Up on Play
Parks and Recreation
Topiaries, flowers and playgrounds... OH MY! Landscape Structures is excited to have its playground equipment featured at the 20th Annual EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, which kicks off March 6, and runs through May 19. We are truly honored to be a part of this special event, and proud to say that 2013 marks our 11th year of participation. New to the Festival this year is the garden and children’s play area called, “Land of Oz.” A themed Evos® playsystem is linked to the PlayBooster® Vibe™ to create a truly unique play experience. A rainbow-colored O-Zone® climber, cityscape and flower post toppers, and custom Vibe roofs will stretch kids’ imaginations and muscles. Additionally flower pod steppers lead to three Cozy Domes®, fun playground components that act as a hide-away on the inside while providing climbing fun on the outside. In addition to the all-new “Land of Oz” garden, we have a nature-inspired playground that was designed especially for 2- to 5-year-olds. A PlayBooster playstructure complete with The Peak™ natural climbers fits perfectly into the garden, which has a southwestern-themed landscape. And EPCOT didn’t forget about the teenagers, parents and grandparents visiting the park. In yet another garden, three of our HealthBeat® outdoor fitness stations are available for a quick workout. If you’re in the neighborhood or planning a warm-weather vacation nearby Lake Buena Vista, Fla., make plans to visit the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Colorful flowers and more than 75 Disney character topiaries accompany the play areas, along with a concert series and presentations by HGTV and DIY Network personalities.
A finger on the Pulse of multisensory play Earlier this year, Landscape Structures introduced Pulse™, a multisensory way to add lights, sounds, touch and more movement to the playground. We’ve been committed to providing sensory play experiences for many years in an effort to create truly inclusive playgrounds, and the addition of Pulse will welcome children of all abilities to the playground for visual, auditory and tactile stimulation.
Pulse offers three interactive games with stimulating LED light patterns and sounds that help kids develop their muscles, hand-eye coordination and action/reaction skills. Pulse games are simple, intuitive and engaging for the whole family. Even more, the three new games encourage social interaction, teach the value of sportsmanship, and help develop physical coordination and spatial awareness. •P ulse Tennis is great for two to eight players ages 5 to 12. With flashing lights and realistic tennis sounds, kids will be encouraged to run, lunge and stretch to send the light back to their opponent. •P ulse Table Tennis welcomes two to four players ages 2 to 12. Kids develop hand-eye coordination and concentration as they watch for the light to bounce back to them. Table tennis, installed at a wheelchair-accessible height, is great for therapeutic settings. •P ulse Tempo rewards kids for their movement with five unique sound and light shows. Designed for up to six players ages 2 to 12, Pulse Tempo helps advance kids’ motor skills. Pulse offers a truly unique experience on the playground. Watch Pulse in action and hear what kids have to say about the new multisensory play experience.
Water play safety surfacing: Choosing the right option for you
Water play is the perfect activity for children of all ages because each child can experience it in a different and unique way, depending on their age and skill levels. Besides the educational benefits, water play is a source of great entertainment. When you’re working on a new water play area, make sure you choose the right surfacing. Keep the following in mind when considering your water play safety surfacing purchase: 1. Is your surfacing slip-resistant and will it protect against falls? Concrete and many poured-in-place surfaces become slippery when wet. Look for a product that has passed the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) slip-resistant testing. AquaFlex® safety surfacing for water play has passed this test. Additionally, it is the only water play surfacing option that offers an optional cushioning layer to provide better protection against falls and a safer water play experience for recreational facilities. 2. Is your surfacing chemical resistant and easy to clean? Make sure the water play surfacing you choose won’t breakdown from high exposure to chemicals like chlorine or bromine. Also, it’s important to consider the cleaning agents you can use in order to keep your surfacing sanitized. Unlike other products on the market, AquaFlex is not affected by chlorine or bromine, and can withstand heavy-duty cleaners along with a power washer and/or hightemperature pressure cleaning system. 3. Will your surfacing choice give you design flexibility? In order to beautify your water play environment, you may want to include graphics—borders, logos or custom artwork—into your water play surfacing. AquaFlex surfacing can accommodate a variety of designs. Even more, it is UV light-stable so that your designs won’t fade. You’ll also want to research the installation process, maintenance needs and the warranty for the safety surfacing you choose. After considering all of these components, you’ll be armed with the information you need to make the right decision for your community and your users.
Leave it to the professionals Landscape Structures is so honored to work with parks and recreation professionals 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 new feature that spotlights a professional, introduces him or her, and gives you a glimpse into what projects and programs he or she has implemented. Our first featured professional is Doug Vance, executive director of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA). Read below to learn more about Doug, and his experience in the field of parks and recreation. Q: How long have you been involved in the park and recreation industry? A: I’ve been involved with parks and recreation since 2004 when I came into my current position as executive director of KRPA. Prior to that, I was working as the assistant athletic director at the University of Kansas. I had always had great respect for park and recreation as a consumer, so when I learned of this position, I jumped at it. The field of park and recreation does so much to build community and people often take it for granted. Q: What have been some of your favorite initiatives to tackle since moving into parks and recreation? A: In partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, KRPA created the BlueCHIP Award to honor healthy communities in Kansas. The BlueCHIP Award, which was first awarded in 2011, recognizes and rewards six communities that encourage and support healthy lifestyles. The six award winners are announced at our annual conference and trade show, honored with customized plaque and receive $2,500 to further their efforts. In addition to the BlueCHIP Award, I’m proud to have had a part in creating the Kansas Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. We put together a list of 10 things that we felt children of Kansas should have the opportunity to do, including explore nature and play in a safe environment. And as the executive director of KRPA, I can help influence local park and recreation departments to create spaces and programs that fulfill those rights. Q: Being as passionate about parks and recreation as you are, does your career influence some of your personal hobbies? A: Absolutely. I like being active so take advantage of many of the parks and recreation facilities around me; my wife and I like hiking and are active walkers. I serve on the Kansas Governor’s Council for Fitness, which promotes regular, lifelong physical activity and healthy eating practices to all Kansans. I also enjoy writing; I worked in newspapers and media at the beginning of my career and have co-authored a number of books. And coming from KU, you can bet that I’m a fan of the Jayhawks. I still work in the press box during the football season.
Learn more about what Doug and KRPA are doing in Kansas by visiting www. krpa.org.
Calendar of Events
Industry News
Looking forward to seeing you at the following events:
Learn about the latest happenings in the playground industry below:
FEBRUARY • U.S. Play Coalition Value of Play, Clemson, S.C.
• Pediatricians say recess is a must
• Michigan Recreation & Parks Association, Lansing, Mich. • New Mexico Park & Recreation Association, Albuquerque, N.M. MARCH • EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. • Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association, Hyannis, Mass.
• How kids benefit from outdoor play • Playgrounds help children with autism • Kids in Nature program helps youngsters learn to love science • Teaching kids to exercise could help them stay fit with age
• Rhode Island Recreation & Parks Association, Roger Williams University • New York Society of Recreation & Park Society Inc., Rochester, N.Y. • Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society, Hershey, Pa. APRIL • Kiwanis One Day, worldwide • South Dakota Park & Recreation Association, Deadwood, S.D. MAY • GSA, Orlando, Fla. JUNE • Kiwanis International Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada JULY • National Park & Recreation Month, nationwide
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