We want an awesome treehouse/fort/playset (Northbrook, Morton: houses, to buy)

[STL Mom]

We want an awesome, interesting play structure for the kids in the back yard. My kids want a tree house, but we don't have any full-grown trees that are in just our yard. Maybe we could raise up some kind of playhouse, but we don't have the skill to do that ourselves. Does anyone know of a person or company that designs and builds wonderful raised forts or treehouses?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by STL Mom

We want an awesome, interesting play structure for the kids in the back yard. My kids want a tree house, but we don't have any full-grown trees that are in just our yard. Maybe we could raise up some kind of playhouse, but we don't have the skill to do that ourselves. Does anyone know of a person or company that designs and builds wonderful raised forts or treehouses?

Google: it's a great thing!

[cubssoxfan]

Try Rainbow Play Systems or Dehne in Northbrook.

[ajolotl]

Yes, you need to bring the kids to Rainbow systems in naperville. It is jaw dropping. They can test out all of the playsets in an huge indoor showroom. Low pressure sales. Excellent quality.

Oh, and bring 5-10K.

I did it though and don't regret at penny. a great business.

[cubssoxfan]

Another idea is to see if your neighbors know any good contractors. A good GC might be able to build you a more custom/tree-house oriented unit, at or below the Rainbow cost. We went to Dehne, Playground Equipment - Dehne Lawn & Leisure, Inc.. becasue it was much cheaper than Rainbow. Out in the western burbs, off Finley and I-88 is Warnecke (Spelling?) and they sell playsets also.

[chet everett]

The Morton Arboretum is, as you might suspect, a great resource. They advocate that all tree houses should be self supporting for safety and the health of the tree. The had a competition with some wild architects building awesome tree house / play towers a few years back. I think the resources they list have some plans.

It is easier than building a deck, becuase you don't need stairs or an attachment to your house and the skills are pretty basic. If you can set piers, cut posts and use a level you could probably knock it out in a weekend or two.

Branch Out And Build A Treehouse

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by chet everett

The Morton Arboretum is, as you might suspect, a great resource. They advocate that all tree houses should be self supporting for safety and the health of the tree. The had a competition with some wild architects building awesome tree house / play towers a few years back. I think the resources they list have some plans.

It is easier than building a deck, becuase you don't need stairs or an attachment to your house and the skills are pretty basic. If you can set piers, cut posts and use a level you could probably knock it out in a weekend or two.

Branch Out And Build A Treehouse

Chet, Excellent info, where were you when I invested $$$$ in a Rainbow playset, only to watch my son climb and play in the trees AROUND it. You are one of CD's greatest informational resources. Anyone want to buy a playset at a discount?

[STL Mom]

Well, I did try Google first, and found all the regular playset companies like Rainbow. I'm imagining something different, like a mini Swiss Family Robinson house with a swing underneath, or maybe a zip line. I'm having trouble figuring out how to do that without a big tree, and make it look cool enough for my kids to use for years to come. I'd love to find a contractor who has made something like this before. I'll check the Morton site next - thanks, Chet!

[rrah]

It's been a few years, but we purchased an awesome fort/playset for our children out in Yorkville. It was the neatest one we had ever seen with a large variety of options. At the time it was significantly less than Rainbow systems, and we liked that we were supporting a local business. It was actually more like a tree fort with a few swinging areas attached.

I just checked out the website for the place off Finley. The place in Yorkville was nicer because it was all wood--no plastic roofs. I think it was on RT. 34. As I said, it was a few years ago so I know if they are still there. Your might google Yorkville playground equipment to find it. Worth the drive.

[irish setter girl]

Originally Posted by rrah

It's been a few years, but we purchased an awesome fort/playset for our children out in Yorkville. It was the neatest one we had ever seen with a large variety of options. At the time it was significantly less than Rainbow systems, and we liked that we were supporting a local business. It was actually more like a tree fort with a few swinging areas attached.

I just checked out the website for the place off Finley. The place in Yorkville was nicer because it was all wood--no plastic roofs. I think it was on RT. 34. As I said, it was a few years ago so I know if they are still there. Your might google Yorkville playground equipment to find it. Worth the drive.

The place off Finley is called Wannemakers and they do have a nice selection. The place in Yorkville is no longer in business (unless they moved locaitons). I drove past the Yorkville place about 6 months ago and the whole building had changed hands. If you are looking for something custom you may want to find a local carpenter who could design and build something.