Steve Strachan - Founder
You could say that Steve's love of surfing is what eventually led to the founding of Central Coast Playgrounds. Steve started surfing in Hawaii as a young teenager and quickly fell in love with riding the waves. Because of his love of surfing, Steve spent time living in Mexico, Hawaii and Australia in his late teens and early twenties. Once returning from his travels, Steve set his sights on becoming a park ranger because it would allow him free time to be near the beach as well as to surf. In 1983, Steve joined the CA State and Santa Barbara County Parks as a seasonal park ranger for six area parks. Being a seasonal employee allowed Steve a lot of time to pursue his passion, but it was his overachieving attitude that led him to grow within the parks system.
In 1986, after a few years of being offered various parks, Steve was finally offered a position he couldn't refuse (because it would lead him back to the beach). He started Lake Cachuma as a FT ranger and within a year moved to Jalama to head the park. In 1993, Steve became the park manager, renovating Jalama Campground to make it the most beautiful beach campground in the county within just a short time, by adding new trees and signs, as well as renovating the bathrooms. It was his hard working attitude and eye for design, that led Steve to becoming the Supervising Park Ranger for multiple parks. While in that position Steve moved to North County and was soon offered an opportunity to become a Certified Playground Safety Inspector for North Santa Barbara County Parks. Steve jumped on the opportunity, always wanting to do what we could to further his knowledge and career.
During one of his courses, Steve couldn't believe what he was hearing (and that no one else had picked up on the business idea they gave him). The instructors were talking about all of the outdated (non-compliant) playgrounds and all that Steve could think of was that he had just been handed the best idea ever...to start a playground company! The idea for Central Coast Playgrounds was born in Steve's mind that day. At that point, he did everything he could to learn more about playgrounds and their construction, spending the next couple of years replacing playgrounds in various county parks and then started working on other projects. Between 1998 - 2000 he worked on 25 different parks.
Finally, on January 1, 2000 Central Coast Playgrounds officially opened it's doors for business. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA was Central Coast Playgrounds' first client with his fledgling business. Although the business was a part time venture for Steve at first, it quickly become FT do to the top quality work and product, as well as Steve's professionalism. His motto is, "Perfect just isn't good enough". He always wants the quality of Central Coast Playgrounds' work to be superior in every aspect. Steve earned his first contractor's license in 2000, and in 2001 he had enough business in his spare time to make Central Coast Playgrounds a full-time venture, permanently resigned from the North County Parks System.
Over the last 19 years, Central Coast Playgrounds has grown exponentially because of it's competitive pricing, lifetime guarantee, exceptional workmanship and professionalism; having served hundreds of home builders/HOA's, County and States Parks, as well as various municipalities, schools, churches, daycare centers and various other clients. Steve and his employees are here to serve all of your outdoor play and recreation needs!
In 1986, after a few years of being offered various parks, Steve was finally offered a position he couldn't refuse (because it would lead him back to the beach). He started Lake Cachuma as a FT ranger and within a year moved to Jalama to head the park. In 1993, Steve became the park manager, renovating Jalama Campground to make it the most beautiful beach campground in the county within just a short time, by adding new trees and signs, as well as renovating the bathrooms. It was his hard working attitude and eye for design, that led Steve to becoming the Supervising Park Ranger for multiple parks. While in that position Steve moved to North County and was soon offered an opportunity to become a Certified Playground Safety Inspector for North Santa Barbara County Parks. Steve jumped on the opportunity, always wanting to do what we could to further his knowledge and career.
During one of his courses, Steve couldn't believe what he was hearing (and that no one else had picked up on the business idea they gave him). The instructors were talking about all of the outdated (non-compliant) playgrounds and all that Steve could think of was that he had just been handed the best idea ever...to start a playground company! The idea for Central Coast Playgrounds was born in Steve's mind that day. At that point, he did everything he could to learn more about playgrounds and their construction, spending the next couple of years replacing playgrounds in various county parks and then started working on other projects. Between 1998 - 2000 he worked on 25 different parks.
Finally, on January 1, 2000 Central Coast Playgrounds officially opened it's doors for business. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA was Central Coast Playgrounds' first client with his fledgling business. Although the business was a part time venture for Steve at first, it quickly become FT do to the top quality work and product, as well as Steve's professionalism. His motto is, "Perfect just isn't good enough". He always wants the quality of Central Coast Playgrounds' work to be superior in every aspect. Steve earned his first contractor's license in 2000, and in 2001 he had enough business in his spare time to make Central Coast Playgrounds a full-time venture, permanently resigned from the North County Parks System.
Over the last 19 years, Central Coast Playgrounds has grown exponentially because of it's competitive pricing, lifetime guarantee, exceptional workmanship and professionalism; having served hundreds of home builders/HOA's, County and States Parks, as well as various municipalities, schools, churches, daycare centers and various other clients. Steve and his employees are here to serve all of your outdoor play and recreation needs!

Steve is also the Synthetic Turf International rep for the Central Coast, so he and his team can not only help you with all of your playground, but also all of your artificial turf, needs.
See our SERVICES for more information or CONTACT US today!
See our SERVICES for more information or CONTACT US today!