Course Title: NatureGrounds?EUR??'??: Design/Install Trends in Commercial Play Environments

Biography:

Tom Norquist is the Senior Vice President of Product Development, Sales and Marketing for GameTime. As a founding board member and immediate past President of the International Play Equipment Manufacturer?EUR??,,??s Association (IPEMA), and long-term active American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) representative, Tom has been involved in all aspects of the play industry. He actively participated in the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board He serves on the Board for the International Playground Contractor?EUR??,,??s Association and served from 2002-2004 on the Advisory Board for the National Program for Playground Safety. He is also involved in the (Access Board) Recreation Access Advisory Committee and Regulatory Negotiation meetings and is currently serving on the advisory panel for the Access Board?EUR??,,??s on-line Technical Assistance and Training for Play Area Accessibility. He is a skilled marketer, product innovator and children?EUR??,,??s advocate for safe, creative and fun play. He is known for his boundless energy, and his heartfelt love for an understanding of children at play.

Course Title: NatureGrounds?EUR??'??: Design/Install Trends in Commercial Play Environments

Course Description: Research reveals a strong link between children?EUR??,,??s experiences of nature and their psychological well-being and overall development. It is imperative that we find ways to reconnect children and communities with nature. This session will review best practice principles of designing outdoor environments that motivate children to move more, explore nature, increase interactions, and develop an appreciation of the world around them.

Design resource guides that implement research based practices, developed in partnership with the Natural Learning Initiative, a research and extension program of North Carolina State University will be highlighted. This session will include research about the importance of integrating both worlds, demonstrate how to implement best practice principles of design for new construction and retro-fitting current play environments, using site topography, to enhance play value and to add aesthetic quality, ideas for selecting child friendly planting materials, and discuss strategies for overcoming potential barriers. Participants will walk away with many educational resources, funding sources, and ideas of how to get started!

Schedule subject to change