A New Era of Playgrounds

Playgrounds today are a far cry from the hot metal slides and splintery wooden structures of the past. Modern playgrounds are safer, brighter, and often feature striking design elements—like the giant perforated leaves mounted high above the play area.

If you’ve ever looked up and wondered, “What are those things?”—you’re not alone. Let’s explore the story behind these curious installations, known as Solis Hue Toppers.

First Impressions

At first glance, Solis Hue Toppers can be baffling. They resemble oversized paddleball rackets or abstract tree leaves, perched too high for children to reach. Are they part of a secret game for 50-foot-tall kids? Or maybe a rogue art installation by a conceptual artist? Many visitors stare, puzzled, waiting for the answer.

What Are Solis Hue Toppers?

Despite their mysterious appearance, Solis Hue Toppers are intentional, functional, and fully playground-approved. Designed by the long-standing playground company BCI Burke, they serve both aesthetic and practical purposes.

The custom leaf shapes and perforations evoke the feeling of nature. They don’t just sit there—they interact with sunlight, casting dynamic patterns of light and shadow across the playground. Morning or late afternoon sun brings these patterns to life, creating a shifting, almost magical visual experience for children below.

Form Meets Function

Traditional playgrounds focused purely on physical activity: monkey bars, see-saws, and spinning merry-go-rounds. Today, design aims to engage the senses, spark imagination, and enhance the overall experience.

Solis Hue Toppers turn a climbing frame into a forest canopy or a fantastical alien world. While they don’t provide climbing or sliding, they enrich the playground environment, subtly inspiring wonder and curiosity. Children may not consciously notice them, but the dappled light and sense of being under a leafy canopy leaves a lasting impression.

Sparking Nostalgia and Imagination

These structures also evoke nostalgia for adults. They remind us of childhood creativity—turning jungle gyms into pirate ships or slides into dragons’ tongues. Solis Hue Toppers encourage that same imaginative play in a new form.

Though they are a modern addition, the sense of wonder they inspire is timeless, blending visual art, nature, and play in one subtle, delightful package.