Up on Play Parks and Recreation

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.

Topiaries, flowers and playgrounds... OH MY!

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.

• Pulse 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.

• Pulse 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.

• Pulse 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.

A finger on the Pulse of multisensory play

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 high-

temperature 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.

Water play safety surfacing: Choosing the right option for you

Leave it to the professionalsLandscape 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.

©2013 Landscape Structures Inc.

Landscape Structures Inc.601 7th St. SouthDelano, MN 55328-8605888.438.6574763.972.5200playlsi.com

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Calendar of EventsLooking forward to seeing you at the following events:

FEBRUARY • U.S. Play Coalition Value of Play, Clemson, S.C.

• 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.

• 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

Industry News Learn about the latest happenings in the playground industry below:

• Pediatricians say recess is a must

• 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