to Start?
description: It is important to partner with a professional that can help you create a playground that best meets your needs, space and budget.
image: https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/Slide01-1.jpg
---

May Recreation

[![logo_for_may_recreation-25-years_1.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mayrec-theme/branding/logo-full-color-mayrec.png?width=325&height=115&name=logo-full-color-mayrec.png "logo_for_may_recreation-25-years_1.jpg")](https://mayrecreation.com/)

[800.964.6301](tel:800-964-6301)

- Recreational Products
  
  Show submenu for Recreational Products 
  
    - [Playground Systems](https://mayrecreation.com/playground-systems)
    - [Outdoor Fitness Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/outdoor-fitness-equipment)
    - [Sports Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/sports-equipment)
    - [Artificial Turf](https://mayrecreation.com/artificial-turf)
    - [Safety Surfacing](https://mayrecreation.com/safety-surfacing)
    - [Shade Structures](https://mayrecreation.com/shade-structures)
    - [Furnishings](https://mayrecreation.com/furnishings)
- [Recent Projects](https://mayrecreation.com/recent-projects)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [Articles](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog)
    - [Catalogs](https://mayrecreation.com/catalogs)
    - [Guides](https://mayrecreation.com/guides)
    - [Fundraising Resources](https://mayrecreation.com/fundraising-resources)
    - [Purchasing Options](https://mayrecreation.com/purchasing-options)
- About Us
  
  Show submenu for About Us 
  
    - [Our Company & Team](https://mayrecreation.com/about-us)
    - [Areas Served](https://mayrecreation.com/areas-served)
- [Contact Us](https://mayrecreation.com/contact)

- Recreational Products
  
  Show submenu for Recreational Products 
  
    - [Playground Systems](https://mayrecreation.com/playground-systems)
    - [Outdoor Fitness Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/outdoor-fitness-equipment)
    - [Sports Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/sports-equipment)
    - [Artificial Turf](https://mayrecreation.com/artificial-turf)
    - [Safety Surfacing](https://mayrecreation.com/safety-surfacing)
    - [Shade Structures](https://mayrecreation.com/shade-structures)
    - [Furnishings](https://mayrecreation.com/furnishings)
- [Recent Projects](https://mayrecreation.com/recent-projects)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [Articles](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog)
    - [Catalogs](https://mayrecreation.com/catalogs)
    - [Guides](https://mayrecreation.com/guides)
    - [Fundraising Resources](https://mayrecreation.com/fundraising-resources)
    - [Purchasing Options](https://mayrecreation.com/purchasing-options)
- About Us
  
  Show submenu for About Us 
  
    - [Our Company & Team](https://mayrecreation.com/about-us)
    - [Areas Served](https://mayrecreation.com/areas-served)
- [Contact Us](https://mayrecreation.com/contact)

Open main menu

[Valencia by Hillwood ![May Recreation logo](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/may-rec-theme/images/branding/mayrec/logo-mono-light-mayrec-symbol.png)](https://mayrecreation.com/)

Close menu

- Recreational Products
  
  Show submenu for Recreational Products 
  
    - [Playground Systems](https://mayrecreation.com/playground-systems)
    - [Outdoor Fitness Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/outdoor-fitness-equipment)
    - [Sports Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/sports-equipment)
    - [Artificial Turf](https://mayrecreation.com/artificial-turf)
    - [Safety Surfacing](https://mayrecreation.com/safety-surfacing)
    - [Shade Structures](https://mayrecreation.com/shade-structures)
    - [Furnishings](https://mayrecreation.com/furnishings)
- [Recent Projects](https://mayrecreation.com/recent-projects)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [Articles](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog)
    - [Catalogs](https://mayrecreation.com/catalogs)
    - [Guides](https://mayrecreation.com/guides)
    - [Fundraising Resources](https://mayrecreation.com/fundraising-resources)
    - [Purchasing Options](https://mayrecreation.com/purchasing-options)
- About Us
  
  Show submenu for About Us 
  
    - [Our Company & Team](https://mayrecreation.com/about-us)
    - [Areas Served](https://mayrecreation.com/areas-served)
- [Contact Us](https://mayrecreation.com/contact)

- Recreational Products
  
  Show submenu for Recreational Products 
  
    - [Playground Systems](https://mayrecreation.com/playground-systems)
    - [Outdoor Fitness Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/outdoor-fitness-equipment)
    - [Sports Equipment](https://mayrecreation.com/sports-equipment)
    - [Artificial Turf](https://mayrecreation.com/artificial-turf)
    - [Safety Surfacing](https://mayrecreation.com/safety-surfacing)
    - [Shade Structures](https://mayrecreation.com/shade-structures)
    - [Furnishings](https://mayrecreation.com/furnishings)
- [Recent Projects](https://mayrecreation.com/recent-projects)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [Articles](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog)
    - [Catalogs](https://mayrecreation.com/catalogs)
    - [Guides](https://mayrecreation.com/guides)
    - [Fundraising Resources](https://mayrecreation.com/fundraising-resources)
    - [Purchasing Options](https://mayrecreation.com/purchasing-options)
- About Us
  
  Show submenu for About Us 
  
    - [Our Company & Team](https://mayrecreation.com/about-us)
    - [Areas Served](https://mayrecreation.com/areas-served)
- [Contact Us](https://mayrecreation.com/contact)

[800.964.6301](tel:800-964-6301)

![](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mayrec-theme/img/title-bg-playground-set-2.png?width=2000&height=719&name=title-bg-playground-set-2.png)

# Articles

# Planning a Playground and Wondering Where to Start?

 Posted by [May Recreation Content Team](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/author/may-recreation-content-team) on  September 23, 2016

![Slide01-1.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/Slide01-1.jpg)

Building a playground, whether at a school, park, church, apartment complex or other location is a major project full of choices and decisions. These days there are so many cool structures, designs and ways to customize playgrounds that the options are almost limitless. Which is all great news, but it can also leave you wondering, “Where do I even start?”

![2015_AitkenPark_Lincoln_CA_078.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2015_AitkenPark_Lincoln_CA_078.jpg?width=508&name=2015_AitkenPark_Lincoln_CA_078.jpg)

## Where to Start

If you’re in the initial stages of planning a playground, especially if you’ve never been through the process before, you might be a little overwhelmed. Perhaps you’re asking yourself questions such as:

- What type of equipment is best for my needs?
- Should I incorporate a custom theme?
- What type of surfacing should we use?
- What about shade?
- How many benches and tables do we need?
- What about safety features?
- And permits?
- Drainage issues?
- How can I make it inclusive so that children of all abilities can play?
- How long does this process take, anyway?
- Once it’s built, what about maintenance?

 And that’s just a start!

We’re also going to go out on a limb here and guess that you don’t have an endless budget?  Just a hunch, because we’ve yet to hear a client say, “Sky’s the limit! Go crazy, we don’t care about the cost!” 

Budget is deciding factor in any major project, and playgrounds are no exceptions. Which is why it is important to partner with a professional that can help you create a playground that best meets your needs, space and budget while exceeding your expectations.

If any of the above questions sound familiar, then May Recreation's [Free Playground Planning Guide](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide) can be a great resource for you. It provides helpful information and tips for every stage of the process, from initial research to design, installation and maintenance.

[D](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide)[ownload the guide](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide) today, compliments of May Recreation, and you'll be one step closer to making your vision a reality. 

[![Slide01-1.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Slide01-1.jpg?width=239&name=Slide01-1.jpg)](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide)

[Playground Design & Planning](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/topic/playground-design-planning)

## Subscribe to Email Updates

## Recent Posts

- [The Role of Outdoor Play in Reducing Back-to-School Anxiety](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/the-role-of-outdoor-play-in-reducing-back-to-school-anxiety)
  
   August 19, 2026
- [5 Must-Haves for Modern Day School Playgrounds](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/5-must-haves-for-modern-day-school-playgrounds)
  
   August 18, 2026
- [The Science of Designing Playgrounds Kids Love to Revisit](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/the-science-of-designing-playgrounds-kids-love-to-revisit)
  
   July 22, 2026
- [Conducting a Community Needs Assessment for Playground Planning](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/conducting-a-community-needs-assessment-for-playground-planning)
  
   July 13, 2026
- [Is Your Playground Past Its Prime? 7 Signs It's Time to Upgrade](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/is-your-playground-past-its-prime-7-signs-its-time-to-upgrade)
  
   June 25, 2026

## Footer

[![logo-mono-light-mayrec](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mayrec-theme/branding/logo-mono-light-mayrec.png?width=502&height=170&name=logo-mono-light-mayrec.png)](https://mayrecreation.com/)

## Contact

 Houston, TX  
 800-964-6301  •  281-310-8812   
[randy@mayrecreation.com](mailto:randy@mayrecreation.com)

[![gx_icon_social-facebook-white-encircled-black](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/mayrec-theme/icons/gx_icon_social-facebook-white-encircled-black.svg) ![gx_icon_social-facebook-colorful](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/gx_icon_social-facebook-colorful.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/MayRecreation/) [![x twitter icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/mayrec-theme/icons/gx_icon_social-twitter-x-white-encircled-black.svg) ![x twitter icon colorful](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/gx_icon_social-twitter-x-colorful.svg)](https://twitter.com/mayrecreation) [![linkedin icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/mayrec-theme/icons/gx_icon_social-linkedin-white-encircled-black.svg) ![colorful linkedin icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/gx_icon_social-linkedin-colorful.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/3014693?trk=vsrp_companies_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A774593671470835615106%2CVSRPtargetId%3A3014693%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary) [![instagram icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/mayrec-theme/icons/gx_icon_social-instagram-white-encircled-black.svg) ![colorful instagram icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/gx_icon_social-instagram-colorful.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/mayrecreation/) [![YouTube Icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/img/gx_icon_social-youtub-white-on-black-circle.svg) ![Colorful Gradient YouTube Icon](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/img/gx_icon_social-youtub-colorful-on-black-circle.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@MayRecreation)

[Get Started by Downloading Our Playground Planning Guide! ![cover-playground-guide](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mayrec-theme/products/cover-playground-guide.jpg?width=330&height=439&name=cover-playground-guide.jpg)](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide-request)

[Download Our Free Complete Guide and Portfolio! ![catcover](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mayrec-theme/img/catcover.webp?width=330&height=439&name=catcover.webp)](https://info.mayrecreation.com/complete-guide-and-portfolio)

 © 2026 May Recreation. Website design by [adWhite](https://adwhite.com). 

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=10047105&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "May Recreation Content Team",
    "url" : "https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/author/may-recreation-content-team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2021-01-11T01:08:51.924Z",
  "datePublished" : "2016-09-23T13:05:04.000Z",
  "headline" : "Planning a Playground and Wondering Where to Start?",
  "image" : [ "https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/Slide01-1.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/planning-a-playground-and-wondering-where-to-start",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/mayrec-theme/branding/logo-full-color-mayrec.png"
    },
    "name" : "may recreation"
  }
}
```