Exploring the future of play: Our exciting 2024 catalogs

Posted on January 18, 2024 by PlayLSI

At Landscape Structures, our commitment to play is not just a profession… it’s a passion. We understand that play is more than just fun—it’s an essential part of growth, learning and community. As we step into 2024, we’re thrilled to unveil our latest offerings that embody this spirit. Check out our 2024 playground equipment catalogs, where innovation meets imagination, and every design is a doorway to adventure.

Our 2024 Playground Equipment Catalog: A world of play awaits

2024 Playground Equipment Catalog | Landscape Structures

Imagine a playground that not only captivates children’s imaginations but also nurtures their growth. That’s the vision behind our 2024 Playground Equipment Catalog. Packed with groundbreaking innovations like Volo™ and eye-catching designs, our catalog is a treasure trove for anyone looking to create or enhance a play environment.

From freestanding play components that challenge and delight, to outdoor fitness equipment that brings communities together, we’ve thought of everything. See our digital catalog for a burst of inspiration for your next playground project, and don’t forget to request a physical copy to keep the ideas flowing!

SkyWays® Shade Products: Your oasis of comfort

Sunshine and play go hand in hand, but comfort is key. That’s where our SkyWays® Shade Products come in. Our 2024 catalog showcases a wide range of stylish, effective shade systems that are perfect for transforming any playstructure, splash pad or activity area into a cool, welcoming oasis.

Whether you’re envisioning a modest canopy or an expansive shelter, our catalog presents a variety of options to suit your needs. Browse our virtual catalog to explore the possibilities, and request a copy to start planning your shade projects with confidence.

Aquatix®: Splash into imagination

Water play is an exhilarating way for children to explore, create and learn. Our Aquatix® splash play line does just that by blending water and imagination to create unforgettable experiences. The 2024 Aquatix catalog is a splash of inspiration featuring products that promise thrilling water adventures and imaginative play.

Explore our digital catalog to discover the endless possibilities for your water play destination. Whether you’re planning a new splash pad or revitalizing an existing space, our catalog is your first step towards a splashtastic project. Request your copy today and let the waves of creativity take you on an unforgettable journey.

Building better play for all

We don’t just create play environments, we craft spaces where memories are made, skills are developed and communities come together. Our 2024 catalogs are more than just collections of products—they are invitations to join us in a world where play is a path to a brighter, happier future.

Let’s build this world together—one playground, one splash pad and one shade structure at a time. Welcome to our world of play, where every day is an opportunity to make a difference.

Ready to start your journey? Contact your local consultant and let the adventure begin!

Five tips to keep your playgrounds in top shape

Posted on June 9, 2023 by PlayLSI

Commercial playground equipment is an investment that brings joy and play opportunities to children. To ensure its longevity and safety, regular maintenance is crucial. Explore five playground maintenance tips below to help you keep your playgrounds in top shape.

Inspect and Clean Regularly: Perform routine inspections to identify any signs of wear, loose bolts or damage. Clean the equipment regularly to remove dirt, debris and potential hazards. This not only enhances the appearance but also prevents corrosion and extends the lifespan of the equipment.

Address Repairs Promptly: Don’t delay repairs when issues are identified. Attend to loose parts, broken components or damaged surfacing immediately. Timely repairs prevent further damage and minimize potential safety risks. Keep a record of repairs and create a schedule for regular maintenance tasks. Learn how to do this by scheduling a Learning Academy session about Maintaining Safe Play Environments.

Follow Manufacturer Guidelines: Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for playground maintenance tips or instructions specific to your playground equipment. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that you’re using the appropriate cleaning agents, tools and techniques for your equipment. It also helps preserve any warranties that may be in place.

Educate Users and Supervise: Educate playground users including children and caregivers on the proper use and care of the equipment. Encourage safe play practices and discourage behaviors that could lead to damage or injury. Additionally, having vigilant supervision can help identify any misuse or potential hazards quickly.

These tips for maintaining your playgrounds will help ensure its longevity, safety and continued enjoyment for children. A well-maintained playground not only provides a safe environment for play but also reflects your commitment to the well-being and enjoyment of the children who use it. Learn more about maintaining your Landscape Structures playground and contact your local playground consultant today.

Deliver social and cooperative play opportunities with playground spinners

Posted on December 1, 2022 by PlayLSI

Modern day merry-go-rounds attract kids of all ages and abilities. But why are kids so fascinated with spinning activities? Because it’s one of the core movements that engages the vestibular system. When a child twists and turns on playground spinners their brain receives signals to help control movement and balance. Even more, playground spinners offer developmental benefits including social and cooperative play.

Three children standing on a Curva spinner playground feature

We understand that kids discover their world and how to be successful in it through sensory play. And the more sensory-rich play experiences kids are presented with, the more they can fully develop a wide array of skills necessary to engage, change and impact the world around them.

Adding multi-user playground spinners to playground designs is a great way to expand play spaces and freshen up the play experience. Best of all, while kids whirl and twirl their day away, they’re receiving developmental benefits like building an array of motor, cognitive and social/emotional skills.

Try placing one spinner or multiple together to create a play zone filled with thrilling experiences that are great for kids of all ages and abilities. The Revi™ products including the ReviRock™ Bouncer, ReviWheel™ Spinner and ReviWhirl™ Spinner are a great option for this. Designed with inclusion in mind, all three Revi products are designed at transfer height, offer multiple ways to hang on, and provide plenty of room for kids of all abilities to lay down, sit, kneel or stand as they experiment with the motion.

When children play together, they develop in ways that they couldn’t alone. That’s why we develop multi-user spinners that combine the sensory input of spinning and social interaction among peers. Even better, many of these products like the We-Go-Round®, OmniSpin® Spinner and WhirlyQ® Spinner are inclusive to individuals of all ages and abilities.

Learn more about how certain types of play may shape children’s development by requesting our whitepaper, Shaped by Play: How Play Types Impact Development. Our observational research with the University of Minnesota examines whether certain types of developmentally significant play are best supported by certain playground components.

2021 Legacy of Play contest winner creating destination play space for all ages and abilities

Posted on November 4, 2021 by PlayLSI

We’re excited to announce that the Kiwanis Club of Stuart, Florida, is the winner in the 8th Annual Legacy of Play contest. The club, which will receive $25,000 in playground equipment, plans to install the commercial playground equipment in Kiwanis Park in downtown Stuart, a place that has become a sanctuary for Martin County families. The Kiwanis Club Stuart Playground Project will provide an area for older children, completing the goal of giving children of all ages and abilities a safe and fun place to play.

The club has been working on this destination play space for five years. According to Kali Flood, who submitted her club’s application to the contest, they first built a barrier-free playground to ensure accessibility for the community. And in December, they’re expanding with a Tot Lot and Sensory Sensitive play area for children on the autism spectrum, along with reaching children with visual and auditory impairments.

Plans call for the Kiwanis Club Stuart Playground Project to be installed and ready for children by October 2022. The club, which has 45 members, will work together with the City of Stuart as well as other community groups to bring this destination playground to fruition. Read more about the winning club.

Learn more about our partnership with Kiwanis International at playlsi.com.

Jump start your playground with the Legacy of Play Contest

Posted on August 12, 2021 by PlayLSI

We are excited to launch the 2021 Legacy of Play Contest in partnership with Kiwanis International. This annual contest awards one Kiwanis club US$25,000 in playground equipment to be used toward a Landscape Structures playground project completed by October 2022.

The Legacy of Play Contest, now in its eighth year, helps Kiwanis clubs achieve their goal of bringing play to all children. See the timeline below, and review questions, read the official contest rules and submit your entry at kiwanis.org:

Entry Period. Connect with your local Kiwanis club and have them submit an entry now until Thursday, Sept. 10.
Voting Period. All eligible entries will be open to public vote beginning Sept. 15. Encourage your community to vote!
Selection Period. The top 10 finalists from the public vote will be reviewed by a jury of past winners, members and more.
Winner Announcement. We, along with Kiwanis International, will announce the winner of this year’s contest on or around Oct. 13.

Everyone’s a winner with Landscape Structures! We’re happy to offer all 2021 Legacy of Play Contest entrants a certificate to receive a complimentary OminSpin® Spinner with a playground purchase. Stay tuned for more details post-entry period.

Partner with the Kiwanis club in your community to apply for the 2021 Legacy of Play Contest to make your playground project a reality! Use the Club Finder at kiwanis.org to connect with local Kiwanis members, or contact your local Landscape Structures playground consultant to help introduce you.

50 Years at Play

Posted on April 29, 2021 by PlayLSI

Many people remember the days of freestanding slides, swings and monkey bars. But in 1967, that idea of playground design advanced to interconnected play components. Cofounder Steve King created the continuous play concept, the revolutionary idea of combining playground activities. As his final thesis project at Iowa State University, Steve developed a system that linked play activities together to provide a continuous challenge for children. His premise was that if kids are together on one structure, they’ll learn things that they will use in real life like social and conflict-resolution skills.

While his thesis only scored him a C+ grade, Steve took his continuous play concept to his first job as a landscape architect specializing in park planning. In 1969, he put his approach in action in a playground design project for the City of Minneapolis. His first playground was a success, which lead to more interest. And in April 1971, Steve and Barb obtained a $1,000 loan and incorporated Landscape Structures to design and build playground innovation. See our company timeline here.

Landscape Structures’ commitment to playground innovation

Landscape Structures is committed to innovation. Hedra®, one of our more recent inventions, allows kids to safely navigate via their own intuition and curiosity, and invent routes, games and imaginary environments. Our long-standing commitment to inclusive play is breaking barriers with the new We-Go-Swing™, the first no-transfer inclusive swing that can be integrated directly into the playground setting. Even more, the use of innovative materials and the development of colors that are truly inspired by nature is changing the world of playgrounds.

Reflecting on the power of play

As Landscape Structures moves into its 50th year of business, we’re taking time to reflect on the power of play. We know that play and recreation has far more value than just being fun; it is essential for the health and wellbeing of communities. And that’s why our team—nearly 500 employees and the network of more than 200 playground consultants worldwide—is proud to provide unique play opportunities for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Because no matter what’s happening in the world, we will always come back to play.

Building play spaces to support community healing

Posted on August 22, 2019 by PlayLSI

Earlier this year, we became KaBOOM!’s Partner in Play. That means we’re their primary supplier of commercial playground equipment, and we partner with them to build playspaces in communities in need across the United States, Canada and Mexico. And this summer, building playspaces is exactly what we’ve been doing. Together with KaBOOM!, we completed more than 30 playground builds during the months of June and July, and we’re on target to complete 13 more before August is over.

It’s more than just the numbers. The playspaces that KaBOOM! builds help ensure that all kids have great, safe places to play. In fact, a single build in June–at the Abbott House in Irvington, N.Y.–impacted more than 500 kids! Abbott House is an organization that supports children in foster care, unaccompanied immigrant children, and other vulnerable populations while providing a place for healing. And the new playground is sure to deliver an additional source of restoration needed kids and their families.

Held during Morgan Stanley’s annual Global Volunteer Month, Morgan Stanley employees withstood the blistering heat to help transform a 50-year-old rundown and unsafe playground into a brightly-colored play space with slides, climbers and playground spinners. They were joined by enthusiastic Abbott House staff and volunteers who embraced the opportunity to transform the space. At the end of the day, the playground space was complete. Volunteers stood silent, many with tears in their eyes, as a group of children, recently transported to Abbott House, thanked them for their hard work.

To learn why play matters for all kids, visit KaBOOM! and join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with #playmatters and #PLAYceforKids. Get more details about our partnership with KaBOOM!

Principals give back to the local community

Posted on July 11, 2019 by PlayLSI

On Monday, more than 100 principals representing the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) came together to build a playground at Adams Elementary School in Spokane, Wash. The community service day was part of the 2019 NAESP Pre-K-8 Principals Conference held in Spokane.

Principals from across the country are welcomed to the school in Spokane where they will build a playground! Rocking it for kids! Thanks to our friends @PlayLSI! You all are rock stars! @NAESP #naesp19 pic.twitter.com/Jd9CqpFsQJ

— Eric Cardwell (@Cardwell16) July 9, 2019

The school playground was designed for students ages 5 to 12, and features playground slides, climbers, and activity panels in addition to overhead events and bridges. The playground is ADA compliant and designed to welcome children of all abilities. In addition to building the playground, principal volunteers participated in landscaping, painting and other beautification projects at the school.

What an awesome day of giving for @naesp and Adams Elementary. We had a great time building the new @PlayLSI playground. It was a bummer telling the kids they had to wait 72 hours to play on it. We could see how excited they were. Thanks @DrSGeis for the recommendation. So fun! pic.twitter.com/HiZI9OqADx

— Bret Domstrand (@bretdom) July 10, 2019

TEPSA was in the house…or, on the playground, to help with a playground build @spokaneschools @NAESP #NAESP19 @TEPSAtalk #WeLeadTX @PlayLSI pic.twitter.com/qZRZU12fQv

— Mark Terry (@tepsamark) July 9, 2019

More playground pictures! @NAESP @PlayLSI @SuperPWCS @ToddErickson15 pic.twitter.com/iof4XmOg1H

— Susan (@susan_danielson) July 10, 2019

As you can see from the tweets, principals had a blast during the build. This community service day marks the 11th anniversary of our partnership with NAESP to build a playground at a deserving elementary school.

We came. We saw. We built (a really awesome playground). Another #NAESPServiceDay19 is in the books. #NAESP19 pic.twitter.com/x8Eu6Tli9z

— National Assoc. of Elementary School Principals (@NAESP) July 9, 2019

See more about the playground build from The Spokesman-Review.

Barb’s Day of Honor 2019

Posted on March 7, 2019 by PlayLSI

Barb’s Day of Honor is celebrated at Landscape Structures Inc. every year on March 4^th since losing the day’s namesake and Landscape Structures co founder, Barb King in 2008. Her legacy lives on through her many lifetime accomplishments and the way she impacted those around her. This positive influence is evident in the many stories and anecdotes shared by friends, family, and coworkers on this day.

“Our highest purpose is to make a difference in the world – create a better place for children and families.”

Barb King

One of Barb’s personal passions was advocating for healthier lifestyles for children and sparking an appreciation of nature in them. Barb founded the non profit Säjai® Foundation in honor of this commitment. Their mission is focused on teaching children the value of healthy living and encouraging an exploration of the outdoors. This legacy continues through the merging of the Säjai® Foundation with Camp Fire in May 2013. Camp Fire serves more than 250,000 youths and families through outdoor activities with an emphasis on camping.

Search our hashtag #HonoringBarbKing on Instagram or Twitter to read more about Barb King’s personal impact on others (or to add your own story!) or check out our Barb King Day post on Facebook.

Barb’s Inspiration Park (Delano, MN)

Case Study: Play Reimagined

Posted on February 7, 2019 by PlayLSI

Client: City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department

Landscape Architect: Dig Studio, Denver, Colo.

Goal: Get children and families outdoors and encourage life-long active and healthy lifestyles in a revitalized park environment.

Solution: The giant 1950’s microphone-inspired tower heralds the horizon, but the built-in play value is what really makes this park honoring local radio DJ Paco Sanchez truly extraordinary. Brilliant colors and bold presence aside, it’s the imaginative use of the musical references that do the hard work of delivering dynamic play. Notes and scales offer footholds. Sound waves create netted climbing adventures. Chimes travel with kids as they run across the bridge.

Read more about how the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department engaged the community and its culture through the transformation of Paco Sanchez Park.

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Category Archives: Community Build Playgrounds