The strongest nature-themed playgrounds don’t simply imitate the outdoors—they give children meaningful ways to climb, move, explore, and notice the materials around them. At NRPA 2026 in Philadelphia, GameTime is bringing that idea to life with GT Halo, ACRE, and Whole Trees, showcasing natural materials for playground design.

Together, these featured products show how designers can combine expressive forms, wood-like finishes, and authentic tree elements to create memorable play environments. They also demonstrate that natural materials for playground design can support imaginative play without limiting project flexibility.

See nature-inspired playground design at NRPA

The NRPA Annual Conference runs September 29–October 1, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The exhibit hall is open September 29–30, giving parks and recreation professionals an opportunity to explore new ideas for public spaces, schools, and community destinations.

GameTime’s display focuses

New partnership introduces innovative material made from upcycled rice hulls to create natural-looking, durable playground environments

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (Sept. 15, 2026) – What do rice hulls have to do with playgrounds? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

GameTime is partnering with Modern Mill to introduce ACRE, an innovative wood-alternative material made from upcycled rice hulls, into a new generation of nature-inspired playground designs.

ACRE looks and feels like real wood, but it isn't wood at all. Made from an agricultural byproduct that might otherwise go to waste, the material gives designers a new way to bring the warmth, texture, and character of wood into playground environments while delivering the performance needed for years of outdoor play.

"At GameTime, we're always looking for new ways to help communities create play spaces that feel connected to the places around them," said Spencer Cheak, President, GameTime. "Our partnership with Modern Mill gives designers an entirely

While building a park in any capacity is valuable, research suggests that outdoor recreation spaces flourish when their design is founded in research, supplemental programming is offered, and stakeholders actively participate in the planning process.

National Demonstration Sites (NDS) are playgrounds that showcase leadership in best practice design, support health-related initiatives, and collect data that stakeholders can use to understand the sites’ impact on the community. Through five distinct categories, the NDS program facilitates the translation of research into practical implementation at local parks. 
Read on to learn more about the NDS program and its five categories. 
 

Play On!: Youth Physical Activity 

Experience the excitement of Play On!® playgrounds, where innovative equipment turns fitness into fun! 

Developed by our parent company, PlayCore, in collaboration with Shape America, the Play On! curriculum is designed to tackle sedentary lifestyles and promote youth fitness.