2023 Habitat Systems Business Profile

Business Profile

WHO WE ARE

In 1996, founding partners Jeff and Mark Bodie sought a way to create better play experiences for their own children and communities. Jeff and Mark began building their company and brand by seeking a play equipment manufacturer that aligned with their values and expectations, ultimately partnering with Landscape Structures Inc. Their inclusive, innovative, and dependable playground equipment was the holistic solution that they wanted to offer to their clients. In order to provide a turnkey service, they established offerings of site furnishings, surfacing, and sports goals.

Over 25 years later, Habitat Systems Inc. has grown to be the largest provider of park, playground, and landscape equipment in

Western Canada. Principal Jeff Musson and Vice President Lisa Schmidt lead a team of 50, including in-house design, outside sales, inside sales, operations, construction services, and extensive support teams. We service Alberta, British Columbia, The Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon through our 5 offices in Western Canada – Burnaby, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Victoria.

Our product library has expanded to include waterparks, natural play spaces, shade and shelter, outdoor classrooms, and outdoor fitness solutions in addition to our core offerings of playgrounds, site furnishings, surfacing, and sports goals. We have worked with thousands of groups creating spaces for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

OUR VALUES

Habitat Systems has always nurtured the “why” within our organization. Why parks and playgrounds? Why does our work matter?

A child that uses a wheelchair getting to play on the playground with their friends for the first time — a parent with a chronic condition able to stay at the park for hours because there’s shade and a comfortable bench — trees being planted to offset the manufacturing process — these are what our employees tell us are their “whys”.

We firmly believe in the importance of designing for inclusivity, providing innovative solutions that stand the test of time, and treating our environment in a sustainable way so that we’re providing support for the children and communities of the future as well as the present.

LEADING INCLUSIVITY

Landscape Structures

We work alongside Landscape Structures, pioneers in inclusive play, to provide our clients with innovative, lasting playground equipment. Their Inclusive Play Advisory Board consists of certified experts in the field of inclusive play, making every component a product of meticulous research. The board’s members include persons with disabilities, making sure the playgrounds are designed with the disability community, not just for them.

Beyond Accessibility

An inclusive playground is so much more than wheelchair ramps and accessible surfacing. We believe in the need to go beyond accessibility and design playgrounds that are inclusive to everyone. A truly inclusive playground will not only meet the needs of children using a mobility device but will also provide a welcoming environment for children with sensory processing disorders, autism, down syndrome, and children with sight or hearing impairments.

Education and Events

The knowledge surrounding inclusive design is constantly growing, and Habitat stays on the forefront of emerging research and trends in playspace design. Our staff attends numerous sessions in the year with inclusive play leaders to keep our knowledge sharp and current.

In addition, we host several sessions each year for our clients to learn from the members of Landscape Structures Inclusive Play Advisory Board and other inclusive certified experts.

Beyond Playgrounds

We’re committed to making outdoor spaces that serve every member of the community, and that mission goes beyond the playground. Habitat provides all the amenities to make an inclusive outdoor space, like inclusive waterparks, accessible MUGA (multi-use gaming area) courts, accessible park paths and boardwalks, tables and benches designed with wheelchair users in mind, and outdoor fitness circuits for everyone.

INCLUSIVE ADVISORS

Kanics Inclusive Design Services

Occupation Therapist

Landscape Structures Inc.

Inclusive Play Specialist,

2015 Team USA Athlete

Jill Moore

Ingrid Kanics

National AccessAbility Week

Habitat Systems is committed to providing continuing education experiences for the people responsible for creating outdoor spaces. Each year, we proudly participate in National AccessAbility week by facilitating numerous learning opportunities hosted by certified inclusive play experts throughout the week.

Some past topics of learning include designing playgrounds with sensory needs in mind, how to design an inclusive waterpark, creating multi-generational spaces, innovations in inclusive playspace design, and creating accessible park pathways. Part of our events for this week also include playground tours, where participants can tour the parks that feature the top inclusive playgrounds in BC and Alberta with Landscape Structures’ Inclusive Play Advisory team members. This gives participants a chance to ask all the questions they have about how these spaces came to be, and to hear the background of what makes the playground successful.

We’re lucky to have had the opportunity to be joined by hundreds of attendees during these events, and we’re committed to providing new and exciting information each year.

OUR SERVICES

Planning And Design

We provide our clients with CAD drawings, 3D renderings, site visits, custom and themed design recommendations, Lunch and Learns, continuing education seminars, and detailed presentations to communities and stakeholders. Our in-house design team creates plans that are bespoke to the community that will utilize them. We are able to create multiple options and iterations based on client feedback.

Funding Support

Our marketing team has resources to raise awareness and assist in fundraising for projects. We research grant opportunities that our clients can apply for, and offer assistance with grant application submissions. We also offer in-house customized funding support materials including items such as pledge sheets, thermometers that measure funds raised, and posters advertising fundraising goals. These materials are custom designed for each group by our in-house graphic designer.

Project Management And Construction

We offer both full installation and community volunteer installations to our clients. Our skilled construction teams are certified installers and have completed applicable safety and industry specific courses such as the CPSI (Canadian Playground Safety Institute) course. We have SECOR in Alberta and hold monthly safety meetings at our BC office.

Grand Openings, Post-Sales Support, and Inspections

We offer grand opening services that include custom e-invitations, posters, Habitat team members on site, and even giant scissors to cut the red ribbon across the new playground. We offer inspection services to past clients to ensure that our systems are performing to our high standards, and our Logistics Department has all the parts and people to organize a timely repair to keep kids playing.

WHAT SETS US APART

Experience

We apply 250+ collective years of experience across our team to every project, no matter the size. Our clients expect the highest level of service, and we deliver on their expectations at each interaction, project after project, year over year.

Operational Capabilities

We maintain a fully staffed operations and project management department. This ensures that projects are completed in the prescribed timeline and with attention to detail. We have a track record of delivering the best project management, logistics, construction, and service.

Fabrication Abilities

The manufacturing of our Natural Play line is done in-house and in a controlled environment, meaning we can manage and oversee these types of projects from start to finish. This allows for collaboration, innovation, and quality assurance.

Parts Program

Our dedicated Logistics Department ensures that warranty claims and replacements are handled promptly. Small items, such as bolts or swing seats, are stocked continuously at our warehouses and available for next day delivery.

Scheduling and Construction

Our Operations team ensure product quality and a timely construction. Our Installation Crew members are safety trained and industry certified, and we are fully insured and equipped with excavating machinery, hydraulic augers, and material hauling equipment.

Local Support

Habitat Systems has five office locations spanning the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Habitat has our own in-house installation team in addition to a pool of long-standing sub-contractor installers who we have had relationships with for many years.

PRODUCTS

Our goal is to provide customers with all the things that make parks and streetscapes functional and accessible in one place. We take great care to align ourselves with organizations that reflect the values that we have established for ourselves.

Landscape Structures

Playground Equipment

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

SAFETY SURFACING

NATURAL PLAY SPACES

OUTDOOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT

SITE FURNISHINGS BIKE PARKING

WATER PARKS SPORTS GOALS

PROJECTS

With over 10,000 projects in the ground, there are countless images to show the impact we’ve had on outdoor spaces in Western Canada. Here is a collection of some of our favourites.

New in 2023 - Tuxedo Park - Calgary, AB

Clareview Park is one of 6 inclusive playgrounds Habitat has completed with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

Clareview Park - Edmonton, AB

Ash Park - Vancouver, BC

Livingston HOA Park - Calgary, AB

Maffeo Sutton Park - Nanaimo, BC

Victoria Courthouse Playground - Victoria, BC

TESTIMONIALS

“From the moment we met with the sales rep from Habitat (Nadine Harris), we knew they were the company for Blessed Marie-Rose School of the Calgary Catholic School District. The presentation regarding their product and services was outstanding. Their product is created with the children in mind that will use the equipment – providing them with a fun, challenging and safe play center. In the end, you get what you pay for and I know that the system we have is top notch. The installation team was outstanding, personable and had

safety at the forefront of their work. Anytime we had questions Nadine and or the installation team would get back to us within 24 hours. They met or exceeded all of the district’s guidelines related to playground construction. When we had a second project with bench installation – the service was matched and exceeded. Thank you Habitat Systems for the play structure that brings much happiness and joy for our school community and Sherwood community at large.”

Tony DalCin Blessed Marie-Rose School

“Habitat was very responsive and worked hard to meet our specific needs. Dates for installation were reasonable and were met as were any suggestions regarding modifications during and after the installation process. Would definitely use them again.”

“Habitat was involved in our playground build as part of the BCAA Play Here Contest. Their staff was so helpful and knowledgeable in the planning process, coordinated delivery of our playground, and assisted with the community build as well....Two years later, our school and community are still thrilled to play on this equipment daily.”

Bruce Tisdale School District 19

“The customer service was top notch — any question/concern was answered right away and help with the entire playground process (from applications to install) was always forthcoming and thorough. The actual playground is clearly made from quality materials and the install went very smoothly. My experience with Habitat was wonderful.”

Catherine Zaitsoff

“I am really happy with the products’ design and innovation. Habitat has taken great steps to design exciting products that can stand up to other offerings. They have an awesome staff that is very professional with very concerned installers. I am very pleased with Habitat and will continue to support them.”

Castlegar Primary School

Jeff Graham

City of Surrey

Rebecca Cain

Marion Schilling Elementary School

“Jeff and his team, including Phil Milton, the carpenter who creates magic, were always available for us, and made it easy to communicate changes…You can see it in the children’s faces and hear it in their laughter and conversation. We are over the moon. The process and the product couldn’t be more perfect.”

Janet Weil

“Working with Habitat Systems was such a pleasure. They were fantastic at really listening to our needs and wants while still appreciating our budget and space constraints, and designing and building the perfect space to meet our program needs. From start to finish the customer service and end product were exactly what we wanted, and done on time.”

Lisa Stiver

“I have found Habitat to have great service in dealing with one of our community groups, and with me at the Municipal level. I am extremely happy with the variety that is offered through Habitat… they really stepped up to the plate and created a very unique structure.”

Adam Brown

“Thank you so very much for the ease with which this all came together. It was a joy to work with you...The structures themselves are esthetically beautiful, and the workmanship that went into their installation, the pour-in-place surfacing (quite magical!), and the curbing was extraordinary. We wish we could do this again!”

Rhonda L. Nelson

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

YMCA of Greater Vancouver

Starbright Children’s Development Centre

Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC

“We were very happy in dealing with Habitat Systems for the design, implementation, and installation of our new playground equipment in our community. The budget was met, the product successfully installed, and all the while a high level of service was given by Habitat. As a community we look forward to using it for many years to come!”

Danny Tourville

Tzeachten First Nation

AFFILIATIONS

In Habitat’s 25 years in business, organizations like Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre, Variety Children’s Park, Starbright Children’s Centre, Kiwanis, Science World, the Vancouver Canucks, and hundreds of schools and municipalities have chosen Habitat.

Vancouver Canucks - Edmonds School

+ AWARDS CERTIFICATIONS

OUR TEAM

Lisa Schmidt Vice President

Jeff Musson Principal

Business Development Manager - BC

Business Development Manager - Alberta

Business Development Manager - BC

Business Development Manager - BC

Business Development Manager - BC

Business Development Manager - Alberta

Business Development Manager - BC

Business Development Manager - BC

Dave Warner

Nadine Harris Steve Doyle Brad Neufeld

Adam Walsh Jeff Desmarais Derek Laforest Barbara Frewin

Kassandra Lamando-Ohlsson Client Services

Sonya Wilson Client Services

Sylvia Renardy Client Services

Elena Bisognin Client Services

Brenda Wiebe Office Administrator

Phil Milton Natural Playground Designer

Arron Jackson Playground Designer

Brian Kerr

Manny Chutai

Lauren Mooney Project Manager Project Coordinator Marketing Coordinator and Events Planner

Bianca Creanga Finance Manager and HR Team

Camille Musson Graphic Design and IT Coordination

Ida Yip Accounting Assistant

Jagmeet Kaur Accounting Assistant

Colin Leslie Construction Manager

Sean O’Leary

Lead Hand Installer

Terence Strachan Lead Hand Installer

Paul Kuik

George Pantazis Christian Letsos

Lead Hand Installer Shop Foreman Natural Playground Carpenter

Burnaby

Calgary

Edmonton

Kelowna

Victoria

habitat-systems.com

info@habitat-systems.com

1.866.422.4828