What's In

by Stephen Kelly, regional editor

?EUR??,,????'??Go climb a rock!?EUR??,,????'?? used to be colorful advice. Climbing faux boulders is increasingly popular. Photo Courtesy of Huna Designs

The 22-acre Lewisburg Area Recreation Park, is part of a $2.5 million renovation project that is adding a skate park, climbing boulders, multiple playgrounds and a senior wellness path to existing park features: tennis courts, an ice skating rink, community pool and a basketball court.

As part of the renovation, Playworld Systems donated approximately $500,000 worth of equipment and other important funds to help repair roofs and correct drainage problems at the park.

The playground equipment at Inglenook Park in Southfield, Michigan, is getting $600,000 worth of upgrades, part of the Boundless Playgrounds project, which allows children of all physical abilities to play together on the same equipment. There are 18 Boundless Playgrounds in Michigan. Boundless Playgrounds is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) offered additional technical assistance and a $500,000 matching grant for the project.

Kids like something new and challenging. Photo Courtesy of Kompan

A large playground has been added for children 5-12, featuring a series of towers, slides and ladders. An adjoining playground was added to create developmentally specific activities for 1?EUR??,,????'???5 year olds. This section of the park features lower steps, smaller handholds and physically and mentally challenging playground activities.

Modular play equipment is allowing bigger, higher play equipment. Photo Courtesy of HAGS Play USA

A series of seven outdoor wellness stations designed by LifeTrail for active older adults turn a daily promenade into an opportunity to engage in a number physical endeavors to maintain and enhance endurance, flexibility, strength and balance. The stations were developed in collaboration with gerontology, kinesiology and recreation experts from Penn State University.

Circuit training stations are popular alternatives to the gym equipment.

Climbing boulders, designed with the help of professional boulder climbers, are being added to the park in five different sizes. The boulders look and feel like real rock, while the rounded edges and rock-like texture provide hand and footholds with a natural feel.

Safety surfacing today is very cool with creative and colorful designs. Interlocking safety surfacing like SofTILE KrosLOCK discourages vandalism. Photos Courtesy of SofSURFACES, Inc.

?EUR??,,????'??The park has activities for everyone to enjoy,?EUR??,,????'?? said Greg Weitzel, executive director of LARA. ?EUR??,,????'??Our goal was not only to provide active recreation for all ages, but also to create some passive leisure time activities, walking, and an environmental education component, which together will make the park a shining example for other communities across the nation.?EUR??,,????'??