The Parks and Recreation Catalog explores how outdoor musical instruments can bring energy, creativity, and inclusivity to parks, trails, and community spaces. Filled with inspiring ideas, real-world case studies, and expert insights, this catalog highlights how music can foster social connection, encourage active play, and create welcoming environments for people of all ages and abilities.
Connecting Generations Through Music and Play:
Intergenerational play is rapidly emerging as a powerful way to boost cognitive, social, and emotional well-being across all ages. This whitepaper explores how music-making can enhance these programs—fostering meaningful connections between children, older adults, and the wider community.
In this episode, we highlight three inspiring community projects that beautifully blend nature, creativity, and accessibility. Explore an award-winning park that has become a lively hub for connection and play, a thriving pollinator garden within a wetlands center that supports biodiversity, and a one-of-a-kind music garden designed by a high school student to make music accessible to all. Join us as we uncover the stories behind these initiatives and the meaningful impact they’re having in their communities.
Can these instruments be easily added to existing playgrounds or public spaces?
Yes! Outdoor musical instruments are highly versatile and can be seamlessly integrated into existing play areas, walking trails, gardens, or community spaces. They complement traditional play equipment and add a sensory-rich, interactive element that appeals to a wide audience.
By adding just a few instruments, you can refresh a park affordably, introduce a multigenerational and inclusive feature, and create a more engaging and welcoming environment for everyone—without the need for major renovations or costly new structures.
How durable are these instruments and do they require a lot of maintenance?
These instruments are built to withstand the elements and require minimal upkeep. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and HDPE, they’re designed for heavy, long-term outdoor use. Occasional cleaning and inspection are typically all that’s needed to keep them looking and sounding great.
While maintenance needs are low, replacement parts are available and easy to order—though they’re rarely needed thanks to the instruments’ robust construction and high-quality components.
Do outdoor musical instruments require impact-absorbing surfacing like traditional playground equipment?
No. Unlike climbing structures or swings, our outdoor musical instruments are designed to be played while standing on the ground and are not intended for climbing. As such, they do not require impact-absorbing surfacing.
That said, all equipment should still be installed with appropriate ‘free space’ zones to reduce the risk of collisions. If installing directly into grass, consider using ground protection solutions like grass reinforcement mesh to prevent wear and muddy patches in high-use areas.
Ultimately, it’s important that any organization managing a play space ensures proper installation, routine maintenance, and safety inspections are in place.
How are outdoor musical instruments installed?
All our instruments come with easy-to-follow, universal installation instructions, and we offer several fixing methods to suit different environments:
- Ground Fix: Involves digging a hole and concreting the instrument post(s) directly into the ground—ideal for grass, soil, or loose surfacing.
- Surface Fix: Perfect for areas where digging isn’t possible, such as concrete or expensive safety surfacing. Instruments are mounted using surface plates and secured with suitable ground anchors or bolts (not supplied).
- Wall Mount: Many of our instruments can also be mounted directly to walls, making them ideal for compact courtyards or enclosed spaces.
When placing your order, simply let us know your preferred installation method. Each product page includes downloadable installation guides to help ensure a smooth and secure setup.
What about sound levels—are they disruptive?
We also provide sound level data for each instrument to help you make informed decisions and choose the best options for your specific environment.
