Cedarworks owners - a couple of questions

[kristenk]

I received the Cedarworks brochure in the mail yesterday and am blown away by some of the example playsets! Wow! While I'm tempted to try to cram as much stuff into the playset as space (not much) and budget (not enough) allow, I have to be reasonable (for the already-mentioned space and budget issues).

Anyway, I'm trying to design a Cedarworks playset for our yard to find out exactly how much it would cost. My question to you is, what add-on things do you really like on your playset and what do you wish you hadn't spent the money on? Thanks for any help you can provide!

[LBW]

I think the sure step system and extra fort fencing are must-haves. Not exciting, I know! We have them in both of the climbing structures.

We didn't really get a lot of accessories. I put the money into the basic structure. My thinking was that I can add to it over time. We did get a choosaway tire swing to go on the swing ladder and I'm really happy with it. We also picked up a few small accessories at a local playground store where they were cheaper -- steering wheel, telescope, binoculars.

Eventually I'd like to get the fire pole, trap door, the rollicking roundabout, trapeze...I could go on and on. Oh, and DH wants the crow's nest. I made sure that we could add a bunch of yardarms to our design in the future.

ETA: We also have the rope and pulley. DS loves it!

[LBW]

One more thing...Are you planning to go to see a local set? I'd really recommend that. You get to see a set up in person and talk to the owners about what they like/dislike. When you call Cedarworks to set up the visit, you can request a set that's close to a design you are considering or you can ask to see a set with all the bells and whistles so that you can see the accessories.

[MrsZaz]

Jumping into someone else's thread...Do you have any pictures of your set? I'm having trouble visualizing just how much space it is going to take up. I tried using the online cedarworks software to design a set but was gettng very confused.

Thnaks for the information

Colleen


ps. How much space did you allow between your swingset and any permanent structures in your yard (i.e. tree, fence etc)?

[LBW]

Sorry! I don't have any photos. I'll see if I can take one later.

I'm pretty sure we left at least 6 feet -- including at least 6 feet from the end of the slide to a fence. We could have cheated in some spots, but wanted to make sure we had enough space in case we added on later.

DH was in charge of measurements. He started by measuring the available space in the yard. He plotted that onto graph paper. As we came up with designs we liked, we checked to see if they fit in the graph paper space. We played around with different sized sets and orientations. Before ordering, we laid it out in the yard using garbage cans to mark the ends. Hope that makes sense!

I'll bet the Cedarworks people could do some of that work for you if you give them the dimensions of your yard.

[dr mom]

I posted this in a thread a couple weeks ago, but here it is again:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32844.jpg

That thread is at www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=49792&mode=full

I also thought this thread was helpful, lots of pictures: www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=201454&mode=full

The frickin' frackin' pine trees are in the way, but what we have is a Climber with a slide, rascal ramp, baby/toddler swing (on the far side of the structure, attached to a yardarm) and a rope ladder. We have the sure step system and fort fences that completely enclose the top, except for where the rascal ramp and the ladder attach to the structure.

We are planning to remove some trees and add a swing ladder when DS gets too big for the toddler swing.

Love, love, love the set. Total cost was about $2400. Purchased during their annual fall sale for 10% off.

DH built the enclosure a little too small so it is only about three feet from the ends of the playset...wish it was about six feet longer total. On the other hand, there is plenty of clearance around the Climber itself, and that's the fall that would potentially cause the most injury, as opposed to falling off the bottom of the slide or ramp. We used "playground grade" triple shredded wood mulch, I wanted pea gravel but it was way too expensive due to some sort of a critical local pea gravel shortage.

We did the assembly ourselves, it took most of a Saturday. A cordless screwdriver and drill is a MUST in my opinion. The ground prep took more like two weeks - we had to level the slope of the yard, build the enclosure, and then tote a truckload of mulch from the driveway to the backyard. PITA. The mulch is at a depth of approx. 6-8 inches inside the structure, but it's not real even (deeper at the center than the edges) so we're going to add more this summer. DS plays on this every single day, in spite of the big up-front expense, it has been totally worth it. As you can see in the previous thread, it's a real family favorite; my dog likes to hang out in the playset, too. ;)

Edited to add picture

[kristenk]

Tara, thanks for your input! We have a very small space for the structure, so we basically can choose slide or swings. We're going with a slide connected to (most likely) the Climber with Sure Steps and Fort Fences! Oh, and the nice thing is that we can fit the little kid swing on the structure as it is, so we'll have that now and then change it out for the trapeze (or whatever it's called) later. I'll definitely look around for other accessories - especially a steering wheel b/c you can find those everywhere! I'm going to call on Monday to see if we can go visit a playset and test it out IRL (or at least look at it if DD can't climb on it).

Of course, I'm typing about it as if we're going with everything I stated, but DH and I are still in the discussion phase and we'll have to get rid of a tree (it's a smallish understory tree that's not doing too well anyway...) to make room for the playset! LOL

Did you install it yourselves or did you pay someone to do it? How difficult was the installation?

[kristenk]

Which structure do you have? I think that your playset looks close to what we'll end up with. Does your DS use the ramp a lot? I was hoping to skip the ramp since we're going with Sure Step, but I see you have both in your photo. Hmmmm... Also, do you like your slide? I'm debating b/w that one and the other slide of similar length.

Sorry, this is a total ramble right now, but it's so refreshing to see a photo with the playset in a normal yard with trees without 10 kids climbing on it. Speaking of kids, do I detect legs and shoes on the far side of the set? :)

Oops...forgot to actually THANK YOU for posting a pic! That's great and extremely helpful!

[dr mom]

This is a Climber, which is a 4x4 unit. DS will use the ramp, but he uses the climbing bars on the side more often. He doesn't use the sure step as much as I anticipated, but it makes ME feel better knowing it's there; it keeps him from falling through the hole in the Climber to the ground below. The dog happily uses the ramp and the sure step with equal frequency, if that's an issue for your family. ;)

I think the baby rascal ramp would have been outgrown quickly - he likes the challenge of the climbing, and has no problems scrambling up the full-size version.

The rope ladder has been a huge hit, the rungs are adjustable so I moved them closer together to accomodate his short toddler legs. He will climb up two or three rungs and then swing himself around wildly, laughing like a maniac the whole time.

I do like the slide, the other option I looked at was the "wave" slide but we have one of those at the neighborhood playground and DS tends to slide down v-e-r-y slowly and get stuck at the "hump" on the way down. That would probably not be an issue with a child who didn't insist on gripping the sides of the slide with both hands and carefully inching his way down. I expect when he gets older, he'll slide with abandon.

That is in fact my DS swinging on the far side. :)

A few more random pics from our Cedarworks Adventure...

THE EVOLUTION OF A PLAYSET:

Preparing a site, building the enclosure, and then the veritable mountain of mulch that had to be moved into the back yard:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32845.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32846.jpg

The assembly process, note the essential use of POWER TOOLS without which my DH would not have been nearly as enthusiastic about the project.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32847.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32848.jpg

DS started climbing before we had actually finished assembling the frame...
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32849.jpg http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32850.jpg

Edited to add superfluous pics

[kristenk]

Thanks so much for all of the info! Sorry that I had you repeat yourself a little. I could swear that the only thing that showed up in your post when I replied was the photo. Huh. Wonder what happened there?! I love the assembly photos. DH was asking me how that worked earlier this evening and I couldn't tell him much. The only problem with all of your info is that now I'm wondering about adding on a rope ladder. Uh oh. :)

[muskiesusan]

Cindy beat me to posting a link to our playset! :)

I just wanted to add that we love our set and the Sure Step has been a godsend when #2 came along and wanted to play outside with DS1. Alex has been able to do everything on the set except for the rock wall (although he tries) since about 10 months or so.

I think the horse swing is the most popular with the boys and their friends!

It took DH an entire Saturday and Sunday morning to put our set together. He had a problem with the nails bending as he was hammering them into the metal rods, but other than that, the assembly wasn't hard.

Susan
Mom to Nick 10/01
& Alex 04/04

[kristenk]

Hmmm...I don't think that we can get a horse swing. We just don't have enough room in that part of the yard. I'll definitely be getting Sure Step, though, after all of the recommendations. And I'll most likely try to add on a rope ladder. The tough part is trying to decide whether to go ahead and get it now or wait until the fall for 10% off. Thanks for your input!

[kristenk]

When I requested the brochure, I clicked the box for "friend" for how I heard about Cedarworks. I haven't been asked if anyone referred me, yet, though. I'd love to use someone's name from here. Let me know! (You can PM me through the boards if you'd like.)

[LBW]

I'd love to be your referral, if you haven't heard from anyone yet! We can split the referral fee. I can't PM you, though. I think your account is disabled?

If you can hold out for the late summer sale, you should. I didn't -- I was just so into researching sets that as soon as we figured out what we wanted, we ordered it. I'm just not a patient person! I think in addition to the 10% off you get two free toddler adirondack chairs.

[kristenk]

How strange about the PM! I thought that I'd received PMs before, but maybe I modified my account since then. I'll have to check. :)

I haven't heard from anyone else, and I'd love for you to be my referral! I'll try to PM/email you (or post back here if I can't!) and you can give me whatever info I'll need.

Do you have any idea when the late summer sale is? I hate that it would take months of use away from DD, but saving 10% on such a hefty amount is a good thing - especially when I'd like to add on the rope ladder!

[AngelaS]

I'm jumping in late to the conversation too, but I always have to rave about our CedarWorks set! :D

We've had our set 7 years now and the girls still love it as much as when we first set it up! We started with a Jungle, basic slide and a yardarm, that I put at Little Tykes swing on. A couple years later we added a three spot overhead ladder, held up by a slant ladder. That has a horse swing and two other swings hanging from it.

My girls (the toddler age especially) LOVE the Sure Step system. That's TOTALLY what sold me on the CW and I'm still glad that's what we got! We also have extra fort fences to close in the top.

My oldest is DYIN' to have a rock wall and I'm trying to decide where to hang one. DH is opposed to adding another tower in place of the slant ladder so maybe we'll get the rock wall that goes over the slant ladder. Decisions, decisions.... :D