The 2026 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference in Philadelphia brought together thousands of parks and recreation professionals to explore new ideas, connect with industry partners, and celebrate the power of play.
For Landscape Structures, NRPA 2026 was a week full of excitement. We showcased Smart PlayÂŽ Volo Pico+â˘, celebrated an award from KABOOM!, and connected with customers and friends at The Franklin Institute.
Throughout the conference, one thing stood out: The parks and recreation community shares our passion for creating spaces that bring people together.
Here’s what we saw, heard and loved.
A record crowd with constant energy
More than 8,000 people attended this year’s conference, and our team felt it from the very first morning.
In some years, the booth traffic comes in waves. This year, it felt constant.
Longtime customers stopped by to reconnect with their Landscape Structures consultants. Meanwhile, plenty of first-time visitors discovered our brand and explored our playground, splash play and shade solutions.
The weather helped, too. “It was gorgeous out, and everyone was excited to be there,” said Sandy Swanson, event specialist at Landscape Structures. “The vibe in the conference hall was so positive.”
A booth you had to walk all the way around
Our booth sat in the middle of the exhibit hall, and it was hard to miss. Tall walls with bold messaging framed a bright, colorful Smart PlayŽ Volo Pico+⢠playstructure. From the aisle, visitors could only see part of it, making them want to step inside and discover the rest.
Once they did, there was plenty more to explore.
LED walls showcased playgrounds, splash pads and communities from across the country. A color wall highlighted the inspiration behind our nature-based palettes, showcasing shades like Berry, Paprika, Honey and Peacock.
Visitors could ride down a slide built into the bleachers. At the activity counter, they picked up postcards, pins, bags, mini backpack charm bags and chocolates. More than once, we heard that it was the best activity counter at the show.
“It was much more of an experience than a product display,” said Megan Andrada, director of marketing at Landscape Structures.
That matters. “People remember how they feel. They don’t always remember how things look,” Sandy said. Our goal is simple: We want a visit to our booth to feel like a visit to a playground.
Volo Pico+ was the â
One of the biggest highlights of NPRA 2026 was the introduction of Volo Pico+ to the parks and recreation community. Designed specifically for children ages 2 to 5, Volo Pico+ made its second major industry appearance just one week after previewing at ASLA.
At NRPA, it quickly became the main topic of conversation in our booth. “There wasn’t a lot of explanation needed,” Megan said. “There was just a lot of positivity”. Visitors loved how easy it is for adults to move through the structure alongside children. The die-cast car track sparked plenty of nostalgia, while others pointed out that there is something to do from every angle, not just a slide at the end. The colors drew attention, too. Again and again, visitors stopped to talk about the palette and how inviting the entire structure felt.
The response reinforced an important idea behind early childhood playground design: Thoughtful details can create more opportunities for children and caregivers to play, connect and explore together.
A Spark Award from KABOOM!
NRPA week brought another exciting moment for Landscape Structures.
During the conference, we were honored to receive a 2026 Spark Award from KABOOM!, an organization dedicated to ensuring all kids have access to the play they need to thrive.
The award was a meaningful reminder of why we do what we do.
While innovative playground equipment and inspiring projects often take center stage at industry events, the conversations throughout the week kept coming back to the same thing: Play is life-changing.
Conversations that stayed with us
Some of the best moments had nothing to do with products. During booth setup, an NRPA show coordinator stopped by to find Sandy. She pulled out her phone and shared photos of herself and her nephew playing on a Landscape Structures playground in Connecticut.
“We had the most fun,” she said.
Another longtime industry professional stopped by simply to reconnect with the team. He shared stories about knowing Landscape Structures founders Barb and Steve King for decades and spent time catching up with David Smith, senior vice president of sales at Landscape Structures.
Everyone knows how to play, and almost everyone has a playground story.
That’s what makes these conversations so meaningful. Behind every playground project are people, memories and connections that extend far beyond the equipment itself.
A book signing in the booth
The Landscape Structures booth also welcomed Jamie Sabbach, founder and president of 110% Inc. for a book signing.
Jamie is the author of The Bison Principle: Clarity, Discipline, and Courage in Local Government Through the Lens of Parks and Recreation. A well-known voice in the parks and recreation industry, Jamie brought new faces into the booth and sparked meaningful conversations throughout the event.
Landscape Structures has proudly sponsored her Financial Sustainability Certification Program for several years. The book signing offered another opportunity to highlight that partnership and connect with industry professionals who share a passion for strengthening parks and recreation agencies.
Nothing About Us Without Us
The week’s conversations extended beyond the show floor.
Landscape Structures’ Jill Moore, inclusive play specialist, and Scott Roschi, creative director, led a discussion titled âNothing About Us Without Us”. Their discussion focused on the importance of involving people with disabilities in the playground design process.
The session explored how designers can learn from lived experiences, gather meaningful feedback and create play environments that serve a wide range of abilities. Itâs an approach that reflects our commitment to inclusive play and a belief that everyone deserves opportunities to participate.
The takeaway was clear: The most inclusive playgrounds are created with communities, not just for them.
A party in a museum made for curiosity
Our customer celebration took over The Franklin Institute, welcoming more than 2,000 guests for an evening of exploration, conversation and celebration. Food and drinks were spread throughout the museum, giving guests the freedom to wander, reconnect with colleagues and discover exhibits at their own pace.
“Usually a party can be an open bar and some tables,” Sandy said. “This was fun for everyone”. The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial glowed purple in the rotunda. Nearby, a large screen nearby displayed a message we believe deeply: Play is life-changing. Guests collected buttons along the way, and the event t-shirts were a hit.
The museum itself felt like a perfect fit. Many of the exhibits are designed to make big ideas tangible through hands-on experiences and curiosity-driven exploration. That’s the same philosophy behind the playgrounds we create.
See you at the next one!
From innovative playground design and inclusive play conversations to reconnecting with industry friends, NRPA 2026 reminded us why this community matters. We left Philadelphia with new connections, renewed friendships and plenty of inspiration for the playgrounds ahead.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, played, chatted and celebrated with us.
Want to see what everyone was talking about? Explore Smart Play Volo Pico+ and discover new possibilities for early childhood play.
Or find your local Landscape Structures consultant to start planning your next play space.
