Whether you are planning a brand new park or making additions to an existing one, BYO Recreation is here to help you from start to finish! The first step is planning. When you begin thinking about what you want the park to be, what's the first thing you think of? Is it sprawling nature trails and peaceful, scenic water views? Do you picture a lively picnic area with fire rings and grills?

All your ideas and visions can become a reality! After thinking about what you want your park to be, think about how you can complement the natural landscape with your design. Will the design you choose fit in with the ambiance your park naturally creates? Do the additions provide a sense of continuity throughout the entire park? Answering these questions will help you create a timeless design for your park.

Your aim is to create a balance between facility resources and seasonal use. The design of the facility should allow for and promote year-round use. Nature trails can be used year-round and can offer guests a different experience every time they use it. Picnic areas also have the ability to cater to a wide range of groups, depending on how they are set up. Do your picnic tables provide a variety of scenery?

Picnic tables need to have an ordered, arranged layout. When you are deciding where your picnic area should be, look for natural patterns in the landscape. For example, if your park has a lake, you can follow the natural curve of the lake. Placing the tables far enough from the water to allow walking people access to the lakeside, while still providing scenery for people at the tables.

You should also think about the vicinity of the area. Your picnic area should be located near parking, bathrooms and trash receptacles. When visitors come to your park for a picnic, they will likely have coolers of food and other supplies for the day. Making sure the picnic area is near the parking lot assures that park guests have easy access to their vehicles for convenience and security.

Now that we've gone over a few things to consider when thinking about your park and its picnic area, share your ideas with us! We'd love to help you with your park design and find you the best picnic tables and equipment for your park! Call us at 1-800-853-5316 to speak to a Park Specialist today!