Rooted in Community: The First Nations Playground Planning Guide

"Our organization has worked with Park N Play Design since their inception, and they have consistently been outstanding. What sets Park N Play Design apart is their service and problem-solving. Very few suppliers will ask about site conditions, share insights from experience, or be honest enough to tell you when a choice won’t work. That level of candor and expertise is invaluable. Park N Play Design are trusted advisors. They understand that relationships are built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. They prioritize our success because they know that if we win, they win. Few businesses truly grasp this. If you need a team that works with you in a straightforward, professional manner—delivers on time, helps navigate budget constraints and site challenges—work with Park N Play Design. You won’t regret it."

“Working with Park N Play Design was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Tim and his team were professional, honest, and incredibly easy to work with—something we truly appreciated throughout the process. Our new playground is perfectly designed for our 2–5 year olds and has quickly become the highlight of our outdoor space. The attention to detail, quality of the equipment, and smooth installation made the entire experience seamless. We couldn’t be happier with the result!”

The collaborative projects we’ve completed together have been nothing short of tremendous successes, thanks in no small part to Shelley’s ability to inspire trust and foster strong partnerships. Park N Play Design’s work has consistently exceeded expectations, and the positive impact they’ve had on the communities we serve is truly commendable. Whenever I have the opportunity to choose a partner for delivering impactful and meaningful projects, Park N Play Design is always my first call. Their leadership, combined with the expertise and dedication of her team, makes them an invaluable asset to any endeavor. I wholeheartedly recommend Shelley Robinson and Park N Play Design without reservation."

"I wanted to share my awesome experience working with Park N Play Design from 2014 to present. They were a fantastic team to collaborate with, and I highly recommend them. We've worked together on projects like Balwin Park (Playground), Cybecker Park (Playground & Splash Pad) and Central Alberta Women’s Shelter (Playground) and I was always impressed by their creativity and professionalism. As a landscape architect, I loved how they brought fresh, innovative ideas to our park and play designs. Plus, they were good at sticking to budgets, which made everything so much easier. Communication with Park N Play Design was always smooth. They kept us in the loop at every stage, which made the projects run seamlessly. Their problem-solving skills were top-notch, and they always found cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. Overall, Park N Play Design was a joy to work with, and I wouldn't hesitate to team up with them again."

"It was an absolute pleasure working with Shelley and the Park N Play Design team. The professionalism, attention to detail and communication was such a positive and seamless experience. We had a really tight timeline, and Shelley and her crew got the job done. Her enthusiasm for her job is infectious, and I would highly recommend Park N Play Design to any other school or community looking to build a park. Thank you again for getting us exactly what we wanted for our school and our students. We are truly grateful.”

“I cannot say how pleased I am with the results of what Park N Play Design has come up with for our community. Your team addressed all our requests and provided two amazing options for us. As the saying goes, “you hit the nail on the head”. Excellent job, Park N Play Design. Please give yourselves a big pat on the back from Heritage Hills Housing Co-op. In addition to the amazing parks you came up with, I would also like to add a thanks for the information you have on your site. It has saved me personally hours and hours of time looking for this information on my own. It has been such a pleasure thus far.”

"Park N Play Design was extremely helpful through the entire process. They were able to come up with solutions, modifications, and excellent results for our purchase. The quality of service and equipment provided by Park N Play Design is top-notch, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Park N Play Design's services to a friend or colleague."

“The finished product is now one of the most beautiful parks in town, in my opinion, and according to community feedback. From the town’s hassle-free experience with this project, I would not hesitate to highly recommend Bob and his crew at Park N Play Design for any park design and play structure construction that you may be considering.”

"Park N Play Design was quick to respond, provided lots of follow-ups, and cared about our experience. This was the best communication I've ever had for a playground project, and it was just a small addition. I've spent over $100K on a playground before with competitors and never got this kind of service!"

“Over the last 4 years, The MBTW Group has worked closely with Park N Play Design as they have assisted us with designs, tender packages and installations of play equipment and site furnishings for many diverse projects. Park N Play Design provides a very collaborative and informative design process, and they are definitely engaged and attentive to our final overall design objectives for our projects. Their staff are very prompt and thorough with any inquiries or any discussion items we have brought to their attention, including any critical on-site construction issues that require immediate and definitive action on their part.”

“I have worked with Shelley Robinson at Park N Play Design on numerous school projects, both during the design process and throughout the construction of the project. One project we worked closely on was the John Dolan School Playground in Saskatoon, where we worked with Park N Play Design to provide a base design for the school tender and worked closely during the construction period once awarded. This project was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, being fully inclusive and wheelchair accessible to meet the needs of both school staff and students. During this project, Shelley’s expertise in playground design and inclusive play is renowned and is exemplified in her ability to provide guidance during the design process and her ability to respond to questions and concerns concerning playground systems, equipment and surfacing with confidence.”

"Tim was instrumental in assisting our school community with the initial planning, design, budget and implementation of our school playground project. From the initial tendering process through to assistance in planning our site, he provided not only expected support but also his own personal involvement in the project on-site. Every step of the way was provided for us in terms of instructions and completeness of the project. We never felt left alone and were amazed at the resources that were given to us. I would not hesitate to recommend him or Park N Play Design for any project, large or small, where safety, planning and future needs are discussed and encouraged."

"Park N Play Design worked within our required budget constraints and timeline to supply the designated playground on time for back-to-school. We are extremely happy with the service that we received. The playground was a large school and community fundraising commitment, so it was very important to us that everything was done correctly and on time. Bob was able to solve in process issues and to work within the limitations of the summer weather to be able to help us out and keep things on track for the grand opening. As a school, we would recommend dealing with Bob and Park N Play Design for any playground project."

"Park N Play Design was great to work with on the Minto Community Playground project. The team was professional, easy to communicate with, and made the process smooth. They really listened to what we needed and created a playground that fits our space perfectly. It’s fun, safe, and the kids love it. We’re very happy with the result and would gladly work with them again."

“Park N Play Design demonstrated an exceptional understanding of inclusive design throughout our playground project. They worked closely with our team to create a space that reflects the diverse physical, sensory, and developmental needs of the children we serve. Every detail—from transfer platforms and accessible surfacing to sensory-rich elements—was thoughtfully integrated to ensure that all children, regardless of ability, can play, explore, and connect with one another. The finished space isn’t just a playground—it’s an extension of our inclusive learning environment, and we’re deeply grateful for Park N Play’s expertise and commitment.”

“Working with Park N Play Design on our new playground was a great experience from start to finish. The team was responsive, professional, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. They listened to our needs and delivered a playground design that fits beautifully with our space and provides a fun, safe, and engaging environment for the children. We’re very pleased with the results and would happily work with them again.”