Built for Wonder. Rooted in Nature.

When learning leaves the classroom, the walls come down, and curiosity takes over. At CK Nature Play, our natural playground contractors are bringing the outside into the classroom, creating adaptable spaces where lessons, creativity, activity, and nature can coexist every day for schools throughout California.

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CSLB Licensed

Contractor Lic. #1067489

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40+ Years

Division of CK Landscape

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CPSI Certified

Playground Safety Inspector on Staff

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Bay Area & Northern CA

Dedicated Nature Play Specialists

Outdoor Classroom Builder California

Every child deserves a safe outdoor space full of life and adventure, not another square of concrete slab with some bolted-down picnic tables.

Our California outdoor classroom builder offers expertise in both child development and professional landscape design, creating nature-based learning environments that spark imagination and adventure.

We take the time to know your needs before suggesting our own ideas, based on a deep understanding of our field, an abiding interest in children and what they need to thrive, and broad experience in the classroom and natural settings.

With years of field experience and a passion for children and the outdoors, you can expect an eye for detail and innovation combined with proven methods and techniques when you hire us to design and build your outdoor learning space.

Three children playing on a wooden playground structure outdoors, surrounded by a black metal fence, with apartment buildings in the background.
Decorative outdoor wall featuring stacked firewood held behind wire fencing with wooden framed hexagon and square-shaped shelves.
Four children playing on a large wooden playground structure in a park, with modern residential buildings in the background.
Outdoor playground area with wooden play structures on a corkeen surface, enclosed by a wooden fence and surrounded by houses and trees under a clear blue sky.
Two workers cutting tree logs with handheld power saws constructing a natural playground, some logs are stacked upright and others lay flat on the ground.

Building Strong Play Spaces Together With Families

CK Nature Play is first and foremost a construction and installation firm — a dedicated division of CK Landscape, the company Gary Cartwright founded over 40 years ago and that his son Alex has grown up in, worked in, and now carries forward.

We build structural timber elements, boulder groupings, engineered surfacing systems, water play features, outdoor learning environments, and ADA-accessible site features. We understand soils, foundations, drainage, anchoring, and durability — and we build environments that last.

Alex Cartwright, CEO of CK Nature Play, smiling, wearing a white polo shirt with a logo, outdoors on grass

Alex is personally involved in every CK Nature Play project — from initial site review through post-installation inspection.

Alex Cartwright — Founder, CK Nature Play

Children's outdoor playground with tree logs for seating, chalkboards with drawings, and sandbox toys.
A young child wearing a teal shirt and strawberry-patterned pajama pants is climbing over a large wooden log at an indoor play area with wooden structures and a black and wood-framed window in the background.
Two children with blurred faces playing with chalk on ground outside, behind a wooden fence with chalkboard signs, one with a colorful drawing of a flower and sun.

Every site has its own personality, and we consider these factors from our first walk-through. Our playground equipment installation company will design your custom outdoor classroom based on our extensive experience in planning and arranging landscapes and spaces that are functional and convenient for children.

Contact us to schedule a visit to your work site to discuss your particular needs, budget, and timeline. We offer continued support for your outdoor classroom, including advice on maintenance and safety, as long as you have the space.

Contact Our California Outdoor Classroom Builders

A gloved hand smoothing corkeen surface with a flat, metal trowel.
Wooden blocks casting shadows on a corkeen surface with a green tree, cars, and buildings in the background.
Close-up of a textured surface made of small, irregularly shaped, brown granules that make up the safe sustainable material Corkeen.

Outdoor Classroom Builder FAQ’s for California Schools

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Classroom in California?

The cost is based on size, design specifications, and installation. At CK Nature Play, our natural playground contractors evaluate your space and project needs and provide an estimate for an outdoor classroom built to your specifications and budget.

Do You Build Outdoor Classrooms for Public Schools or Just Private Programs?

At CK Nature Play, we design outdoor classrooms for public schools, private schools, preschools, childcare centers, churches, and community programs. Our outdoor classroom builders create safe, engaging spaces for learning, play, group activities, and everyday outdoor lessons.

How Does the Outdoor Classroom Design Process Begin?

We start with an on-site visit and review your goals, age groups, space, and daily needs. Our team develops a plan that considers learning, movement, safety, accessibility, natural elements, materials, and how teachers expect to use the outdoor classroom.

Let's Build Something That Matters.

A line of wooden tree stump stools and slices arranged outdoors on a sandy and textured surface, with a building wall and shadows in the background.

If you're developing a park, school campus, or civic space and seeking an experienced natural play construction partner, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate.

A backyard with trees, a wooden deck with stumps, and various fenced play areas, shaded by large green trees on a sunny day with a blue sky.
An outdoor play area with tree stump seating, large wooden posts, a sandbox, and a chalkboard wall, with children and adults present.
An outdoor pet or play area with a wooden structure, various toys, plants, and a sandbox. The ground is covered with wood chips, and the space is enclosed by wooden fencing.
A playground with wood and rope climbing structures, a shaded canopy, trees, and a chain-link fence under a clear blue sky.