The brothers Prins, Andrew and Ben, are experts in creative, active play. Throughout their childhood, there was a strict ‘no tv’ rule in the Prins household. This meant brothers Andrew and Ben were left to their own devices for entertainment. As a result, resourceful solutions were implemented in the absence of an outdoor playground. Creativity knew no limits when it came to makeshift playground equipment: from building a zipline across the driveway, rolling down a hill together in a single wooden barrel, or dismantling a VW bug to push each other around the yard; these creative play solutions were the inception of many future playground structures that led to the birth of Active Playground Equipment as it stands today.
In 1982, elder brother Ben co-owned a local fence & deck company in Sarnia-Lambton when recurring requests for outdoor play structures began to emerge; clients were looking for creative designs and installation of commercial play equipment for their children and grandchildren. Never one to back down from an exciting challenge, a playground division was born.
The introduction of the first CSA playground guidelines in the 1990’s brought an onslaught of enquires from commercial clients for compliant commercial outdoor playground equipment. What was once a small division developed into a thriving business all its own. Incorporated in 1993, Active Playground Equipment brought the Prins boys back to their days of active play and adventure in the great outdoors. Moving to a larger facility in 2006, with brother Andrew at the helm as General Manger, allowed Active Playground the opportunity to serve clients nation-wide.
The close of 2019 marked another milestone in Active Playground’s history; founder, and elder Prins brother, Ben stepped into retirement, allowing him more time for active play with his grandchildren. Ben’s retirement leaves brother Andrew at the helm; with a strong team behind him, Andrew is eager to lead the charge into a new chapter in APE’S history. A chapter in which Active Playground will continually strive to help children build their own childhood memories full of imagination, adventure and active play.
The APE team takes pride in not only the quality commercial playground equipment produced, but in empowering children, building confidence, promoting healthy, active play and strengthening communities across the nation.
Andrew Prins and Family
Ben Prins and Family