A Legacy of Helping
People Enjoy Outside
To a child, recess is more than a time of day. It’s a place. A place to energize the soul.
Reviving the foundational connection that we all share with the great outdoors is the primary mission of Natural Impressions Outdoor Play. This is done through the creation of spectacular outdoor environments crafted with abundant use of natural materials. Playscapes and landscapes should be beautiful to look and fun to experience. The closer they are to nature, the more they invite an appreciation of our ecosystem. We take pride in our work and the motives behind it. A passionate and creative team make it possible to achieve these objectives for our clients and the stakeholders they represent.
Exceeding expectations through a love of what we do
Les Mennie
Leslie Mennie holds a Master of Arts from Regent College and a certificate of Residential Landscape Design from the University of British Columbia. Working on the family farm, he learned the value of hard work, appreciation for nature, and how to find creative solutions for unique challenges. He brings 15 years+ of experience to the natural playground industry. He has worked on such notable projects as the transformation of the site of St. Michael’s residential school into an amazing 50 foot round sandbox play area with a custom log tangle. He was also the landscaper for the “Story on the Landscape interactive exhibit” at the Batoche National historic site. He enjoys going to classical concerts with his wife, or spending time outdoors with their two boys and labradoodle. He loves pretty much anything to do with the outdoors, including mountain biking, rock climbing, kiteboarding, the backcountry, and hiking. Les thoroughly enjoys the planning process with his clients. He loves connecting with clients, creating a personalized and detailed plan and fulfilling the design.
Stacey Mennie
Stacey is a creative and enthusiastic partner to Les Mennie. Together they form a vibrant and detailed team. Stacey is a professional musician and a french educator with the Richmond School District. She has performed with numerous orchestras in Western Canada and adjudicated at several festivals. After managing a music studio for 20 years, she pursued a bachelor of education at UBC and graduated with several awards, including: Outstanding Practicum, Outstanding Field Experience (a project sewing masks for the downtown eastside during the pandemic), and the Donald & Ellen Poulter Scholarship which recognizes achievement in the Faculty of Education. In her down time, Stacey pursues a variety of creative hobbies, spending time in nature and continuing her education through professional development. Her greatest joys include her two sons and a goofy labradoodle.
Totally impressed with the result
For Architects
We work closely with architects through a deep understanding of design issues and production requirements. Support extends to helping you navigate the supply chain challenges.
For Schools
Natural environments support your desire to show sustainable responsibility to your constituents, provide long-lasting solutions, and help children connect more closely to an appreciation of nature.
For Corporations
Progressive companies understand the value of supporting their staff with quality child care facilities. These environments show social responsibility as they enhance your level of support resources.
A 20-year legacy of excellence
Les and Stacey have been designing and crafting extraordinary outdoor spaces for play and relaxation for more than 20 years. Moving from Saskatchewan to British Columbia has provided an abundance of new creative possibilities. West coast cedar is a terrific material that lends itself to so many approaches, from natural wood gazebos to log structures and seating areas that immerse you in the environment around you. Get in touch today to see how we can support your vision.
“Les showed a genuine interest in the project, and cared about even the smallest design details. That made it an enjoyable process.”
Neda RoohniaLandscape Designer
