Case Study: Play Reimagined

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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.

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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.

Creating healthy, active kids

In the past four decades, obesity rates in the U.S. have soared. This increase is seen most dramatically among youth. More than 23 million children and teenagers ages 2 to 19 are considered obese or overweight—a statistic that health experts consider an epidemic. While these stats seem dismal, opportunities exist to make changes. And September—Childhood Obesity Awareness Month—is a great time to take action.

At Landscape Structures, we create play products that encourage children of all abilities to get outside, play together and be healthy. Our Cofounder Barb King (1946-2008) was passionate about showing kids how to lead healthier lives and to appreciate nature, which is why she created the Säjai® Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching children the value of living a healthier life by encouraging them to experience the outdoors, be active and make smart nutrition choices. Establishing the Säjai Foundation was one of Barb’s greatest achievements, and the Foundation is proud to continue her work.

The Säjai Foundation is hosting the Amazing Walk! on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the North Mississippi Regional Park in Minneapolis. The Amazing Walk! isn’t your typical 5K. During the event, you can try your hand at geocaching, parkour, dancing, wall-climbing and much more. This is the Foundation’s second annual Amazing Walk!, which is intended to help bring awareness to the work being done to battle childhood obesity.

Learn more about the Säjai Foundation and its Wise Kids programs, and get registered to participate in the Amazing Walk!