Changing kids’ lives together

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At this time of year, we all love to hear stories of people doing good for others. And that’s why we wanted to share this story of Rachel, a 9-year-old who built an inclusive playground for her community in Kentucky. Thanks to Rachel’s dad, Jeff, for sharing this amazing story with us.

When Rachel was in third grade she formed The Rachel’s Fun For Everyone project, an organization to raise funds for an all-accessible playground in Vine Grove, Ky. She came up with the idea for the playground after seeing children on a playground who couldn’t play like she could. She didn’t think it was fair that they couldn’t play just because of a disability, and wanted to make a change.

Over five years, Rachel and her family, along with the community, raised more than $500,000 to create a place for everyone–no matter their ability–to play. Rachel’s dream became a reality in August 2017, and Rachel is continuing to fight for the right of play and for inclusion for everyone.

Get more information about Rachel and Rachel’s Fun for Everyone Project on Facebook.

Spreading the message of inclusion

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ShanesBlog

We are proud to partner with Shane’s Inspiration on a common goal of promoting play for children of all abilities. Together, we’ve created nearly 50 Universally Accessible Playgrounds including the first in Mexico and Ecuador.

Even more, we’re working with them to promote the animated short film, “Ian.” This powerful, Academy Award eligible film, aims to help children understand disability and spread the message of inclusion to every home. Tools to facilitate Q&A following the film can be found here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dLEO8mwYWQ]

Watch the film above, and please share it with the following message: Please watch and share the film “Ian” and help us create a more inclusive world! http://ow.ly/PyFR30mU6Di #InclusionRules_IanFilm @fundacionian @ShanesPlay #shapedbyplay

Landscape Structures selected “Partner in Play” by KaBOOM!

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We’re excited to share that earlier this month, KaBOOM! announced Landscape Structures as its next Partner in Play. We will begin a three-year partnership on Jan. 1, 2019, which will involve building hundreds of innovative playspaces across North America.

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to ensuring all kids have great, safe places to play, and will partner with us to provide playspaces throughout communities–schools, parks, housing and beyond–to enable kids and families, regardless of zip code, to make play the easy choice. As the Partner in Play, we will serve as the primary supplier of playground equipment and partner in building playspaces in communities in need across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Learn more about our partnership with KaBOOM! here.

Continuous education from Landscape Structures and Aquatix

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Are you beginning to plan your continuing education for 2019? We can help! We are an authorized provider of continuing education credits from the International Association for Continuous Education and Training (IACET) and the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System™ (LA CES). That means we can help keep your parks and recreation department and landscape architects up-to-date on their requirements.

Even better, we have a team of expert speakers that are available to present on valuable playground and aquatics information during a local conference, in your office or during a customer visit to our headquarters in Minnesota. From inclusive play and spray play to designing safe splash play and fitness-focused environments to evidence-based landscape and playground design, there are sessions that will meet a wide variety of needs.

Learn more about playground-related CEUs, and check out the new aqua play sessions available from Aquatix.

Create word-of-mouth legendary playgrounds

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Today, more and more communities are using unique design to create a signature playground. Smart design that combines eye-catching aesthetics with built-in play value. Custom design that can be as simple or as detailed as you like.

Discover how custom can put your playground on the map. Request a copy of our 2019 PLAY Book, or browse the virtual publication.

From fully themed wonderlands to palettes that span oceans and deserts and everything in between, see a few of the signature playground designs from our 2019 PLAY Book in action below.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpH6mI8YWUI]

Learning, celebrating and connecting in Philadelphia

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Last weekend, we were in Philadelphia for the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Annual Meeting and Expo. First thing on Saturday morning, President Pat Faust introduced the speakers of the Opening General Session, Susan Stamberg and Laurie Olin. Following, we welcomed visitors to our booth space, which featured the Alpha® Tower and Friendship® Swing.

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On Saturday night, we hosted an event for customers at NOTO. It was great connecting with all of the landscape architects, hearing about their amazing visions and sharing how, together, we can create word-of-mouth legendary play spaces. We’re already looking forward to next year in San Diego.

Shaping play in Indy

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Late last month, we were excited to be in Indianapolis for the National Recreation & Park Association’s Annual Conference. Our booth space featured the Alpha® Tower and Friendship® Swing, while the nearby Aquatix booth showcased the CanopyCluster, HydroHelix, ground sprays and lots more.

On Tuesday night, we hosted an event for customers at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team. With lawn games, a photo booth, and food and drinks, we all had a great time playing and celebrating the work parks and recreation professionals do to shape the lives of kids through play.

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Celebrating the All Stars of the Miracle League

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Last weekend, the Miracle League, an organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball, hosted its Inaugural Miracle League All-Star Celebration. Representatives from 26 states and a Canadian province made their way to Findlay, Ohio, for the event.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, 90 Miracle League players participated in four baseball games at the Blanchard Valley Health System Miracle Park. The celebration showcased the success and impact that the Miracle League has on children and families of all abilities. Miracle Leagues across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia are creating environments that encourage teamwork, competition and inclusion.

Read more about the inaugural event here.

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As seen during American Ninja Warrior

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If you’re in the Miami and San Diego viewing areas, you may have seen our FitCore™ Extreme equipment during the American Ninja Warrior season finale on Monday, Sept. 10. The equipment appeared in a 30-second commercial during the broadcast.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1N5rsXc0QU]

FitCore Extreme sets the stage to challenge kids ages 5 to 12, teens and even adults both physically and functionally so they reach their personal best. Design an innovative outdoor obstacle course of your own or consider one of our predesigned courses:

  • Course for ages 5 to 12; fitness warriors will build strength while also challenging their physical and mental agility.
  • Course for ages 13+; invite friendly competition among teens and adults in your park, school or neighborhood gathering area.

Go extreme! Contact us today to bring a FitCore Extreme challenge course to your community.

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Imagine the possibilities of your splash pad

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Looking for inspiration for your next spray park or splash pad design? Look no further. Aquatix by Landscape Structures has pulled together a sampling of featured projects that have been designed and installed throughout the country. The water park designs highlight new product innovations as well as classic water play activities that create remarkable aqua play environments. Best of all, they’ve each been designed to meet the unique needs of each site and community.

Visit the Featured Projects pages on aquatix.playlsi.com to find details about each project including system types, flow rates, splash play activities included and download a 3D design file.