Building the Backyard Fort Playground
April 1983

In October 1982, Chris, Jack, Matthew, and Craig wanted a play area in our backyard so that they would have something to play on when they came over on weekends and vacations. Jack drew what they wanted. I labeled the drawing with their descriptions. Their original plan took more than the entire backyard. Here it is.

 

During a couple of business trips to the left coast I had lots of time on the plane to refine it somewhat so that it would fit in the backyard. The final plan had two forts, each with a ladder entry. The two forts were connected by a suspension bridge (one ton load design) and monkey bars (can hold many monkeys). The north fort had a slide pole exit. The south fort had stairs. There was a chinning bar for short folks and a balance beam for balancing and beaming. We were not able to accommodate the slide, spider web, nor metal tunnel from the original plan (a design and space compromise).

Craig, Matthew, Jack, Chris, Rene' and I built it over spring break, April 1983. It is still in place today, shaded by many 40-foot tall pine trees and a live oak.

The following photos document our construction activities.

Hundreds of pounds of treated wood, many bolts and nails, yards of metal and nylon rope, and lots of pipe were used by this construction crew. From left to right: Jack, Craig, Chris, and Matthew.

 

Safety was our number one priority. All construction workers were given a hard hat. From left to right: Matthew, Jack, and Chris during the early construction of the north fort.

 

Here, Jack (where's your hard hat) and Chris were making adjustments to the north fort.

 

We finished the north fort first. From left to right: Murphy, Jack, Matthew, and Chris.

 

A closer view of the north fort after it was done. From left to right: Murphy, Jack, Matthew, and Chris.

 

After construction was done, Chris helped Craig test-drive the slide pole as Matthew, Jack, and Murphy looked on.

 

It was Matthew's turn (and then Jack's) to go down the slide pole. Craig was hurrying across the bridge for his next turn. Murphy was doing some minor adjustments to the bridge hand-ropes (which Cindy, our dog, later ate). And Chris was preparing to go up the stairs to the right for another pole slide.

 

Paul, standing, came over to check it out (he did not move in until 1986). And Christiana (from next door) came over too. Chris and Jack had not tired out yet.

 

And here it was (April 1983, left) with Jack on the pole, Paul wanting to be, Chris on the bridge, and Christiana running up
the stairs; and here it is (November 1997, right) shaded by tall trees and providing a covering for the dog house
 

On the south side of the fort playground is inscribed:
April 1983
Designed and Crafted by Craig, Matthew, Jack, Chris, Rene' and Murphy.

Last updated January 11, 1998, by Murphy.