Gorilla Playsets other playground equipment

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Jan 15, 2026 · , sent to the company Feb 11, 2026 · , published by CPSC Feb 26, 2026

   The product, in the report: Brand Gorilla Playsets Color Brown Dimensions: W x D x H 14.5 ft. x 12.5 ft. x 10.5 ft. Features Rock Wall Features Slides Features Swings Model 2460 Number of Climbing Structures 1 Number of Play Decks 2 Number of Slides 2 Number of Swings 2 Online Only Online Only Primary Material Wood Slide Length 6.25 ft. Weight 374 pounds Stakes - 11.5 inches long (plastic)

   This is in regards to Gorilla Playset Model 2460. On December 19, 2025, during wind gusts, the swing set was lifted and completely toppled over. The 6 ground stakes provided were only approximately 11.5 inches in length, which is wholly inadequate given the height (10.5 feet) and weight (374 lbs.) of the structure. It is unsurprising that the swing set failed under these conditions, as a product of this size requires substantially deeper anchoring to remain stable and safe, and neither Gorilla Playsets or Costco inquire about the environmental surroundings to make any recommendations, nor did the company who professionally installed the playset propose longer stakes. Regardless, this playset should not be sold with short stakes, and proper stakes should be included. The swing set was professionally installed at an additional cost and had been in place for only seven months at the time of the incident. Despite this, it failed catastrophically. This is not a result of improper installation or misuse, but rather a fundamental design and safety flaw. Had my son been using the swing set when it fell, the outcome could have been catastrophic, including the possibility of severe injury or death. Why the included stakes are inadequate 1. Wind creates uplift and overturning forces, not just sliding o A 10.5-ft structure presents a large sail area. o Wind doesnt just push sidewaysit can lift the structure and rotate it around the legs. o Weight alone (374 lb.) does not counteract these overturning forces. 2. Stake depth is too shallow o At 11.5 inches, stakes are typically anchored only in the topsoil. o In wind events, topsoil provides limited pull-out resistance, especially if the ground is wet, sandy, or recently disturbed (as it would be after installation). 3. Stake type matters o Short straight stakes (plastic or light metal) rely mostly on friction. o They are not engineered anchors and lack helical blades or concrete footings that resist uplift. 4. Six attachment points does not equal six load-bearing anchors o During gusts, only 23 legs may be resisting most of the force at any moment. o Once one stake loosens, load transfers to the others, leading to progressive failure. 5. High winds exceed normal use assumptions o Playset ground stakes are typically intended to reduce movement during playnot to secure the structure against gusts capable of lifting or tipping large objects. What is typically required for wind resistance For a structure of this size in windy areas, accepted solutions usually include: Concrete footings below frost line, or Helical auger anchors (2436 inches deep or more), or Manufacturer-specified wind anchoring systems, if rated for such conditions Bottom line From a basic physics and safety standpoint: Six 11.5-inch stakes are not a robust or wind-rated anchoring system Toppling in strong gusts is foreseeable, especially for a tall, top-heavy structure This is consistent with why similar outdoor structures (playsets, sheds, trampolines) are commonly over-anchored, not minimally staked Engineering-Based Safety Assessment The swing set is approximately 10.5 feet tall with an assembled mass of about 374 pounds. The structure is stabilized using six ground stakes approximately 11.5 inches in length, driven into surface soil. This anchoring method provides limited resistance to uplift and overturning forces. From an engineering standpoint, the structure of this height presents a large wind-exposed surface area. Wind loading generates both lateral forces and overturning moments at the base of the structure. The primary failure mode in such conditions is not sliding, but rotation about the base of the legs caused by uplift on the windward side and downward force on the leeward side. Shallow ground stakes embedded in topsoil are not designed to resist these forces. Their pull-out resistance is low, particularly in disturbed soil or during wet conditions, which are foreseeable in outdoor installations. Once one or more anchors begin to loosen, load redistribution occurs, increasing stress on the remaining anchors and leading to progressive failure and eventual tip-over. The weight of the structure alone does not provide adequate stabilizing moment to counteract wind-induced overturning forces. In engineering practice, structures of similar height and mass typically require deeper anchoring systemssuch as concrete footings below grade or helical anchors with sufficient embedment depthto provide reliable resistance to uplift and moment forces. The observed failure under wind conditions demonstrates that the provided anchoring system is not appropriately matched to the size, height, and expected environmental exposure of the product. This represents a foreseeable design deficiency rather than misuse or abnormal conditions. If a child were present at the time of failure, the tipping of a 374-pound structure from this height presents a significant risk of severe injury or fatality due to impact or crushing forces.

   Model

   Gorilla Playsets Model 2460

   Bought from

   www.costco.com

   Bought

   Aug 1, 2025

   Where

   Barrington, Rhode Island: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Gorilla Playsets, made or sold by PLAYNATION PLAY SYSTEMS, INC.

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources