---
title: "Why use a \"Total Park Design\" as a basis for your project?"
description: By planning with the Total Park in mind you can increase the enjoyment of the community and park guests.
image: https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/4476X.gravity.diamond.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

# Why use a "Total Park Design" as a basis for your project?

 Posted by [Randy May](https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/author/randy-may) on  November 11, 2016

![](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/4476X.gravity.diamond.jpg)

When designing a playground project it's important to consider not only the play structure itself, but also other items and accessories that make up the total park design. Additions such as shade, seating and litter disposals add to the overall experience and comfort of those using your play area.

By planning with the Total Park in mind you can increase the enjoyment of children of all ages, along with parents, educators, community residents or other guests. 

![sunshade_2post.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sunshade_2post.jpg?width=600&name=sunshade_2post.jpg)  ![inset_photo.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/inset_photo.jpg?width=600&name=inset_photo.jpg)

## Total Park Design Considerations

Another design consideration to be made involves providing a design that encourages exercise and movement for all the children using the playground.  

Play "loops" can be can be created by incorporating various freestanding play activities that are either functionally connected to the primary play structure by steps and/or balance activities or are placed within the play area as a stand alone item.  

![ltcps_13099073705.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ltcps_13099073705.jpg?width=320&name=ltcps_13099073705.jpg) 

![4476X.gravity.diamond.jpg](https://info.mayrecreation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4476X.gravity.diamond.jpg?width=320&name=4476X.gravity.diamond.jpg)

May Recreation offers a free [Playground Planning Guide](https://info.mayrecreation.com/playground-planning-guide) to help start your design process.  In addition, please feel free to contact us for an onsite design consultation by one of our professional Team Members.

[![Playground Planning Guide](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2433501/e1b280ab-f69a-4972-9560-a7bdfa6c401a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2433501/e1b280ab-f69a-4972-9560-a7bdfa6c401a) 

[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" : "Randy May",
    "url" : "https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/author/randy-may"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2021-01-14T16:38:57.635Z",
  "datePublished" : "2016-11-11T17:28:22.000Z",
  "headline" : "Why use a \"Total Park Design\" as a basis for your project?",
  "image" : [ "https://info.mayrecreation.com/hubfs/4476X.gravity.diamond.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://info.mayrecreation.com/blog/why-use-a-total-park-design-as-a-basis-for-your-project",
    "@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"
  }
}
```