What is a Climbing Structure?
Because climbing structures are a fairly new invention, we find that people can be confused about what a climbing structure is. Some might picture a fancy playground; others might imagine a climbing wall or a high-ropes course. But climbing structures are in a different category altogether.
A “climbing structure,” also called a “climbing sculpture” or “climber,” is a freestanding structural volume filled with platforms, ladders, cargo nets, inclined planes, and other obstacles that people can inhabit and navigate. Let’s consider what makes a climbing structure different from traditional climbing venues.
A climbing structure is not a climbing wall.
A climbing wall is a tall, pillar-like structure, often several stories high, with irregular surfaces designed to simulate cliff-like conditions. Participants attempt to scale these walls from bottom to top, practicing rock climbing in a convenient venue year-round. Due to their open climbing faces and significant height, climbing walls involve the risk of dangerous falls. For safety, climbers wear harnesses connected to climbing ropes, which prevent them from falling to the ground if they lose their grip.
A climbing structure, in contrast, reverses the arrangement of a climbing wall. Instead of climbing on an exposed exterior, participants move within an enclosed structure, protected from falling out. Platforms and obstacles are positioned to prevent high falls, with most drops limited to around 40 inches — no more hazardous than falling out of a chair. Without the risk of high falls, climbing structures don’t require harnesses or safety lines, which allows participants to roam freely and explore.
A climbing structure is also different from a high-ropes course.
Ropes courses feature ziplines, suspension bridges, tightropes, spider-web nets, and other climbing challenges typically elevated high above the ground and supported by trees or towers. A ropes course is a sequential obstacle course where participants move through each challenge in order, often racing to complete it as quickly as possible.
In contrast, a climbing structure is more like a three-dimensional labyrinth. Unlike the linear progression of a ropes course, a climbing structure offers an open-ended exploration. Participants choose their routes, follow their curiosity, and try to find their way through. Climbing structures emphasize the immersive environment of climbing rather than focusing on the apparatus itself.
A climbing structure is not playground equipment, either.
Playgrounds offer fairly small pieces of equipment, such as swings, wobbly bridges, monkey bars, and teeter-totters. Since these elements can be climbed on inside and out, they must stay low to the ground to prevent high falls.
By contrast, a climbing structure can rise a hundred feet into the sky, embracing the excitement of dizzy altitudes and expansive views. While playground equipment can feel mundane in its smallness – not far removed from climbing on household furniture – a climbing structure can provide a monumental experience. These structures create a transformative encounter that challenges people to tap into their courage and sense of adventure.
The number of climbing structures is growing.
While most climbing structures are currently found at children’s museums, these structures appeal to people of all ages — after all, there are deep evolutionary reasons why people love to climb.
Climbing structures are beginning to appear in various venues, from public parks to libraries, and from resorts to community centers. Safe even for young children, without the need for harnesses or safety lines, climbing structures encourage curiosity and exploration. They deliver a thrilling, memorable experience far beyond what’s possible at a traditional playground. They vary widely in size and shape, and they can be located indoors or outdoors.
With these distinctive features and flexibility, climbing structures offer a new landscape of possibilities for venues looking for a showcase experience for the whole family.
