Woodplay Playsets Celebrates 50th Year
Woodplay Playsets, a premium swing set equipment brand, is celebrating its 50th year of providing active, outdoor playground equipment to families. The company was started in 1975 by Doug Ezell and Jim Andrews, two fraternity brother design engineers from North Carolina State University. In 2007, the brand was acquired by its parent company Escalade Sports, a sporting goods, fitness, and indoor/outdoor recreation manufacturer based in Evansville, Indiana. Today, Woodplay is reflecting on its brand’s history and innovation over the last 50 years.
"Celebrating Woodplay's 50th year is not only about reflecting on our past achievements, but also about looking forward to the next generation of families who will create meaningful memories on our playsets,” said Woodplay’s National Sales Manager Thomas Ellingson, “From Woodplay's humble beginnings to becoming a trusted brand, we remain dedicated to safety, sustainability, and quality. We are excited for what the next 50 years will bring."
Woodplay’s original founders started a small furniture company out of their basement in 1973 after college graduation. Two years later, they were approached by the City of Raleigh Parks Department to design a commercial playset for a local park. This became the first ever Woodplay playset. This project pivoted the duo to move from furniture to commercial playground equipment. Ezell became the original designer of the cantilevered playset, which is now a staple design in the playset industry. This style of playset is specifically designed to cater to the needs of preschool-aged children and features one swing at a slightly lower height, incorporating hangers that are spaced farther apart. In 1979, Doug and Jim decided to expand their business to residential playground equipment.
Over the next several years, Woodplay grew their business to selling swingsets across the country. In 1994, the company was purchased by John Sally, a Raleigh, North Carolina native. John would later hand the reigns to his son Jim. The company then moved into a 50,000-square-foot facility on Harrod Street in Raleigh. With the expanded capacity, the Sally family aggressively started to expand their dealer network. In 2007, Escalade Sports acquired the company.
Today, the brand offers delivery and installation services nationwide. Woodplay prioritizes safety and goes above and beyond industry safety standards. Woodplay partners with manufacturers who are proud members of the Forest Stewardship Council. Our wood is sourced from sustainably managed forests, so Woodplay can keep making quality playsets for generations to come. Woodplay is also proud to have supported hundreds of children over the years in the ‘Make a Wish’ program, nonprofits, and the local communities with their donations of playset equipment.
To learn more about Woodplay’s 50th anniversary, visit the link here or find your local Showroom here. To celebrate this milestone, Woodplay is hosting a giveaway to 15 lucky winners of free nest swings. Enter to win here.