I grew up next to a park that had a tall wooden climber with monkey bars perched over a cement pad. Despite the monstrous slivers my mom had to pull out of my fingers daily, it was the best. 

After the day my thumb got stuck in the giant rubber tire see-saw and I nearly lost my thumbnail, my parents decided they’d had enough. They bought us a candy-striped swing set for our backyard, hoping to lure my brother and me away from what they lovingly called the “Sliver City.”

I can still hear the whine of the chains as my little brother and I swung. The harder we pumped our legs, the more the frame groaned and swayed until one day it tipped right over. That was the end of that. 

Today, play structures have reached new heights…the safe kind.

Build it and they will play

“Backyard play has evolved far beyond the standard swing set,” says Gilles Fortin, owner of Flamborough Patio Furniture. For over forty years, Fortin has been building distinctive outdoor furniture and custom play structures. “Families today see their outdoor space as an extension of their home. It’s not just about keeping kids busy, it’s about creating an experience.”

That experience can take many forms. Some families opt for prefab playsets with plastic slides, swings, and climbing features. Others prefer custom-built designs that blend into the natural aesthetic of their yard. Think timber frames, rope bridges, built-in sand areas, and treehouses tucked among mature trees.

Before diving into your dream design, there are a few key considerations.

Budget is often the starting point. Prefab kits can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, while custom builds can climb much higher depending on materials and complexity. Deciding where to invest helps narrow your options quickly.

Space matters just as much. Start by measuring your yard and planning for clearance zones. You need room for the structure and safe movement around it.

Then there’s the age of your kids. Are you building for toddlers, or creating something they can grow into? The best play spaces evolve. A small platform and slide can later become a hangout space or clubhouse for older kids.

Installation will depend on the type of structure you choose. Basic prefab kits typically come with detailed instructions and can often be assembled over a weekend (unless you’re my husband, who claims to be allergic to nails and sawdust). 

For more complicated kits or custom builds, especially when dealing with elevated platforms or more complex features, it’s critical to have a professional installation. 

“Once we’ve installed a play structure, our job is done,” says Fortin. “Then families need to install a safe surface. It’s not the most exciting part, but it’s what helps prevent injuries.”

Happy landings

There are several surface options to consider. Poured rubber offers excellent shock absorption and a polished finish, but the cost is high. Like, pump your legs and swing as high as you can, high. 

Milton Stone offers artificial turf that, when installed with proper under padding, is a low-maintenance choice. And of course, sand or wood chips are traditional and budget-friendly options that deliver great impact protection. You can also find rubber mulch at Vanbeeks. It’s durable, eco-friendly, and the rich brown colour mimics the look of natural mulch, without the need for constant top-ups.

Each option has trade-offs, but all aim to create a safer play environment.

From there, the possibilities are wide open.

“Don’t be afraid to get creative,” says Fortin. “We’ve built everything from pirate ships to whimsical treehouses. You’re only limited by your imagination.”

Whether you’re working with a compact yard or a larger property, your backyard can become something truly special. Because in the end, it’s not just about swings and slides. It’s about creating a space where kids can explore, build confidence, and make lasting memories.

Ideally, without the splinters.

Local Links:

Van Beek’s Garden Supply, Oakville
Stocks various rubber mulch options, including 25L bags and 1 cubic yard super sacks, suitable for playgrounds.  
vanbeeks.com

Flamborough Patio
Offers a variety of play centres
flamboroughpatio.com

Rubberscape Oakville
Loose/bagged rubber mulch and bonded rubber mulch for playgrounds, daycares and residential projects.
rubberscape.ca

Funscapes, Toronto
Swing sets and jungle gyms
funscapes.ca

Rainbow Play Systems, Mississauga
Wooden playsets
rainbowplay.com

Milton Stone
Carries artificial turf
miltonstone.ca

By Lisa Thornbury 

There’s a different to-do list for every month of the gardening season. In honour of Earth Day, which happens to be in April, consider these easy, nature-friendly dos and don’ts:

Procrastinate!

As tempting as it is to get outside with a rake when the weather warms, this isn’t the best time. Bees and other pollinators may still be hibernating under leaves and other yard debris, so please don’t remove it until temperatures are consistently above 10°C. 

There’s no sense in gardening if the soil is still wet and mucky. Wait until the soil crumbles and doesn’t stick to your shoes, to avoid destroying its structure. It’s better (and far more pleasant) to divide and transplant perennials when soil is workable.

If walking on your lawn leaves footprints, leave your lawn alone for awhile to reduce soil compaction. Wait for warm weather before overseeding.

‘Clean up’ responsibly

Go ahead and cut back dead stems of ornamental grasses and perennials, but let nature do the cleanup. Halton Master Gardeners recommend the “chop and drop” method to return organic material to the soil & provide nesting material for birds.

Remove invasive species as they start to appear. These include English Ivy, Periwinkle, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Garlic Mustard. Many invasives are pretty (and popular) but can kill whole forests.

Butterflies, bees and other valued members of our community need time to emerge and safe places to hide. For a stunning garden that buzzes with life and colour, work smarter, not harder. Your back — and the planet — will thank you.

By Michelle Morra

After spending the winter dreaming of warm summer days, it’s finally time to turn your ideas into reality. Whether you’re planning a redesign or simply sprucing up what you already have, you can plan a backyard makeover to suit your style and budget.

Small updates like layering in new outdoor décor can instantly refresh a space, but focusing on bigger elements, such as healthy lawns, vibrant gardens, and hardscape features like decks and pools, can completely transform how your backyard looks and functions.

Outdoor oasis

Thoughtfully designed hardscapes can turn a backyard into an extension of the home. Michael Haunton, owner of Let’s Landscape Together, says features like decks, patios, and pools create inviting spaces for relaxing and entertaining. 

“Proper planning is crucial for a successful project,” he explains. “Traffic flow, furniture space, elevation changes, drainage, and transitions like walls and stairs all need to work together for long-term enjoyment.” 

One memorable project featured a custom pool with a swim-up bar and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. Built-in bar stools allow swimmers to sit and chat under a shaded roof. With lighting, heaters, a barbecue, fridges, an ice maker, and a sound system, the space was designed as a complete backyard oasis.

Design that defines

Hardscape design is about more than patios or walkways; it’s about shaping how people experience their yard. Will Joyce, owner and general manager of Cudmore’s Landscape & Design Ltd., says thoughtful layouts create destinations and reduce friction in a space.  

“Balancing materials like decking, pavers, natural stone, and garden beds creates cohesion while adding texture and definition,” he explains. Joyce also emphasizes what lies beneath the surface. “We always say our best work is buried. Detailed planning, understanding construction practices, and elements like access sleeves, conduit, and stormwater management, help ensure the space performs well for years to come.”

A standout project brought together a full backyard transformation. Features included all-new hardscape surfaces with a Techo-Bloc Borealis inlay beneath a custom pergola with an integrated privacy screen and space for outdoor ping pong, an oversized natural flagstone walkway leading to a gas fire bowl, LED and dimmable bistro lighting, new gardens, cedar fencing, expanded drainage, and a custom four-season studio.

Green your lawn

Brayden Hauraney of Turf N Dirt Lawn Care helps clients enjoy their backyards with professional and reliable lawn service. 

To create a noticeable visual impact, Hauraney recommends top dressing and seeding with a clover mix. “White clover helps with self-fertilization and soil erosion, and sustains pollinators in early to mid-spring,” he says.

“Cold-season grass requires adequate watering throughout the season, and summer can be harsh when there’s little to no rain,” he adds. “Automatic sprinklers and regular cutting maintenance go a long way in creating a lush yard.”

A project he tackled last September involved a lawn challenged by shade, mature tree growth, and thinning grass. Hauraney’s team worked an organic compost top dressing into existing turf, then overseeded with a premium shade-tolerant blend. “With proper watering and maintenance, the difference was visible within four to seven days,” he says, noting the lawn filled in within two to three weeks.

Flower power

The Garden Girls know that flowers and seasonal planters do wonders for the look of a property and its connection to the environment.

“You can create a vibrant space that benefits your home, supports local wildlife, and enriches your quality of life,” explains Darla Malcolm-Hauraney of The Garden Girls Garden Care. “We recommend rotating seasonal planters to create year-round visual interest.”

In one Oakville project, they transformed a small, tired garden into a formal English-style space inspired by the client’s childhood. Using a timeless green and white palette, the team layered perennials, flowering shrubs, and textured greenery for an elegant look.

For homeowners worried about upkeep, Malcolm-Hauraney emphasizes that success starts with strategy. “Every garden requires a maintenance plan. Choose low-maintenance plants, group them by watering and sunlight needs, and use tools like raised beds, apps and timers to keep garden care manageable.”

Local Links

Let’s Landscape Together
3235 Fairview Street Unit #5, Burlington
letslandscape.ca

Cudmore’s Landscape & Design Ltd.
450 Wyecroft Road, Oakville
cudmoreslandscape.ca

Turf N Dirt Lawn Care
289-644-TURF
turfndirt.ca

The Garden Girls
289-6GARDEN
thegardengirls.ca

By Nicole Hilton