Up on Play: Schools by Landscape Structures

Up on Play

Schools Issue 3

Netplex™ is what’s next in play.

Earlier this year, Landscape Structures introduced Netplex™, a new net-based playstructure designed to challenge students physically and cognitively by creating an experience completely different from those offered by typical playstructures. Climbing cables have been a popular playground material, and we’ve used them in many of our playstructures for more than 10 years. Now, using a patent-pending clamping system, Netplex enables us to take a seemingly unbroken length of cable from the inner core of the playstructure to the outer posts and all the way around. The design of Netplex is centered on one of two core climbers, which include latex-free rubber landings. These provide a destination within the structure and a nice spot for kids to hang out. We’ve also designed six new play components—bridges, climbers, spinners, overhead events and balancing components—that can be added to Netplex to create a truly unique play experience that accommodates lots of kids! And because Netplex is part of the PlayBooster® product line, it can be connected to new or existing

TightRopeTM Bridge

Boogie BoardTM

SwiggleKnotsTM Bridge

PlayBooster playstructures and components to extend the design, or it can be designed to stand on its own. Netplex offers students the challenge needed for healthy development into self-assured adults. Netplex designs help kids advance their balance, motor planning and strategic thinking skills while also providing the opportunity for graduated challenge—kids may stay low to the ground on more secure cables at first, and when they’ve mastered that they challenge themselves by going higher and engaging new muscles. Because of the design flexibility with Netplex, it can fit into many budgets. Netplex is configurable meaning that you can choose from a 7- or 14-post mainstructure. We offer options for roofs, and a variety of play components can be added to meet your schools’ space and/or budget requirements. Learn more about Netplex, and see it in action at playlsi.com/Netplex. Then contact your local Landscape Structures playground consultant to create a new Netplex design for your school playground.

WatermillTM Climber

LolliLadderTM

Sol SpinnerTM

Tactile play and childhood development Kids learn about their world and develop various abilities (such as motor skills) by playing. As they do so, they explore with their five senses. Playgrounds and toys can both be designed to support the developmental play that kids need. Tactile toys and equipment, for example, will aid children as they learn fine and gross motor skills. As adults, we often take our ability to zip jackets or tie shoes for granted, especially since we’re capable of more subtle hand-eye coordination tasks. But kids have to learn to make their bodies do what they want. Tactile toys support that growth by giving children a physical task. Using their hands to build a sand castle helps kids’ fine motor development, and climbing play equipment works gross motor skills. Feeling their way around the world helps children make mental connections and store memories. For example, after touching snow many times, kids will know it’s cold. This is part of the sensorimotor stage. Kids have to process the information they receive from their senses to create those memories and connections, an undertaking that builds cognitive skills. The more children use their senses to explore the world, the more they work their brain and fine tune their abilities. Learn more about the developmental needs to consider when designing playgrounds for toddlers and preschoolers in our infographic the Five Developmental Needs to Consider When Designing Early Childhood Playgrounds, and contact your local Landscape Structures playground consultant for ideas on how to incorporate these five key elements into your upcoming school playground projects.

GET INSPIRED! Have a tablet? Use it to get inspired with our Playground Inspirations digital app! The new app works together with our Playground Inspirations book to bring the designs to life with more than a thousand images, videos and 3Ds in an interactive experience. With our new products, bold signature design ideas and age-appropriate playground environments, you’ll be inspired to create a new play environment for your school. Order or browse the new Playground Inspirations book, and download the interactive app for your iPad or Android tablets.

Leave it to the professionals Landscape Structures is so honored to work with schools around the world. We’re constantly learning about fun and unique projects on which you’ve worked, obstacles that you face and innovative solutions that you create to overcome challenges. That’s why we’ve created this feature that spotlights an individual connected to his or her local school, and gives you a glimpse into what projects and programs he or she has implemented. Our featured individual is Kristin Anderson, vice president of the BF Day Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in Seattle, Wash. Read below to learn more about Kristin, and her experience as a volunteer for the PTSA. Q: How did you become involved with the BF Day PTSA, and what is your experience with the organization? A: I am currently at home raising my two daughters—now in first and fourth grades—but prior to being a stay-at-home mom, I worked in planning and public involvement with a strong interest in parks. I got involved with the PTSA shortly after my first daughter went to school, and eventually became the PTSA president. While I was serving as president, we initiated our playground project. My past experience in community engagement really helped me lead the project, along with the help of many volunteers on the playground subcommittee. Q: What was the first step you took to initiate the playground planning process? A: In early 2011, we took the first step in the planning process and created a full-concept site plan for the entire exterior grounds at the school. We created that plan in pieces knowing that we would complete the project in phases. We were also told that the full-concept plan would help our chances when we were applying for grants. I n the full-concept plan was the additional play area for students, sports courts, bike racks, signage, garden beds and making improvements to the front of our historical school. Based on the community’s feedback, we decided to focus on the playground equipment and sports courts first. In addition to creating the plan, we also connected with our school district’s Self-Help Program, which provides guidance to PTAs and/or staff members who are initiating a school-focused project. Q: A large part of the playground planning process is fundraising. How did the PTSA secure funding for the playground? A: W e applied for local grants, and were awarded quite a few from the city, county and other local organizations. Additionally, we created an advisory board of community members when we first started this project. That board helped us make connections with neighborhood groups like the Rotary and Neighborhood Council that hosted events in our honor and/or gave donations to the project. W e had a penny drive so that we could include all of the kids in the fundraising efforts; we also sold bricks and boulders that are displayed around the playground. We’re fortunate that our school is so connected to the community, because that helped in securing funds as well as some of the building materials. We also installed the playground through a community build, which helped us save some money on installation costs. And it was really fun! We had lots of parents, high school students and community members help during the day-long build. Watch a time lapse of the installation. Q: What were your goals of the playground, and how did you decide on a final design? o begin the playground design process, we A: T held public meetings in order to get feedback from the community. We heard that they wanted a net climber, kids wanted monkey bars and the members of the playground

committee wanted something different—not your standard post-and-platform structure. We received a few proposals, and asked the community to vote on the designs. Once the design was chosen, we worked closely with our local playground consultant, Play*Creation, Inc., and a designer at Landscape Structures to finalize the concept. We ended up with the Eclipse® Net Climber and actually included some post-andplatform components to our overall design. We got a great playground that fit our budget requirements, and we absolutely LOVE the design! The playground was installed in September 2013, and opened on Halloween. We feel fortunate to have been able to complete what we did, and now we’re moving on to the next phase of improvements on the playground. Q: What are some of your personal hobbies when you’re not building playgrounds? A: I like to be outside. I think that’s what has drawn me to taking my kids to parks. We like to hike, ski and we camp a lot in the summer. We spend a lot of time getting our kids outside and being active.

Learn more about the BF Day PTSA by visiting www.bfdayptsa.org.

Increase your funding with our Playground Grant Guide Playgrounds are important for students. They engage kids’ muscles and minds, provide a way for kids to be active and help them develop a variety of life skills. Even more, playgrounds help bring the whole school community together! Building a new playground that meets all your needs can be costly. The good news is that there is nearly always money available. You just have to know where to look for it. Request a copy of our newest Playground Grant Guide for a great place to start. Playground grants are a great way to get additional funds for your playground project, and our grant guide will share a listing of federal and state programs as well as grants offered by corporations. Contact your local playground consultant or call us at 888.438.6574 to request a copy of the Playground Grant Guide today!

Industry News Read about the latest happenings affecting schools, and then join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Let us know what you think about the following topics: •N ation’s Principals Visit Capitol Hill, Launch NAESP’s Advocacy Agenda Nearly 200 elementary and middle-level principals met with their members of Congress in February to discuss federal education policies such as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the early childhood legislation while attending NAESP’s National Leaders Conference. Read more.

Calendar of Events Looking forward to seeing and celebrating with you during the following events: APRIL • Autism Awareness Month • EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. • AOTA Annual Conference & Expo, Baltimore, Md. • PTO Today Expos, various locations MAY • National Teachers Day • School Nurses Day

• Key Club Convention, Anaheim, Calif. • NAESP Convention, Nashville, Tenn. • NAESP Day of Service, Nashville, Tenn. SEPTEMBER • Green Apple Day of Service

Insta

• Bullying bill modified but GOP, other opponents not satisfied Legislation to strengthen Minnesota’s anti-bullying law continues to be controversial despite changes that address concerns that the legislation would be costly and difficult for districts to implement. Changes include narrowing the definition of bullying, specifying the school staff who must receive bullying prevention training and updating the timeline for bullying investigation to be conducted. Read more. • International Olympic Committee President Visits Playground On Monday, Feb. 10, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, joined the celebration of the grand opening of Russia’s first fully inclusive playground. The project, sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House, was designed by partners Shane’s Inspiration and Landscape Structures. Read more.

JULY

Landscape Structures Inc. 601 7th St. South Delano, MN 55328-8605 888.438.6574 763.972.5200 playlsi.com

• CMS approves security cameras in elementary schools Following the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary schools took a closer look at security measures and recently approved a plan to install security cameras in 26 of its elementary schools. Read more.