Woodplay 50th Anniversary Giveaway

Learn about Woodplay Playsets through the years. Woodplay was incorporated in 1975 by two fraternity brothers from North Carolina State University, Doug Ezell and Jim Andrews. Both Design Engineers, they started a small furniture company out of their basement in 1973 after Graduation. In 1975 they were approached by the City of Raleigh parks department to design a commercial playset for a local park. This was the first Woodplay playset. They enjoyed the project so much, they pivoted from furniture to commercial playground equipment. Doug Ezell is the original designer of the cantilevered playset. This design is now a staple in the industry. In 1979 they decided to expand their business to residential playground equipment.

For the next twelve years they used a mail in catalog to sell residential playsets all over the country. By 1991 they had created a more traditional Catalog and started partnering with existing business’ that they could sell to at a wholesale price. At this time they replaced the Metal Swing Beams, Metal Dowels and Metal slides with Redwood Beams, and dowels. The slides were now plastic and these changes were the start of a safer playset. Through the years Woodplay was very focused on safety. The current brand is compliant with all CPSC and ASTM Standards.

In 1994 the company was purchased by John Sally a native of Raleigh, NC. John would later hand the reigns to his son Jim. At this time the company moved into a 50,000 sq. ft. facility on Harrod St. in Raleigh. With the expanded capacity, the Sally’s started to aggressively expand their dealer network which now spanned the entire country. The company thrived for the next 12 years when, in 2007 the company was acquired by Escalade Sports.

Woodplay continues to innovate through the years with bigger beams, smoother edges, safer play, plus the most Funnovations around. Woodplay is also proud to have supported hundreds of children through the years in the Make a Wish program, nonprofits, and the local communities with their donations of playset equipment. Woodplay partners with manufacturers who are proud members of the Forest Stewardship Council. At Woodplay, leaving our kids a healthy planet is integral to our beliefs. So, we build our sets using naturally bug and rot resistant cedar, sourced from sustainability managed forests. it is also why we build our sets to last for decades.

Here's to 50 more years! Find a showroom near you!