Category Archives: Custom

Shaping play experiences in 2020

Posted on by
Reply

Bring your playground vision to life with new playground products offered exclusively from Landscape Structures. Browse the 2020 new products below, then contact us to help you create engaging and educational play experiences that are sure to exceed your community’s expectations.

Hedra™ for ages 5 to 12

Hedra™
The unique geometric configuration and continuous circuits create a hive for exploration among 5- to 12-year-olds.

Hedra™ Scout for ages 2 to 5

Hedra Scout
Developmentally appropriate activities for toddlers and preschoolers populate this geometric playground design.

Custom Hedra™ Towers for ages 5 to 12

Hedra Towers
These custom towers for kids ages 5 to 12 can be configured to include your favorite components and material options.

SkyWays® Single Post Hypar

Single Post Hypar
Maximize relief from the sun and provide open views to surrounding areas with a new shade shape.

Super Netplex® for ages 5 to 12

Super Netplex®
Deliver the most popular Netplex® activities with added height that everyone aged 5 to 12 can enjoy.

New color palettes

New Colors
Three new curated palettes, inspired by colors found in nature, work well with the new Hedra collection because of the unique materials like bamboo and polycarbonate panels found throughout the designs.

The best of the 2010s

Posted on by
Reply

woodridge_83

We are kicking off a new decade in 2020. But before we do, we wanted to reflect on the past one as it has been filled with play! See the best of the 2010s in the form of our most read blog posts.

1. Limited editions
I’m terrible at keeping up with current politically correct labels. It’s a real problem in my life because as a wheelchair user, you’d think I’d be an authority on it. However, I’m not sure what the term is this week. It moves from handicapped to wheelchair-bound, to disabled or special needs. Differently-abled. Handi-capable. I’ve heard it all.

2. Five considerations for your toddler and preschool playgrounds
To help you create a dream playground for your daycare or preschool that focuses on toddlers’ developmental needs in mind, we created a fun infographic.

3. Spreading the message of inclusion
We’re working with Shane’s Inspiration to promote the animated short film, “Ian,” which aims to help children understand disability and spread the message of inclusion.

4. How to design nature playground environments
Not many of us would disagree that technology is great—it provides convenience, fun and connection to everything. However, all of that technology has also changed the way children play. Kids are spending more time inside, in front of screens and they’re being less active.

5. Case study: Play reimagined
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.

6. Imagine the possibilities of your splash pad
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.

7. Connecting kids to nature with natural playground designs
When it comes to themed playground designs, it’s all about natural playgrounds. At least that’s what experts are saying according to the article, “Let your Imagination Run Wild” in the February edition of Parks & Recreation magazine. Our very own Scott Roschi, creative director, says nature-themed playground equipment is so popular because community leaders are looking for ways to reconnect kids to the natural world around them.

8. First inclusive playground opens in Russia
On Monday, Feb. 10, we celebrated from afar the grand opening of the first inclusive playground in Russia. The inclusive playground was installed in association with the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

9. Tell a story with your playground colors
You may have seen that we introduced eight new colors to make your playground designs pop, blend in or tell a unique story. But with all the infinite number of colors available, how did we choose peacock, buttercup, sky, grass, berry, lagoon, paprika and carbon?

10. Are splash pads the new public pool
Geographical areas that experience their version of “warm weather”, whether that be a few scorching months of summer, or relatively mild temperatures nearly year round, are most likely familiar with the concept of a nearby cool-off zone. For many decades, that has meant a community pool where families and nearby residents could gather to seek relief from the sun and expend warm-weather energy.

Thank you for tuning in to Together We Play over the past decade. We’re looking forward to an exciting year of play; tell us below what you’d like to see more of in 2020 and we’ll do our best to share it here.

Design a legendary playground

Posted on by
1

2020 PLAY Book

For us, design refers to what a playstructure looks like as much as it does to the play value built into it. We simply cannot design one without the other. Play value is what creates return visitors. That’s why we design play environments to be newly fresh and exciting upon every visit. Go here to view and request a copy of the 2020 PLAY Book.

Deliver a hive of activity that sparks the imagination, facilitates discovery and lends itself to new adventure. See a few of the signature playground designs from our 2020 PLAY Book in action below.

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

Turn your destination playground into a legend. By design. Contact us to get started on your next playground design.

A winning booth design: How it’s made

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_2142

Last week, we were in Baltimore for the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference. We had a great time connecting with everyone in the exhibit hall, and were honored to have our booth space awarded Best in Show. So how does a tradeshow booth get designed? We talked with Scott Roschi, creative director, and Allison Koeckeritz, custom playground designer, about how their vision for the space came together.

The overall design idea for the tradeshow booth was a contemporary coffee shop. “We wanted to take our past idea of hospitality to the next level, and created the feeling of a coffee shop overlooking a park with a great playground,” explained Scott. Plus, they aimed to create cozy spaces where visitors to the booth could come together for semi-private meetings.

The goal was to create a warm and inviting space, and Scott and Allison achieved that with a unique palette of materials and colors. “The trend is moving from rose gold into warmer, earthy colors like the copper we used throughout the space,” said Scott.

“The inspiration for the copper elements came from the lights we used over the coffee bar and in the cozy spaces,” said Allison.

Industrial aspects were integrated into the design including raw wood table tops and accents, pipes and strategically placed copper pieces. “It was truly about creating a sensory-rich experience with great coffee and good conversation,” added Scott. A special thanks to nParallel, our production partner, in helping bring this vision to life.

The pair also incorporated interactive elements, which is where the wall of chalk art popped up. The idea was to create an Instagram-worthy photo opp for visitors. To keep the design authentic, we commissioned chalk artist, Jeff Nelson or @jephemera, to help. Check out the timelapse of his process below.

Splashing for the whole community

Posted on by
Reply

AQ - AZ - Union Park - 30

It is easy to be overwhelmed in the variety of design options offered by Aquatix by Landscape Structures. The best practice is to design your splash pad for variability and play value. Start by answering the following questions:

  • Who will use the spray park?
  • What types of spray features should you include?
  • Where is your water playground located?
  • When will the splash pad be used?

Aquatix06_blog

Create areas that cater to specific age groups. Typically, younger players enjoy a gentler water experience than older kids, while older kids prefer highly interactive features with high volumes of water. It’s also important to choose equipment at various heights so children of all abilities can reach the spray elements and engage with their peers. Overlap for different ages and abilities should be considered to provide opportunity for children to participate and play together rather than just alongside each other. All these factors help create a fully inclusive environment to welcome all children and families.

Splash pads are highly interactive facilities. Simple ground sprayers can add plenty of interactivity that meets a variety of sensory inputs. Structures like the HydraHub2 combine traditional playground structures, and all their fun with water elements. Dynamic play components provide endless aqua play excitement with dumping and splashing that provides a big payload of water plus an element of suspense. Interactive play products like the JetStream encourage kids to experience water in novel ways through game-based events and innovative cause-and effect activities. Users of all ages can experience a variety of water flows, sprays or mists to run through with water products like the RippleRun.

Splash pads are fun play environments. However, designers can maximize the play experience through color, spray patterns and interactive elements. Through thoughtful design, a fun and colorful splash pad can tell a story and guide users through the environment. Spray parks can incorporate the history and culture of the surrounding neighborhood with themes. And even better, themed spray parks may encourage imaginative play among children as they interact with the splash play products.

Aquatix04_Blog

Lights can be added to components to create accents that transform the splash pad space into a visual experience at night. Some parks have set their splash pads to become water and light shows during evening hours to maintain interest in the space.

Learn more about designing a fun and safe water playground for everyone.

Case Study: Honoring Paco Sanchez Through Play

Posted on by
1

CO-Paco Sanchez Park-171

Case Study: Honoring Paco Sanchez Through Play

 

Client:  Denver Parks and Recreation

CO-Paco Sanchez Park-35

Goal: Engage with citizens to find the right design to honor the community and local heroes while revitalizing the underutilized space into an  eye-catching destination to be used for years to come.

CO-Paco Sanchez Park-162

Solution: Community members, Denver parks and Recreation, and Landscape Structures Inc communicated and collaborated to come up with the design of Paco Sanchez park featuring a custom microphone component to pay homage to local DJ Paco Sanchez while promoting health and wellness within the community through play. An elevated bridge to the tower allows children and adults of all abilities to experience structure. This created a park environment where locals and people outside the area would be drawn to its unique design and functionality. The success of the park has become an example for other areas to take note of for how to keep communities active.

CO-Paco Sanchez Park-138

Click to read the full story of Paco Sanchez Park

Case Study: Play Reimagined

Posted on by
1

PacoSanchez-Blog01

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.

PacoSanchez-Blog03

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.

Create word-of-mouth legendary playgrounds

Posted on by
Reply

PLAYBook2019_Blog

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

Posted on by
Reply

Booth02_blog

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.

[wpvideo uctT6I2d]

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.