Meet Rob Wilson | Founder of PlaygroundFind.com
We had the good fortune of connecting with Rob Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rob, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
### Promotes Outdoor Activity By making playground locations and reviews easily accessible, PlaygroundFind.com is the wind beneath the wings of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a beacon guiding families and children to dive into outdoor activities, embracing the joys and health benefits of the great outdoors.
### Connects Communities
PlaygroundFind.com is more than a platform; it’s a digital town square. Families and community members come together, swapping stories, experiences, and tips, all while weaving a tapestry of unity and belonging.
### Supports Inclusive Play
Every child has a place on PlaygroundFind.com. The platform shines a spotlight on playgrounds tailored for diverse needs, ensuring that every jump, swing, and slide is accessible and delightful for all.
### Boosts Local Economies
Where there’s play, there’s pay! Buzzing playgrounds pull in crowds, indirectly sprinkling some fairy dust on local cafes, ice-cream trucks, and nearby attractions.
### Drives Quality
Quality isn’t just a buzzword here. Thanks to crystal-clear reviews and ratings, PlaygroundFind.com sends a gentle nudge to local authorities, reminding them that top-notch, safe playgrounds are what communities love.
### Sustainability Awareness
Think green, play green! By showcasing playgrounds that hug trees (figuratively!), PlaygroundFind.com is sowing the seeds of sustainability, nudging neighborhoods to choose eco-loving play spaces.
### Educates and Informs
Ever wondered what makes a slide super fun? Or a swing simply splendid? PlaygroundFind.com doubles as a playbook, dishing out insights on the best features and designs for communities dreaming of creating the next play paradise.
In the heart of it all, PlaygroundFind.com stands tall as a comprehensive, user-friendly hub. It’s not just about finding the next play spot; it’s about connecting, sharing, and elevating playtimes for children across the globe. 
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We are PlaygroundFind.com, the ultimate online destination for finding the best playgrounds near you. We are passionate about providing a fun and easy way for parents, kids, and anyone who loves to play to discover new and exciting places to have a blast. Whether you are looking for a playground with slides, swings, climbing structures, water features, or anything else, we have you covered. You can search by location, rating, amenities, or keywords to find the perfect playground for your needs. You can also read reviews from other users, share your own experiences, and upload photos of your favorite playgrounds. We are more than just a website, we are a community of play enthusiasts who want to spread the joy of playing.
We started PlaygroundFind.com in 2012 as a small project by a dad and his son who loved to explore new playgrounds with their kids. We realized that there was no easy way to find out what playgrounds were nearby, what they offered, and what other people thought of them. We decided to create a website that would solve this problem and help other parents and kids find the best playgrounds in their area. We launched our website in 2014 and received an overwhelming response from our users. We were thrilled to see how many people appreciated our service and how much they enjoyed using it.
Our journey was not always smooth. We faced many challenges along the way, such as finding reliable sources of information, designing a user-friendly interface, managing our budget, and marketing our website. We overcame these challenges by working hard, learning from our mistakes, seeking feedback from our users, and collaborating with other professionals. We also had a lot of fun and made many new friends in the process.
Some of the lessons we learned along the way are:
Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different ideas.
Listen to your users and value their opinions.
Be flexible and adaptable to changing situations.
Keep your vision clear and your goals realistic.
Have fun and enjoy what you do.
We are proud of what we have achieved so far and excited about what lies ahead. We are constantly working to improve our website and add new features and content. We also plan to expand our coverage to more locations and countries in the future. We want the world to know that we are not just a website, but a movement. We want to inspire people to play more, explore more, and connect more. We believe that playing is not only good for your health, but also for your happiness. We invite you to join us on our mission to make the world a more playful place. 😊
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a week to show my best friend around the area, I would definitely take them to some of the most fun and exciting places. Here’s what I would do:
– Day 1: We would start with a visit to Disney Land, the happiest place on earth. We would ride all the classic attractions, like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It’s a Small World. We would also meet some of the characters, like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Buzz Lightyear. We would end the day enjoying the rides and exhibits of Star Wars Land and close with a spectacular fireworks show over the castle.
– Day 2: We would continue our theme park adventure with a trip to Universal Studios, where we would experience the magic of movies. We would go on thrilling rides, like Jurassic World, The Mummy, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. We would also explore the studio tour, where we would see behind-the-scenes of some famous films and shows, like the classic Psycho and the modern Fast and Furious. We would end the day with a visit to CityWalk, where we would enjoy some live music and entertainment.
– Day 3: We would take a break from the crowds and head to Manhattan Beach, a hidden gem for surfing enthusiasts. We would rent some boards and catch some waves, and relax on the sand to soak up the sun. We would also check out the pier, where we would see some marine life and enjoy the views. We would end the day in El Segundo with a visit to Shake Shack, where we would treat ourselves to some mouthwatering burgers and shakes. Right next door is Tender Greens where we can balance our burger plates with some fresh and crispy vegetables.
– Day 4: We would explore the cultural side of the area with a visit to some of the museums and galleries. We would start with the Getty Center, where we would admire some of the finest art and architecture in the world. We would also visit the Griffith Observatory, where we would learn about astronomy and see the stars. We would end the day with a hike to the Hollywood sign, where we would take some selfies and enjoy the sunset.
– Day 5: Playgrounds
– Day 6: We would cater to our vegetarian side with a visit to Tender Greens, where we would savor some fresh and organic salads, soups, and sandwiches. We would also visit some of the farmers markets, where we would sample some local produce and products. We would end the day with a visit to The Last Bookstore, where we would browse some of the most unique and eclectic books and records in town.
– Day 7: We would wrap up our week with a relaxing day at one of the spas or wellness centers in town. We would pamper ourselves with some massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. We would also try some yoga or meditation classes, where we would unwind and rejuvenate our minds and bodies. We would end the day with a toast to our friendship and our amazing trip.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every slide, swing, and seesaw comes alive through the voices of our incredible contributors! A heartfelt thank you to the families, architects, municipalities, family fun centers, and local businesses that infuse our platform with insights, recommendations, and the spirit of play. Your invaluable contributions transform PlaygroundFind.com into a vibrant, global community, championing the joy and importance of outdoor play for children everywhere.
Here are some notable contributors:
Earthscape (Global)
Slide Loving Family (European Traveler)
Kinsolplay (British Columbia)
cph_mom (Copenhagen)
MONSTRUM (Europe)
Waterplay (North America)
sik-holz (Germany)
100architects (Asia)
tollerei (Germany)
Hip Park (Ukraine)
Most importantly, at the heart of PlaygroundFind.com’s genesis is a special individual whose enthusiasm and vision truly laid the foundation for everything we’ve built: my son. His unwavering passion for playgrounds, the vibrant communities that thrive around them, and his heartfelt desire to embark on this project were the driving forces behind this platform. To him, I owe the deepest gratitude. Without his spark of inspiration and genuine love for the world of play, PlaygroundFind.com would have remained a dream. Thank you, my dear son, for being the guiding light on this incredible journey.
Website: https://playgroundfind.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playgroundfind/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlayGroundFind
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayGroundFind/
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
