The final touches have been put on the natural playground structure for Immanuel Lutheran preschoolers and they have already been putting it through its paces.

The deck, climbing wall and steps are made from white oak, the posts are eastern red cedar, and all of the twisty branches are osage orange. The three species of wood were chosen for their ability to weather the elements, while the white oak and osage orange have the added benefit of being exceptionally strong.

The climbing wall is made from white oak with cedar chunks.

In the back is a swinging piece of osage orange suspended from a u-shaped branch.

The slide has white oak for the structure and an outdoor plastic for the top.

The two steps are made from large pieces of solid white oak.

Wind chimes hang from this corner.

Thanks to the staff at Immanuel for being great hosts. They always greeted me with a smile and sometimes, even with cookies.