HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout_Workshop_06/05/2007 (2)s-=
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unng weekends park officials have
Write 110 on reader inquiry fax card reported seeing more than 1,000 visitors
~' ~'°~~.,<. Rectangular, '
.~ Square, lives. Common recreational structures
'°'rwe~t.- '~ -' ~~ '~ " include innovative playgrounds for
and Round. itQ's:
- _ Portably "' ~- younger children, climbing structures such
end Stationary. as boulders or walls for middle-aged chil-
e ~'~ Wheelchair ;~ ,~• y' dren, skateparks where adolescents can
);iJ- ~ practice skating or biking treks, and well-
~ ,t,,;,_. Atxessible i Hess stations arranged along walking paths
~•- ~• and Standard. to help older adults enhance muscular, car-
LUmber, ! 's diovascular and respiratory wellness.
Aluminum, - As interest in destination parks conlin-
' Recycled Plastic ~-'-'"~ ~._,; ues to grow, park planners are fuming to
°~' ,, and Vinyl Coated
}~~ ~,.,,~,-~,~o_ recently developed parks as models, such
~ ,-~ r'-~ --~ PIIOI FZO~CK ~~'° es me r.,cw~sburg Area Recreation Park in
has your ... ~ ` ~ Lewisburg, Pa. The Lewisburg pazk is a
Picnic Table. wrp~y~ ~ r tt d state-of-the-art facility complete with mul-
~.~ --:?!~ s'..'~ ~ [iple playgrounds for varying ages, a
` ~ I skatepark, climbing structures and well-
Hess stations, coupled with a swimming
pool and tennis courts.
P O R. J. Thomss Mfg. Co., Inc. • P 0. Box 946 • Cherokee. w 510:2-0946 Since its grand opening, [he park has
J{! Ph-. 800-7625002 • 71&2255115 • Fax. 712-2255796
:AMP • 97REET E-mall: PIIo~xM®rJthoma.~um• W¢y,~le ~, become a magnet for the CommUmt
EpUIPMENT -pllotrock<om D y
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iURFACE~iAQ~~C~.
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- GUEST COLUMN
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Community Impact
The power of multigenerational
destination parks
MATT MILLER
icture. your neighborhood playground. It's probably located at a park or
a school. and has remained relatively the same for years- Although
playgrounds may rarely change, the playground industry is far from
stagnant. In fact, continual research on [he benefits of play and 5tness
influences playground construction and trends yearly.
One trend in playground design is the multigenerational destination park-a cus-
tom-designed park created to promote
- play, fun and fimess for people of all ages
and abilities. Unlike standard playgrounds,
which are built solely with children m
® ® mind, multigenerational destination parks
provide an outdoor environment with mul-
tiple activities to encourage every member
of a community to use the park's ameni-
~. - ties leading to more active and connected
per day. Some kids spend their entire days
there, not wanting to leave because of all
the available activities. The park also has
drawn visitors from surrounding commu-
nities, as well as tourists from other pans
~ of the state who want to experience this
new breed of destination recreation.
Although the extensive layout of the
s:#
destination pazk is a great attraction for
® /,/.j~~Pj,~,A, visitors, a number of benefits make it an
~,/ ~(-~d e / appealing component for the well-being of
... featuring the mdustrys an entire community.
~;
toughest wear layer
and longest warranty.
Ul' Op'"
... synthetic grass with
infill for a natural look
and lasting durability.
Wnte 111 on reader inquiry fax card
12 '~ MARCN 200'
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UVeliness awareness
The initial effect the Lewrsburg Area Recreation Park had on IIs community o~as
greater awareness of and interest ur living healthy lifestyles. Studies find that people
are more inclined to slay committed to regular physical nctivrty if they have a net-
work of friends participating together. This is especially true among older adults who
might not be as confident in their physical abilities,. or among teenagers who are
learning challenging nzw stunts
Organizations such as the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (L.ARA), which
was instrumental in developing the Lewisburg park, are helping cuizens utilize
their local parks with educational programs that provide instruction on how to prop-
erly use the park's equpment. Months afrer the grand opening of the Lewisburg
destination park, LARA worked with a local hospital to start a I,tfeTrail Club The
program grants participants access to health lectures and personal onentation ses-
sions designed to famrlianze them wrth wellness equipment on the walking paths.
Ideally. outreach programs like these can introduce residents to the park's equip-
ment, making them feel more comfortable using rt and helping promote lifelong
wellness for park users of all ages.
~.conomic boost
An additional benefit of a destination
park is the possibility for stimulating
the local economy. The Lewisburg park,
for example, is a public-puvate partner-
shtp centered on a mutual goal to better
a community.
Because of rhea wide appeal, destina-
tion parks can put a town on the map
and increase traffc to other nearby
attractions Ltke any new attraction, a
destination park will initially draw curi-
ous patrons simply because t[ is new.
Once established, the desunahon park
not only becomes its town's staple of
recreation, but also shares its success
with the entire community by increasing
traffic to existing businesses and stimu-
lating new business growth.
As the local economy becomes increas-
ingly active, property values also may
increase. According to a study conducted
by The Trust for Public Land in Salem,
Ore., urban land located directly next to a
greenbelt was wonh $1.200 more per acre
than urban land only 1,000 feet away.
Over time, the enhanced recreational area
and more active local economy created by
the park will attract new families and cou-
ples lookrng to relocate and businesses
hoping to expand-
Community unity
According to park planners who
assisted m the Lewisburg project, the
park has sparked strong community spir-
itthat extends far beyond the borders of
the park. One of the park's greatest
atvibutes is that it fosters involvement of
the ensue community. ,
Parks give people a place to meet others
who share similar interests, are im~olved
at [he same schools, cheer for the same
spores teams and frequent the same gro-
cery stores or restaurants. Destination
parks take this function a step further by
attracting more people of more drfferent
ages than a typical park and then help
them connect through activities that cater
to their individual ages and interests. The
result is a tight-knit community that
prides itself on the common relationships,
businesses and public facilities it shares-
The suppon and enthusiasm from the
local community was one of the most
important components to the construction
of the Lewisburg park. Not only has the
park given residents an innovative facility
in which they can socialize, but a place
where they can continue to build strong
community tits while encouraging play
and healthy Lving-
As we move toward a new generation
WWW.RECMANA6EM ENT.C0M 13
of public parks, expect to see more large landscapes m line with the concept of the
nmlhgenerational destination park. These parks can completely revitalize the physi-
cal, relational and eeonomre well-being of an emire community, making them a major
trend m future park developments. pm
a, ~ ~t a
Matt Mlller is president of Playworld Systems Inc., a leading
manufacturer of commercial playground equipment. During his
12 years in the industry, Miller has traveled the country to review
and study playgrounds, and explore how children learn and develop
through play. He has been a trainer at several regional and national
conferences on topics such as risk management, playground
safety and playground design. For more information,
see www.playworldsystems.com.
FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION Of THIS STORY, VISIT WWW.AECMANAGEMENT.COM
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