It’s National Playground Safety Week, and there’s no better time to read up on some of the most important aspects of playground safety: audits and maintenance! Understanding the difference and the components of the two can help you create a safe, up to date play space for all ages and abilities!
Check us out on playlsi.com to read more about staying safe on the playground!
Though inclusivity and accessibility are concepts used interchangeably, there are in fact many differences between the two ideas. Landscape Structures proudly boasts of inclusive design in their products- but what is the difference?
Understanding what makes accessibility and inclusivity different comes down to considering the user of the design.
Accessibility matches the need of a user in a singular context. Accessible design is specific in that it considers a single context, problem, user, and experience. A resource may be inaccessible to one group in the way that it is accessible to another. It removes a roadblock from one group’s path.
Inclusivity creates an environment or experience designed so that it is usable by people of a variety of abilities, in many scenarios, alongside differently abled people. Inclusivity provides the tools for a user to choose the experience that best fits their situation and ability.
Landscape Structures believes in creating play experiences for children of all physical and mental abilities, in all aspects of physical, social and sensory play. Inclusive play is an open invitation for children to learn alongside those both similar and different from them- shaping the next generation of leaders and thinkers for the better.
To learn more about inclusive design or find an inclusive playground near you, visit our website.
Introducing: The Crab Trap™! The Crab Trap™ invites children to take part in endless climbing options. Climbing experiences vary based on whether players are inside or outside the structure while a variety of components add an additional layer of interest and experiences. Between the outside climbing capabilities and inside options, play is endless in the Crab Trap™.
The open ended play set-up excites a kid’s creativity and encourages the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Maneuvering from challenge to challenge retains interest with even players older in age. The Crab Trap aids in the development in a variety of areas: sensory, motor skills, cognitive skills, and social/emotional skills.
Available in Hot Galvanized Steel for coastal environments as well as having steel enforced cables, the Crab Trap™ is resistant to vandalism, sun, and other environmental damage for a longer life and more pleasing visual aesthetics for years to come!
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.
Bring your playground vision to life with new playground products and inspirations offered exclusively from Landscape Structures. Browse the 2019 new products below, then contact us to help you create engaging and educational play experiences that are sure to exceed your community’s expectations.
We-Go-Round™
This next-generation merry-go-round offers plenty of space for more kids of all abilities.
Crab Trap™
Accommodate lots of kids all at once with lots of opportunities to climb, crawl and hang out.
Super Netplex®
Deliver the most popular Netplex activities with added height that everyone can enjoy.
Chill™ Spinner
Provide a comfortable and secure ride to individuals of all ages for thrills or relaxation.
Curva™ Spinner
This stunning and fun spinner provides a stable base for one or multiple kids at a time.
Vibra™ Chimes
The lowest notes in the Rhapsody® collection, choose one up to all eight chimes throughout your play space.
Cascata™ Bells
Individuals of all ages and abilities can create 10 different tones on this vertically designed musical instrument.
Tongue Drum
Deliver more drumming fun in this standard and junior-sized Rhapsody Outdoor Musical Instrument.
And don’t forget to watch our newest video above, which shows how play helps build inner strength and pride in kids. Plus, browse or request our 2019 Playground Equipment Catalog to find even more inspiration for creating great play spaces.
We design playstructures to complement their surroundings. But more than that, we design them to complement childhood. Every aesthetic choice is also a choice for fun, for growth, for learning, for exploration. All the things that make play part of shaping better adults. And that’s what really matters.
You’ll find everything you need to complete your play environment. From new products to featured designs, individual components and fitness equipment, we’ll ensure your play space is everything you imagine and more. Browse our 2019 Playground Catalog, then request a copy.
Give kids and families much-needed heat and sun protection while visiting any play, rest or activity area. From small to big shade, decorative to themed shade, we have flexible and stylish options for everywhere people like to gather. Browse the SkyWays® Shade Products virtual catalog, then request a copy.
Our imaginative designs continue to advance the world of dynamic water events—achieving new levels of chilling thrills, challenging interactive games and inventive water-based activities. Invite kids and families of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the brilliance of an Aquatix® water experience. Browse the 2019 Aqua Play Catalog, then request a copy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBsHikZcRg]
Play is powerful. It instills important values like leadership, perseverance and cooperation in kids. That’s why we design playgrounds that add value to kids’ experiences, and bring individuals of all ages and abilities together for play. Play is everything, and no matter our age, we come back to what we know… Play will always shape us.
We are proud to lead the conversation about the power of play with this video, and want to help you lead the conversation in your communities. Request a download of our Video Discussion Guide here.
Help us spread the important message heard in this video by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues on social media. And be sure to tell us how play has shaped your life using #shapedbyplay.
At this special time of year, we would like to thank you for partnering with us to shape children’s lives through play. Together, we’re creating amazing play spaces for individuals of all ages and abilities.
And that is something to celebrate!
Happy holidays from all of us at Landscape Structures, Aquatix and SkyWays.
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]
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.
