Garden Playground Equipment Ebay Shop

I've removed all the 2004 products from the Garden Playground Equipment Ebay shop. At the moment things are pretty bare in there. It's taking longer than I hoped for to populate the Ebay store. At the moment the products that are going in the Ebay shop are the same products that are in this site, plus some of the products from Climbing Frames Etc.

Until the Garden Playground Equipment Ebay shop is fully re-stocked there won't be any special offers to be had. It should take about another day or two to get things fully loaded in the Ebay shop. Only the special offer items in the Ebay shop will be any cheaper than the items in the main Garden Playground Equipment shop as, hard as it may be to believe, it works out more expensive to sell things through Ebay than it does from a web site (such as this).

Climbing Frame and Swing Set - 2005 update

I just realised that I'd posted the update on the climbing frame, swing set, and lookout tower before I'd posted this update on the standard climbing frame, which is like putting the cart before the horse. Anyway, the page for the Climbing Frame Deluxe is now in place.

This is an update of the 2004 climbing frame model and the changes that have been made for 2005 include giving it wider support at the base so that it is even more robust than previously. Ground anchors are still highly recommended, but with a base this wide it is pretty unlikely that it would be possible for this to topple over, even without ground anchors. Still, better safe than sorry !

There are other improvements to the climbing frame for 2005. There are extra struts around the top corners to provide extra strength and rigidity. Most significantly though is the ability ofthe climbing frame to be integrated with the other playground equipment models, rather than being a standalone item as it previously was.

It is now possible to take one of the kids forts, the climbing frame and a bridge link and combine them to produce something like this :

With something like that combination, your kids have got just about everything they could wish for !

Climbing Frame, Swing Set, and lookout tower - NEW

There is a new climbing frame model for 2005. It is the standard climbing frame, but with the addition of a lookout tower. The lookout tower sits on top of your climbing frame and provides and ideal hiding place and vantage point for your kids. One of the benefits of the lookout tower is that it enhances your play structure without taking up any more of your garden.

Why not take a look at the Climbing Frame Deluxe ?

Kids Fort (compact) with swing set and climbing frame - 2005 update

This is possibly the most popular model that we do. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution when it comes to playground equipment for you garden, then this comes pretty close.

The Garden Playground Equipment shop has now been updated with the 2005 model. This was previously labelled up in the navigation bar as our 'Best Value Fort System'. It will now now be changed to 'Compact Fort System'. Why ? Well all the kids fort we sell are great value, not just this one ! Secondly, this fort is a different height from the standard size. It's is more compact and to avoid any confusion the name has been changed to reflect this.

What has changed from the 2004 model to the 2005 model ? One thing has been removed, and that is the trapeze that stuck out from the side of the fort. This is a shame as it's not possible to connect a trapeze to this play structure anywhere else. However, losing the trapeze means that the compact kids fort system is now able to expand in almost the same way as the standard sized kids forts. It is possible to buy extra forts and to add them on to your existing play system using bridge links, add more climbing frames / monkey bars, and expand in a whole load of ways. So, I'm sorry to see the trapeze go, but it's removal opens up a world of opportunities for expanding your playground equipment.

One further change of note is that the base at the vertical ladder end of the climbing frame has been widened to provide even more safety and stability. Of course this model, like our others, fully complies with the latest European regulation EN71-8.

Why not take a look at the new 2005 model of the Compact Kids Fort System ?

Kids Fort & ladder (GPE102) - 2005 update

The Kids Fort & Ladder (GPE102) has just been updated in the Garden Playground Equipment shop. There are some minor changes to this model for 2005, and the good news is that it now comes as standard with a set of 4 ground anchors.

There are two sizes of fort that we sell. This is the standard sized fort, with a platform that is 5ft off the ground. If you are looking for an expandable an versatile play structure in your garden then this is an ideal starting point.

Like other playground equipment that we sell this model can only be sold with something to provide 'a use' for the opening off the platform where the slide connects. If you are not purchasing this playground equipment model with a slide then we are obliged to sell it with a 'full side kit'. This is simply a wooden section which is designed to prevent children from falling from the open section.

If you are looking to build your own custom configuration then please telephone so that I can advise and possibly sell this at a lower cost. As long as the opening has 'a use' then we can sell it. This could be a bridge link, or one of our other accessories.

Kids fort with swing set (GPE101) - update for 2005

This popular model has been updated for 2005 and is now available from the Garden Playground Equipment shop. This retains all the great features that the 2004 model had (kids fort, swing set, and knotted climbing rope), but has been enhanced to make it even stronger than before. Changes to the EU regulations mean that any opening off a platform must have a use, so where we previously would have sold this with or without a slide, we must now sell it with a slide, or with something else to provide 'a use' to the area where the slide would connect to to the fort.

If you don't want to purchase this model with a slide then we must sell it with a 'full side kit'. This is simply something to fill the opening so that there is no danger of children falling out and getting hurt.

We will be happy to sell this model without the 'full side kit' or the slide at a price of £410 if you wish to purchase it with something else to provide 'a use' to the opening. This could be a bridge link, monkey bars, or spiral slide for example. Please telephone if you would like to choose a configuration that we do not have listed and I'd be happy to let you know the best price that we could do it for.

Here is the link for more information about the Kids Fort, Swing Set, Slide & climbing rope.

Delivery of Playground Equipment

As part of the site update to include the new 2005 playground equipment models a change has been made to the delivery charges. Unfortunately, this has meant that there has had to be an increase in the delivery charge. Please be aware that delivery is a loss maker for us, and while the price of the delivery has gone up, it is STILL less than we are being charged by the manufacturer to get your play structure to you.

Playground Equipment - new models tomorrow

Starting tomorrow I will be changing around the range of playground equipment that we offer. The new climbing frames, kids forts, swing sets etc. are very similar to what we currently have. Some models will be dropped, but the main change is that the models will comply to the new EN71-8 regulations. As I mentioned in my previous post this mostly affects the play structures with open sides that are unused. These products must now be sold with something to give a use to the open side. This could be a slide, bridge, or if none of these are purchased then the 'full side kit' must be sold with the product.

More about EN71-8 and Playground Equipment

I mentioned a bit about the new EU regulations that affect playground equipment and other outdoor toys. What I never mentioned was the direct effect that it has on the products within Garden Playground Equipment.

Under the new regulations any opening coming off a platform must 'have a use'. In other words the opening must be for a slide, bridge, etc. Currently we sell forts and climbing frames either with or without a slide. Under the new regulations we would not be able to sell these products as we currently do. They must be sold with a slide, or something to provide 'a use' for the opening. Therefore, a new product will be introduced which is the Full Side Kit, which fills the open side.

So, to meet our legal obligations we need to ensure that any open sided products (forts, climbing frames) are purchased with something to fill the gap. If you are not purchasing a slide or bridge etc. to fill the gap then the Full Side Kit which will need to be purchased. This will sell for £30.

Not all products are affected by this ruling but those that are will be clearly indicated.

Playground Equipment on Ebay

I mentioned in the very first post in this news section that I would be putting some of the playground equipment on Ebay every now and then. What I realised was that I had failed to say what my Ebay details were.

My Ebay id is : virtcom
My Ebay shop is : Garden Playground Equipment

I'm currently in the process of removing obsolete items from the Ebay store and bringing it up to date. More on this later.