The impressive playground at Apex’s Pleasant Park is the result of thoughtful design, imaginative equipment, and a storytelling approach that sparks creativity and adventure. Apex recently celebrated Pleasant Park’s first anniversary, marking an astounding 2 million visitors since its opening. Craig Setzer and Angela Reincke are the visionaries behind the park, set out to create a play area that would encourage imaginative, inclusive play while integrating seamlessly with the park’s diverse recreational offerings.

Pleasant Park spans 92 acres and includes multipurpose fields, pickleball and basketball courts, shelters, and fieldhouse offices, with more features planned in future phases. When identifying the need for the park Apex Recreation wanted to address programming needs and reduce the waitlists for youth and adult sports teams. The play space provides an outlet for siblings attending sports events and is its own amenity draw. The 1.5-acre playground with the theme of an Enchanted Forest, features nine unique play villages: Kingdom in the Clouds, Reverie, Gnome’s Hollow, Marvelous Melody, Discovery Dig, Sticks & Stones (nature play), Trollway Bridge, Splashlantis splash pad, and a Reading Nook. Each village showcases equipment from seven different manufacturers worldwide to ensure a variety of innovative play elements. Barrs Recreation contributed equipment to the Kingdom in the Clouds, Discovery Dig, Sticks & Stones, and Reverie areas.

The Enchanted Forest theme centers on imaginative play, which promotes childhood development by fostering social skills, creativity, and critical thinking. The playground’s centerpiece is the impressive green Berliner Triitopia, complete with a 35-foot slide. Beyond this standout feature, the playground is rich with details that encourage imaginative exploration. Drawing inspiration from classic tales such as The Wizard of Oz, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Tree of Life, the playground invites children to reimagine their adventures daily. The towering Berliner Triitopia can evoke the Emerald City, a beanstalk reaching for the sky, or an enchanted tree.

 
One of project manager Angela’s favorite features is the dedicated signage throughout the playground, which identifies the purpose of each play area and the developmental skills it supports. This signage helps children and caregivers understand the type of play their bodies need, enhancing the overall play experience.

To support the park’s goal of attracting local, regional, and national visitors, the playground was designed with accessibility in mind. Tiered play structures facilitate interaction between caregivers and children, while pour-in-place surfacing and surrounding sidewalks ensure accessibility for individuals using mobility devices. This inclusive setup promotes multi-generational play, creating an environment that welcomes everyone, including Apex’s large veteran population. 

In its first year open, Pleasant Park has hosted countless athletic tournaments and the facility has opened doors for Apex to join into partnerships with the greater Raleigh Sports Association. The draw of the athletic events has created a positive economic impact on the areas surrounding the park and alleviated stress on some of the other recreational facilities, increasing general program participation throughout the town of Apex. The playground is a popular amenity at all times of the day. You can find additional pictures of Pleasant Park here, and a drone tour of the playground here. We would love to talk more about the playground equipment- and you can reach out to one of our representatives here.