Up on Play
Parks and Recreation
Issue 3
Netplex™ is what’s next in play.
Last month, Landscape Structures introduced Netplex™, a new net-based playstructure designed to challenge kids 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 around 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. 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 kids 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 will 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 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 your new Netplex playground design.
WatermillTM Climber
LolliLadderTM
Sol SpinnerTM
Let kids of all abilities fly with ZipKrooz™ Zip lines have become the fastest growing recreational sport in the world, and now Landscape Structures has a new innovation that brings that adventure to the playground in a safe way. ZipKrooz™ is our new inclusive zip line for playgrounds, and when paired with its accessible companion, ZipKrooz Assisted, it provides a truly inclusive play experience. Unlike other playground zip lines, ZipKrooz offers a two-way ride—kids will zip from one end to the other, and back again for nonstop fun. Built-in elevation helps riders gain momentum at the beginning, and then slow down at the end for a safe exit. With three lengths of track available, ZipKrooz and ZipKrooz Assisted can accommodate any playground or all three can be installed to offer users a graduated experience. You can choose from the challenging poly disc seat (ZipKrooz) or more secure molded bucket seat with lock-in-place harness (ZipKrooz Assisted). Installed together, ZipKrooz and ZipKrooz Assisted provide children of all abilities the feeling of flying sideby-side. And both configurations stimulate kids’ vestibular and proprioceptive senses, help kids learn to play cooperatively, and exercise kids’ balance, coordination and core strength. Learn more about ZipKrooz and ZipKrooz Assisted and see it in action by visiting playlsi.com/zipkrooz. Then contact your Landscape Structures playground consultant to bring the adventure of zip lines to your local playgrounds.
Webinar:
Creating an Inclusive Play Movement Earlier this month, Recreation Management kicked off its new Webinar Educational Series, which was designed to provide participants with an in-depth look at top issues and challenges in the recreation industry. The first webinar in the series, sponsored by Landscape Structures, discussed the best ways to bring inclusive play from imagination to reality. Experts discussed methods for creating effective public/private partnerships, building funding and support for inclusive play, and ensuring that playground designs are truly inclusive—along with ways to facilitate playing together among children and caregivers of all abilities. Watch the recording here, and learn more about inclusive play by visiting playlsi.com.
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. In this feature, we’ll spotlight a professional, and offer a glimpse into implemented projects. Our featured professional is Michael Hecker, CPRP, parks and recreation director for the City of Elk River, Minn. Read below to learn more about Michael, and his experience in the field of parks and recreation. Q: How long have you been involved in the park and recreation industry?
Michael Hecker A: I’ve been in a department head/director role in parks and recreation for more than 20 years. After I finished my master’s degree in recreation administration at Indiana University, I took my first position in the parks and recreation field in Connecticut. From there, I was in Unalaska, Alaska (better known as Dutch Harbor); moved to Mason, Ohio, for 11 years; and now I’ve been in Elk River for nearly two and a half years.
Q: What have been some of your favorite initiatives to tackle since moving into parks and recreation? A: In cities where I worked in the past, we created destination parks where families could gather for entire afternoons. And that was one of the things that needed to happen here in Elk River. We have many small neighborhood playgrounds, but there really wasn’t a destination playground where families could gather for hours of play and enjoyment. Orono Park was more than 25-years-old, so we were ready to replace it. We started saving money to invest into the park renovation, and the community jumped on board. Orono Park has become our destination playground and has been really successful. Families from all over come to visit Elk River. nother really important initiative that the City of Elk River is working on currently is our parks and A recreation master plan. We get a lot of requests from community members—whether it’s for programming, facilities, park amenities—and this master plan will help us determine priorities when it comes to future park improvements. e’ve surveyed community members and held public forums to hear from our residents so that we W understand what’s important to them. From there, we’ll put it into a plan so that we can easily illustrate to tax payers how we’re spending their dollars. The planning process is underway now, and we hope to have it completed by fall 2014. Q: What has been an exciting change you’ve seen in the industry? A: One of the biggest changes that I’ve seen in the industry is that organizations have to work together to be successful. We partner with lots of youth organizations to offer different programming options—the city provides the space and they deliver the program. While this has been an ongoing effort for many sports organizations, a new trend we’re seeing is that the youth organizations are directly participating with park facility improvements and offering scholarships to make participation more affordable for citizens. nother aspect of partnerships in the parks and recreation industry is land acquisition. There is a prized A property along the Mississippi River in Elk River that was assessed at nearly $3 million. The City didn’t have dollars earmarked for the purchase of that land, but we were able to find funding by collaborating with the Conservation Fund, an American environmental non-profit with a dual charter to pursue environmental preservation and economic development, and other agencies within Minneapolis. I t’s important to create partnerships in this industry, and it’s more difficult to be successful if you don’t have them.
Q: What are some of your hobbies? A: I ’ve got a wife and five children, so I really enjoy spending time with them. My wife is from Idaho, so we enjoy driving out west to visit family. During those trips, we like to make stops at local and National Parks—one of our favorites is camping in Yellowstone National Park. We also like rollercoasters. When we lived in Ohio, we went to Kings Island near Cincinnati, which has The Beast, the world’s longest, wooden rollercoaster. nother hobby that I’ve gotten into is digital A scrapbooking. We take lots of photos on our trips, so I take them and put them into a movie/ slideshow for us to look back on.
Orono Park
Elk River, Minnesota
Learn more about Michael and his work at the City of Elk River by visiting www.ElkRiverMN.gov/parksandrec.
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 renders 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 that welcomes and builds community. Order or browse the new Playground Inspirations book, and download the interactive app for your iPad or Android tablets.
Calendar of Events
Industry News
Looking forward to seeing you at the following events:
Learn about the latest happenings in the playground industry below, and then join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Let us know what you think about these topics:
FEBRUARY • Missouri Parks & Recreation Association, Lake Ozark, Mo. MARCH • EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. • Utah Recreation & Parks Association, St. Georage, Utah • Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association, Sturbridge, Mass. • Arkansas Recreation & Parks Association, Fort Smith, Ark. • Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association, Roger Williams University • New York State Recreation & Park Society, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. • Maine Recreation & Park Association, Holiday Inn By-the-Bay APRIL • Kiwanis One Day, worldwide • Iowa Park & Recreation Association, Cedar Rapids, Iowa • Maryland Recreation & Park Association, Ocean City, Md.
• Midwest Regional Conference, Gillette, Wy. JUNE • Circle K Convention, Nashville, Tenn. JULY • National Park & Recreation Month, nationwide • Key Club Convention, Anaheim, Calif. • Kiwanis International Convention, Tokyo/Chiba, Japan
Insta
©2014 Landscape Structures Inc.
• 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. • People and Their Playgrounds How are public playgrounds used? A team of public space researchers set out to answer that question, and the findings are available in a new report, Understanding Playground Utilization. Read more.
MAY
Landscape Structures Inc. 601 7th St. South Delano, MN 55328-8605 888.438.6574 763.972.5200 playlsi.com
• 2013 State of the Industry Recreation Management has released its seventh annual State of the Industry Report, which looks at the managed recreation, sports and fitness industry to determine which trends are having the g reatest impact on facility management, programming, construction and more. Read more.
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