FAQ
Project Planning & Design
How does Habitat Systems design custom playgrounds in Western Canada?
Habitat Systems designs custom playgrounds based on client input on community needs & wishes, accessibility goals, site size, and location. Our in-house design team works to produce CSA compliant custom design layouts with 3D colour renderings. Read more about our playground design process here.
What is the process from planning to installation for a Habitat Systems playground?
Every project begins with a consultation to understand the client’s goal for their play space. From there, we create and price designs, including equipment costs and optional installation, site work, borders, and surfacing. Once the design is approved and the order is placed, Habitat Systems coordinates the delivery and installation (if requested) of the playground.
How long does a Habitat Systems playground project take to complete?
Project timelines vary based on manufacturing lead times, installation schedules, and the overall scope of work. Our team is always fully invested in meeting your schedule requirements.
Does Habitat Systems provide site assessments or consultations?
Yes. Habitat Systems’ Business Development Managers have all completed the CPSI (Canadian Playground Safety Institute) course and provide consultations about playground designs with an emphasis on ensuring that all CSA safety compliance standards are met.
What types of play structures does Habitat Systems offer?
We offer commercial playgrounds for children aged 6–23 months, 2–5 years, and 5–12 years… and 13-99+ outdoor fitness play equipment! Habitat Systems distributes Landscape Structures playgrounds, which are made of metal, recycled plastic, and wood-like finishes. You can explore examples in the Landscape Structures product catalogue here. Habitat Systems also manufactures ground-level wooden playground features to create a hybrid play environment or stand-alone natural playgrounds. We offer both standard products and custom designs. Learn more about Habitat Systems’ Natural Playgrounds here.
Does Habitat Systems supply inclusive or accessible playground equipment?
Yes – Habitat Systems is a leader in inclusive playground design in Western Canada. Our inclusive play designs meet CSA and ADA accessibility standards. Habitat Systems benefits from the expertise of the accessibility and inclusive play specialists who we work with regularly on projects.
How does Habitat Systems ensure playground designs meet site and budget constraints?
Our playground consultants work very closely with clients to understand exactly what their vision is for the play space. Habitat Systems has play equipment options for a wide range of site sizes and budgets. Our in-house playground designers allow us to have a collaborative design process with our clients.
Compliance, Safety & Standards
Are Habitat Systems playgrounds compliant with CSA, ASTM, and accessibility standards?
Yes – all equipment meets CSA Z-614, ASTM F1487, and accessibility standards where applicable.
Do Habitat Systems’ products meet Canadian safety regulations?
Yes – our products are tested for Canadian impact attenuation, material durability, and spacing standards. Our playground equipment meets CSA Z614, ASTM F1487, and accessibility standards.
What playground safety surfacing does Habitat Systems provide?
Habitat Systems supplies a range of playground surfacing that includes artificial turf, poured-in-place rubber, rubber play tiles, and engineered wood fibre surfacing. See surfacing options.
How does Habitat Systems ensure proper fall zones and equipment spacing?
All playgrounds by Habitat Systems are designed to be CSA compliant. Our CPSI Certified playground designers and installers ensure safety standards are adhered to during the entire planning and installation process.
Can Habitat Systems provide compliance documentation?
Yes – CSA compliance letters are available upon request.
Materials & Durability
What materials are used in Habitat Systems’ playground structures?
Habitat Systems supplies commercial playground equipment that uses a variety of high-quality, durable materials. Our structures often include galvanized and ProShield®-finished steel for strong, corrosion-resistant support and framing, which holds up well in outdoor environments. We incorporate UV-stable plastics like Permalene® and polyethylene for panels, slides, and tunnels, chosen because they resist chipping, fading, and weather damage and can even be made from recycled content. Habitat also uses Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) and wet-cast concrete for sculptural and themed elements that add texture and design depth. For climbing features and nets, we employ LSI Flexx® steel-reinforced, polyester-wrapped cables that are abrasion-resistant and comfortable for children to grasp. Playground accessories such as shade structures use specialty fabrics designed to block UV rays and withstand mildew and fading. In addition, many components feature GripX® HDPE surfacing for enhanced traction and safety. All these materials are selected to create playgrounds that are safe, accessible, weather-resistant, and low-maintenance for parks, schools, and community spaces.
Our in-house natural playgrounds are manufactured in our Natural Play workshop in Burnaby. We use a mixture of approximately 70% Yellow Cedar, 15% Western Red Cedar, and 15% Ground-Contact Timber (Hemlock/Fir), to fabricate our line Natural Play equipment.
How do Habitat Systems’ products perform in harsh weather?
All commercial playground equipment is tested for temperature extremes, snow load, and corrosion resistance. Our natural playground products are created with longevity in mind, but will age as wood is expected to in outdoor environments.
Are Habitat Systems’ products vandal-resistant or low-maintenance?
Yes – Habitat Systems’ playground equipment is known in Western Canada as a particularly low-maintenance and vandal resistant brand. Surfaces include powder-coated metal and durable rotomolded plastic that resist impact and fading, and our steel-core cables and slash-resistant swing seats deter vandalism.
What is the expected lifespan of Habitat Systems’ playground equipment?
Habitat Systems supplies Landscape Structures’ playground equipment which offers the best playground warranty in the industry. Most of the steel and aluminum components offer a 100-year warranty. With proper maintenance, our playgrounds will last generations. Our natural playgrounds are manufactured with product longevity at the forefront of our production process.
How long does Habitat Systems’ playground surfacing last?
Our Rymar playground turf has a limited warranty of 15 years. Rubber playground surfacing is expected to last 10–15 years. Engineered wood fibre (EWF) will vary with use and upkeep. Habitat Systems recommends and arranges wood fibre top-ups for our clients when product is displaced or compacted.
Installation & Construction
Does Habitat Systems provide installation services?
Yes – our team is fully certified and insured and can provide turnkey playground solutions including:
- Site preparation and excavation
- Concrete pads and curbing
- Professional equipment and surfacing installation to CSA Compliance
- Site remediation and landscaping
What site preparation is needed before playground installation?
Site prep includes grading, drainage, and base material per engineered specifications. The playground equipment needs to be installed on a clear, clean, and level site. A slight slope of 1–2% is commonly used to ensure proper drainage and avoid pooling water.
Can Habitat Systems install around existing structures or landscaping?
Yes – designs can integrate with existing trees, paths, and amenities.
Will playground installation disrupt nearby facilities or school operations?
Work is scheduled to minimize noise and access interruptions. Details are confirmed during project planning.
Cost & Payment
What is the typical cost of a Habitat Systems playground?
Playground projects range from small community builds to school play spaces to destination park installations. Every playground project is unique, and pricing depends on several factors, including the design, the quantity of equipment ordered, delivery costs, the type of surfacing chosen, and other site-specific considerations. Get in touch with us to start a consultation for your playground project.
Can Habitat Systems provide a detailed quote?
Yes – our playground consultants and client services team can provide detailed estimates and quotes that can include equipment costs, surfacing, site work, and installation. All our pricing includes freight costs.
Does Habitat Systems offer phased installation?
Yes – Habitat Systems works with clients on phased playground design and installation.
Can Habitat Systems assist with playground grants or funding?
Yes – Habitat Systems can provide you with a list of playground grants available in Western Canada. Many of the grants require a budget to be submitted outlining what equipment you would like to install and what the end cost will be. Habitat Systems can assist by providing designs and pricing to include along with your grant applications that meet the specific needs of your group and site. Habitat Systems also offers grant writing services to our clients.
Where can I find pricing on your website?
To provide the most accurate prices, Habitat Systems includes shipping costs in our pricing. Because these vary depending on quantities, weights, and market fluctuations, we don’t show pricing on the website. Please get in touch with us, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you with a quote request.
What is the fee for a project consultation with Habitat Systems?
Habitat Systems offers free consultations to assist you with your design and project needs.
Does Habitat Systems offer discounts to schools or community groups?
Our strategic partnerships with businesses that meet the highest industry standards for quality and warranties enable Habitat Systems to offer exceptional equipment at competitive pricing.
Maintenance & Warranty
What maintenance does Habitat Systems’ playground equipment require?
Routine visual inspections, bolt tightening, and surfacing checks are recommended. Our post-sales team can assist our clients with creating a maintenance plan for their playground.
What warranty does Habitat Systems offer?
Habitat Systems represents Landscape Structures’ playground equipment, who offer the best playground warranty in the industry. The majority of the steel and aluminum components offer a 100-year warranty. With proper maintenance, Landscape Structures playgrounds will last generations.
How can clients obtain replacement parts from Habitat Systems?
Get in touch with us and we’ll partner you with our parts department.
Can Habitat Systems upgrade existing playgrounds?
Yes – the Habitat Systems’ team will evaluate existing sites and recommend compliant retrofits and new components.
Customization & Special Features
Can clients customize colours, themes, and branding with Habitat Systems’ playgrounds?
Yes – custom palettes, logos, and themed panels are available on any playground design.
Does Habitat Systems offer nature play, water play, or sensory elements?
Absolutely! Contact us and we can share a portfolio of nature, water, and sensory focused play elements.
Can Habitat Systems include shade structures or seating in playground designs?
Yes – we supply integrated or freestanding shade, and seating and picnic furnishings.
Can Habitat Systems’ playgrounds support outdoor learning or therapy programs?
Yes – designs provided by Habitat Systems can include gathering zones, musical play, and sensory activities suitable for educational and therapeutic settings. We have also created many outdoor classrooms for clients.
Can I buy playground equipment for my backyard?
Yes – but we will advise prospective clients to keep in mind that our playground equipment is commercial-grade and typically used in city parks, schools, daycares, and commercial developments.
Experience & References
How long has Habitat Systems been designing playgrounds?
Habitat Systems has been supplying playgrounds, site furnishings, and park amenities across Western Canada since 1996.
Does Habitat Systems provide client references?
Yes. Habitat Systems can provide references about projects from satisfied customers throughout Western Canada. Please contact us to be provided with references relevant to your project scope.
What types of clients does Habitat Systems serve?
We work with municipalities, school districts, PAC groups, developers, landscape architects, childcare centres, independent businesses and BIAs, transportation centres, community groups, Indigenous groups, and any other clients that may be looking for park, landscape or playground equipment.
Can potential clients visit a completed Habitat Systems playground?
Yes. A selection of our installed playgrounds can be found in our project portfolio, or you can get in touch with us to arrange a site visit with one of our playground consultants.