Glen Lake Elementary School

Minnetonka, MN USA

Visit This Playground

Elevated view of a elementary school playground with road way paths designed into the ground surfacing.

Video features an inclusive playground by Landscape Structures at Glen Lake Elementary in Minnetonka Minnesota.

[video: full elevated view of children playing on a school playground. A girl giggles as she rides down a roller slide. A group of children wave through a bubble panel. A man stands in front of the playground and speaks to the camera. White text in lower left corner reads “Jeff Radel, Principal of Glen Lake Elementary, Hopkins, MN”.]

Jeff: The project started with some staff wanting to add some equipment or two. And we wrote a grant through Hopkins Education Foundations.

[video: Jeff and several students seated in wheelchairs smile and pose for a photo while receiving their grant check.]

Jeff voiceover: And our kids got wind that this grant was granted to us and so their question was why can’t we do the whole playground.

[video: children do a breaking ground ceremony with shovels. A crowd of students sit on the playground area listening to the principal speak. A boy in his wheelchair holds onto a hand hold as other children and a teacher push the large swaying boat like activity on the new playground.]

Jeff voiceover: The kid’s ideas, we talk about the power of Yes. We said as long as we can say Yes and just figure a way to make it happen. From that point on they were involved in the design process. And each kid has their own unique gifts and skills sets that they brought to this project.

[video: children play all over a play structure. A boy runs and pushes his friend in his wheelchair following a road designed in the playground surfacing. Children run and play at different activities around them. A group of children ride together on a carousel spinner. A line of boys take turns making their way across a monkey bar set. A boy uses mallets to play a large outdoor musical chime set.]

Jeff voiceover: From that point on they were involved in the fundraising, they were involved in the design process and each kid has their own unique gifts and skills set that they brought to this project.

Jeff: So, playgrounds like this are hard to find. We think it’s pretty special that families can come from outside of our school district. To come and enjoy it.

Jeff voiceover: And so, we hope that this can gain momentum for other schools and other districts to get more equipment because this is what’s right for our children and they deserve this.

[video: a grandmother holds onto her grandson with special needs as they ride a multi-person see-saw. A girl wheels herself through a sensory tunnel. A group of girls ride together on a stand-up spinner. Scene fades out and back into a full elevated view of the children playing all over the playground. Screen jumps to white as a black line draws itself center screen. The Flagship Recreation logo slides out to the right of the line as the Landscape Structure logo slides out to the left. Video ends.]

Playground Details

Age Ranges

5 to 12 years

Play Styles

Traditional
Inclusive Play

Product Lines/ Categories

Min Area Required

73' x 82' (22,25 m x 24,99 m)

Max Fall Height

96" (2,44 m)

Design/CAD Files for this Playground

Design Standards

Contact your consultant to verify that this playground design meets current design standard requirements or to modify for other design standards.

Bridges & Ramps

Motion & More Fun

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Sensory Play

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Swings

Climbers

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Overhead Events

Site Furnishings

Custom

This playground includes a variety of custom elements and/or customized product(s). Please contact your local playground consultant for additional details.

Enclosures & Accessible Reach Panels

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Roofs

CoolToppers® Single Post Pyramid Roof

Slides & Gliders

For more information about items included in this playground

Contact Your Consultant

Glen Lake Elementary School’s playground is a vibrant, inclusive space that has transformed recess for all students, thanks to the incredible efforts of a dedicated class. After noticing their classmates sitting on the sidelines due to inaccessible playground equipment, the students asked their teacher how they could help—and their fundraising journey began. Their hard work and determination made this inclusive playground a reality, ensuring every child can join in on the fun.

The ramped playstructure is packed with exciting features, including a rollerslide, sensory tunnel, Sway Fun® glider, climbers, bridges, overhead events, slides and interactive play panels. Kids of all abilities can come together for an endless amount of exploration and play. Beyond the main structure, a variety of inclusive play elements ensure every child can participate. Highlights include the We-Go-Swing®, We-Go-Round® and We-saw®, which promote cooperative play, as well as the Sensory Play Center® and Roller Table for engaging sensory activities. The Double Oodle® Swing and Cozy Dome® provide unique spaces for social interaction or quiet moments. Students can also unleash their creativity with the Rhapsody® Outdoor Musical Instruments, all while staying cool with the SkyWays® integrated shade sails. Most importantly, every person that enters the playground space can access everything without barriers thanks to the smooth unitary surfacing.

Glen Lake Elementary School’s playground is more than just a play space—it’s a testament to the power of community, inclusivity and student-led change.

Installed: August 2024

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