DWA Recreation

10/03/2026

Outdoor recreation isn't just about playgrounds.

Outdoor fitness spaces give people more ways to move, exercise, build strength, and stay active—while bringing fitness into the same community spaces people already use and enjoy.

Our latest blog explores the growing value of outdoor fitness and why communities are finding more ways to incorporate movement into their outdoor environments.

Read more: https://dwarec.com/articles/2026/9/more-ways-to-move-the-growing-value-of-outdoor-fitness/

10/01/2026

Our team spent 3 days in Philadelphia at the National Parks & Recreation Association Annual Conference. We checked out what’s new, what’s next, and what caught our attention in outdoor recreation!

One of the highlights? Getting an up-close look at some of the newest playground designs from GameTime. We’re always excited to see fresh ideas in play, recreation, furnishings, and community space design, and even more excited to bring that inspiration back home to the communities we work with throughout Ohio and Kentucky.

Of course, a great conference isn’t all work! Our sales team also had a chance to enjoy an evening out together after a full day on the tradeshow floor.

New designs. New ideas. Great conversations. And plenty of inspiration to bring home. Here are a few snapshots from our time in Philly!

10/01/2026

We couldn’t be more thrilled for this project, the people making it happen, and the community it will serve!

09/30/2026

💙 A vision built with love. A legacy built through play.

The Mitchell Chang Foundation had a vision: to honor the memory of their son, Mitchell, by creating a playful, inclusive place where the entire community could come together.

After three years of planning, fundraising, design, and construction, that vision became a reality with the grand opening of Mitchell’s Landing in San Antonio, Texas.

A memorial playground like this is about so much more than the space itself. It’s a place where Mitchell’s memory can live on through laughter, friendships, imagination, and countless moments of joy.

And perhaps the best review of all came from one simple comment: “It looks better than the design.”

Our family at GameTime is honored to celebrate the joy of the Mitchell Chang Foundation and everyone who helped bring Mitchell’s Landing to life. 💙

The Mitchell Chang Foundation had a vision to celebrate the memory ...

09/29/2026

Have you been saying, “We'd love to build a new playground, but we need to find the funding first”?

This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

GameTime is offering matching funds for qualifying playground projects, with up to 100% matching funds potentially available depending on the eligible play system and purchase requirements.

Whether you're planning for a park, school, community organization, or other eligible project, it's worth seeing what your project may qualify for.

📅 Application deadline: October 23, 2026

Don't wait until the deadline to start the conversation.

👉 Start your application with DWA Recreation: https://dwarec.com/grant/

09/28/2026

09/28/2026

Exciting things are coming to Beckett Park West! We're thrilled to see this next phase get underway and proud to be part of a project that will bring even more opportunity for play, accessibility, and connection to the West Chester Community. We can't wait to see the new playground come to life!

West Chester Township - Government

Beginning today, Beckett Park West will be closed at the fishing pier as we prepare for big changes. We'll have heavy equipment back there, trying to accomplish as much as possible before colder weather slows us down.

Enhancements include:
• A new playground with inclusive features, including a zipline and separate play areas for 2-5 and 5-12 age groups.
• Improved walking trails with increased accessibility.
• Expanded bathrooms and shelter.
• Expanded parking for Splash Pad and new playground.
• Fencing and a seating wall that serve as a barrier to nearby retention ponds.

Thank you for your patience while we do this work.

09/26/2026

Benches. Shade. Receptacles. They may not be the first things you picture when you think about a great recreation space—but they can make a BIG difference in how people experience it.

From creating comfortable places to rest to keeping spaces clean, welcoming, and functional, the right site furnishings help turn a good outdoor space into one people want to use and enjoy.

Our latest blog takes a closer look at the details that matter.

Read: https://dwarec.com/articles/2026/9/benches-and-shade-and-receptacles-oh-my/

Discover how benches, tables, shade structures, and trash receptacles can transform a playground or recreation space into a comfortable, accessible, and welcoming destination for the entire community.

09/26/2026

🚧 Project in Progress: Ripley, Ohio

Something exciting is taking shape in Ripley! The community is transforming this area into a destination for events, recreation, and gathering. The progress over the past few weeks has been incredible to watch.

The larger project includes a new amphitheater and event lawn, an upgraded picnic pavilion with complementary architecture, concession and restroom facilities, expanded parking, vendor spaces, decorative pavers, memorial and history features, EV charging, infrastructure improvements, and a new inclusive playground.

DWA Recreation is proud to be working as a subcontractor alongside the project’s general contractor. The playground will feature ADA transfer platforms, seat-level activities, and inclusive play opportunities designed to welcome children across a range of ages, abilities, and mobilities, and continue challenging them as they grow.

There’s still plenty happening on site, but the transformation is already becoming easy to imagine. We can’t wait to see this community vision come together!

📸 We’ve included current construction photos along with an AI-generated concept image showing how the finished space could look.

09/25/2026

🐻 It’s FAT BEAR WEEK — and naturally, we had to ask the important question:

If some of Katmai’s chunkiest competitors had their pick of GameTime playground equipment… what would they choose?

Meet THREE of this year’s contenders and their completely unofficial DWA Recreation playground picks:

🐻 CHUNK — Double Arch Swing
Chunk was first identified as an independent, chunky-looking 2.5-year-old in 2007, and he definitely grew into the name. Today, he’s one of the largest bears at Brooks River — and the defending Fat Bear Week champion.

His playground pick? The Double Arch Swing. Because when you’ve worked that hard to earn the name Chunk, you deserve to kick back and let somebody else do the pushing.

🐻 BACKPACK — Tilted Sky Runner
Backpack got his name as a cub when he would climb onto his mother Holly’s back while she swam through the river. Now he’s all grown up, but apparently we’re still committed to finding him interesting ways to hitch a ride.

We put him on the Tilted Sky Runner — four paws, plenty of momentum, and absolutely no concern for aerodynamics.

🐻 BUCKY — Vista Star 4
Bucky was first identified as an independent 2.5-year-old in 2019. Young male bears are known for testing their boundaries, and Bucky has made a name for himself by adapting to competition and embracing opportunity.

Naturally, we gave him something to conquer: the Vista Star 4 climber. Climb, explore, test your limits…and maybe work up an appetite for another salmon or twelve.

Fat Bear Week celebrates the incredible transformation of Katmai National Park’s brown bears as they prepare for winter hibernation — and yes, you can actually vote for your favorite.

We may know playgrounds, but we’re leaving this competition to the bears. 🐻

Which one gets your vote: Chunk, Backpack or Bucky?