About Us

OUR STORY


Mission: Enhance community life by providing superior recreational products.

Vision: Connecting communities through recreation.

RecWest Outdoor Products, Inc. was founded in Santa Monica, CA in 1992 by Michael Bennett. Over the past several decades our focus has always been on connecting communities through recreation. From preliminary design through the life of the product, we assist our clients in every step of the process to ensure their dreams are fulfilled. RecWest provides turn-key services which include: professional on-site consultation, design, project management, logistics and installation, as well as superb life-long customer care.

OUR TEAM


Michael J. Bennett

Michael J. Bennett

President


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Mike has owned and operated RecWest since its inception in 1993 after Steve and Barb King selected him to exclusively represent Landscape Structures in South Central California.

Prior to starting RecWest, Mike was a commercial real estate broker for Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate in downtown Los Angeles for ten years.

He came to Los Angeles in 1977 when he was hired as the UCLA crew coach. He spent five seasons coaching UCLA crew and loved every minute of it.

Mike was born and raised in Berkeley and attended Cal. He was a member of Cal’s rowing team, earning three varsity letters on the heavyweight varsity crew. The Cal crew experience, and the friends he made on the team, have had a positive influence throughout his life.

Mike says that developing RecWest and representing Landscape Structures – and now DuMor site furnishings, Classic Recreation Shelters, SkyWays Fabric Shade Systems and Aquatix Splash Pads – has been a transformative and rewarding journey over the last thirty years.

“We have developed an exceptional staff and have a positive and committed group of sales consultants who love their work. We have long-standing, successful relationships with the best recreational contractors in southern California. We are privileged to work with leading Landscape Architects and directly with many government agencies developing and delivering world class products – the safest and highest quality on the market today – for over 2,000 playgrounds, spanning two generations of children. I feel very fortunate to be involved in this enterprise.’’

Mike is married to Sharon Bennett. Sharon inspired and supported Mike’s decision to start RecWest in 1993. Sharon is a naturalized US citizen, born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) She traveled the world, living in Rhodesia, Cape Town, Seychelle Islands and London before coming to the US in 1978. She is a published nature photographer and was involved in the early stages of computer graphic design.

Mike is a long suffering and irrationally optimistic mid-handicap golfer. He occasionally rides one of his vintage steel road bicycles and hikes often in the Santa Monica mountains. He is an avid catch-and-release fly angler.

Mike and Sharon have lived in Thousand Oaks Ca. since 1997.

Griselda Vargas

Griselda Vargas

Office Manager


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Griselda’s duties include customer service, assisting accounting and support all outside sales reps. She has been with RecWest for 18 years, coming from 15 years in Retail. She is excellent in assisting customers with almost all their requests, from parts to designing a full structure. When not at work, she enjoys crocheting and spending time with her grandkids.

Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson

Recreation Consultant CPSI


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Scott joined Recwest in December 2015, launching a career deeply rooted in recreation and community engagement. His journey began during his teenage years when he embraced various roles in the recreation field, including outdoor counselor, lifeguard, coach, and sports instructor. This diverse experience equipped him with a broad skill set and a deep understanding of the importance of recreation in people’s lives.

His passion for health and community has been present since a young age. Prior to Recwest, Scott served as a Territory Manager, working closely with schools and underserved communities to support their fundraising efforts, further highlighting his commitment to community well-being.

Outside of work, Scott finds joy in spending time with his wife and two children, cherishing the simple moments of family life. Spending time hiking and camping. Additionally, he expresses his creative side through painting and is dedicated to building a resilient body and mind.

The word “adaptation” has been a consistent theme in Scott’s life, shaping his approach to challenges and opportunities. With his full background in recreation, dedication to community health, and a passion for personal growth, Scott is a valuable asset to Recwest. He embodies the company’s mission of promoting active, healthy lifestyles and vibrant communities.

Nate Stutz

Nate Stutz

Recreation Consultant


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For the past seven years at RecWest Outdoor Products, Nate has helped municipalities, schools, landscape architects, and developers create dynamic and inclusive play spaces for communities across Central and Southern California. In addition to assisting with current projects, Nate aims to spread valuable information to his clients on topics such as inclusive play, playground safety, and the latest and greatest design trends in parks and playgrounds.

Prior to joining RecWest, Nate was an owner, director and curriculum developer for outdoor leadership, recreation and camp programs. He’s also completed a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and is a proud National Outdoor Leadership School Educator graduate.

Outside of helping his clients create their dream parks and playgrounds, Nate is an avid rock climber, outdoor adventurer, and photographer. The mountains and wilderness are his own personal playground, and an inspiration for his work!

Please contact Nate for all projects located Northern Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Kern Counties.“

Eric Lewis

Eric Lewis

Sales Consultant


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Eric works with clients and collaborators to bring life to visions of inclusive parks and innovative play spaces across LA County. With experience As a past president of one of the City of LA’s neighborhood councils, he is driven to build upon those years of volunteer service dedicated to neighborhood stewardship, stakeholder needs, and responsible community growth. Whether the project calls for a pocket park sized play area or a large destination shaded playground, Eric is ready to help get the job done on time and on budget.

Prior to joining the RecWest team, Eric was Senior Recording Mixer at a Studio City-based recording studio specializing in dialogue for animation, earning a Daytime Emmy® Award and ten total nominations. Away from work, Eric and his wife, Virginia, enjoy being with their three children as they navigate through school, extra-curriculars, and family time together.

Derrick Shima

Derrick Shima


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Derrick (AKA “DuMor Derrick”) specifically assists with the Dumor Site Furnishing product line for RecWest Outdoor Products across the five counties of San Luis Obispo, Kern, Santa Barbra, Ventura, and Los Angeles. With over 10 years of sales experience, he brings enthusiasm to his customer service, product knowledge, and is committed to hard work and honesty.

Derrick first met his wife working at McDonald’s at the age of 15 and is now blessed with two beautiful children. He is a CSUCI alumni that is family and community oriented, believing that the best time spent is with the people you love. Enjoys everything from ju-jitsu, softball, to bowling every week with his family. Always up for a challenge and is excited for what life brings next!

OUR PARTNERS


Dumor Site Furnishings
Surface America
CLASSIC RECREATION SYSTEMS
Landscape Structures
L.A. SteelCraft
Webcoat Coated Outdoor Furniture
Aquatix

CLIENTS & RECOGNITION


We are proud to build lifelong relationships while having the privilege of creating memories for thousands of communities throughout Southern California. Some of our fantastic clients include the County and City of Los Angeles, City of Pasadena, City of Long Beach, City of Santa Barbara, City of Bakersfield, LAUSD, Westfield Corporation and more. RecWest has helped create over 1700+ inspirational commercial parks and playgrounds. We look forward to providing thousands more.

TESTIMONIALS


“It is without hesitation and with the utmost confidence that I recommend the services of RecWest to anyone in the market for new playground equipment. Their professionalism and outstanding customer service is deeply appreciated and I look forward to working with them again in the near future”

-Bill Kearns, City of Norwalk, Director of Recreation and Park Services

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