Adding musical play equipment to your playground isn’t just fun—it’s a game-changer!
Adding musical play equipment to your playground isn’t just fun—it’s a game-changer!
Freenotes Harmony Park offers beautifully designed, durable, and weatherproof instruments that bring the magic of real musical sounds to any outdoor space. From playful chimes to sophisticated drums and xylophones, these instruments create an inclusive, sensory-rich experience for all ages and abilities. Music play encourages creativity, social interaction, and cognitive development, making it both educational and entertaining. Whether in parks, schools, or community spaces, musical play turns any playground into an interactive symphony of joy!
Adding musical instruments to your space creates an exciting and interactive way for children to express themselves, explore new sounds, and develop cognitive skills through play. Freenotes Harmony Park instruments are fun, creative, and educational, making them a perfect addition to any playground.
To find the right fit for your space, you can listen to instrument sound samples directly on the Freenotes website or scan the QR codes in the catalog for an instant preview. These instruments are also an excellent choice for inclusive, all-abilities playgrounds, as they are designed to be easily accessible so everyone can join in the fun!
We have been implementing musical play into our designs for years! Here are a few of our projects that chose to add Freenotes Harmony Park.
You can take advantage of our playground instant rebate promotion from September 16th, 2024, to November 10th, 2024.
It doesn't matter if you are requesting pricing for a new project or already have it in the works with your LuckyDog Recreation Creative Play Designer; you can take advantage of these savings.
You can save anywhere from 10% - 25% on your playground project! Contact your territories Creative Play Designer for more information.
*It must be ordered by midnight on November 10th, 2024, and must ship upon completion of manufacturing. Inquire about LDR storing your equipment until you are ready for installation.
Playground designs have evolved significantly over the years, emphasizing the promotion of imaginative play and physical development in children and teenagers. Innovative designs are now achievable thanks to our collaboration with Playcraft Systems and their Net Effects line, which enables us to construct distinctive and adaptable playgrounds.
Keeping teens active and healthy is a significant challenge in today's society. The allure of technology and the prevalence of cell phones often lead to a decrease in outdoor activities. However, it's crucial to remember that physical exertion is what their bodies and minds need, not just what they crave. It's essential for their overall well-being.
Providing physically challenging options for older children is rare in Middle and High Schools, but that doesn't have to be the case. TrekFit has created many products that allow children to "play" but do not seem to be at a regular playground. TrekFit's products increase strength, agility, flexibility, and heart rate.
Coming Soon to Jerome Middle School in Jerome, Idaho!
LuckyDog Recreation June Newsletter
Spark Joy With A Themed Playground
When working with a professional playground designer, you can transform a themed playground into an entire experience by incorporating murals, themed surfacing, themed components, and independent toys. Let your LuckyDog Recreation Play Designer help you create an immersive and enjoyable play space without breaking the bank.
Imagine a playground that not only provides fun but also sparks physical activity, creativity, and imagination in children. A themed playground offers precisely this - an enchanting world where play and storytelling blend seamlessly. Each swing, slide, and climbing frame becomes a part of a greater narrative, immersing children in a world of their own making. The benefits are numerous: enhanced imaginative play, improved social skills, and increased physical activity, all contributing to the holistic development in children.
While each playground project has unique aspects, most clients can expect certain costs when planning their new playground. We've created a "cheat sheet" to help answer the famous question: "How do I budget for this?" If you're ever in need of further clarification or have any queries, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.
Our website is a treasure trove of resources available to aid you in various stages of your purchasing journey. Among these resources, you'll find our white papers - comprehensive guides specifically created to help you make informed decisions about your purchases.
Not only do they guide you through the buying process, but they also offer insights into long-term maintenance, ensuring your playground stays safe and fun for years to come. Remember, these valuable resources are always at your disposal. Find more...
LuckyDog Recreation April Newsletter
Playground Drainage - A Crucial Investment for Play Equipment Preservation
Good drainage is crucial to the longevity and functionality of playground safety surface systems. Whether using loose-fill products, such as engineered wood fiber or rubber chips, or unitary surfaces, such as synthetic turf or poured-in-place rubber, the playground area needs proper water drainage. Most people involved in playground design and construction know the importance of moving water away from the play area. However, designers need to understand how a particular drainage system will affect the playground during and after construction.
When working with a professional playground designer, you can transform a themed playground into an entire experience by incorporating murals, themed surfacing, themed components, and independent toys. Let your LuckyDog Recreation Play Designer help you create an immersive and enjoyable play space without breaking the bank.
Imagine a playground that not only provides fun but also sparks physical activity, creativity, and imagination in children. A themed playground offers precisely this - an enchanting world where play and storytelling blend seamlessly. Each swing, slide, and climbing frame becomes a part of a greater narrative, immersing children in a world of their own making. The benefits are numerous: enhanced imaginative play, improved social skills, and increased physical activity, all contributing to the holistic development in children.
At Luckydog Recreation, we take pride in our unique and innovative approach to themed playground design. We are thrilled to showcase some of the exceptional playgrounds we have created over the years, each one a testament to our commitment to creating immersive and enjoyable play spaces.
IDAHO - Stuart Park in Inkom, Idaho - Leslie Smith Idaho's Creative Play Designer designed this Nature-themed playground that matches the beautiful Idaho scenery.
UTAH It’s a scene from a Hollywood Wild West movie in Grantsville, UT at Hollywood Park. In case you not sure you’re in Hollywood? Just look at the palm trees. See this month’s News for another cool Themed-playground in Grantsville. Watch Video
WYOMING Undine Park, City of Laramie, WY. This Castle-Theme playground shows off what you can do with surfacing to enhance the theme. Watch Video
In conclusion, children crave mental and physical stimulation and what is better than the gift of play. Themed playgrounds engage the mind, resulting in increased interactivity and prolonged play year after year. Start your journey today with creative Playcraft Systems designs.
With tradeshow season upon us, we look forward to engaging with you about new products and projects you have coming up. We've undergone a transition and have new team members eager to meet you! Listed below are the shows you will find us at this spring.
URPA: Save the date! URPA will be held from March 11th to 13th in St. George, Utah. Visit our booth for a chance to win a free CPSI Playground Inspection in our exclusive raffle. We're bringing the fun with cornhole! Join us for some friendly competition, laughter, and a chance to win exciting prizes. We look forward to seeing you there!
ASLA: March 27th & 28th in Logan, Utah - Mark your calendars for ASLA Utah. Join us at the Riverwoods Conference Center for an amazing experience. Engage with our team, and discover how we can elevate your projects. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your operations and potentially save costs. See you there!
IRPA: Join us at our booth! Save the date for IRPA, the premier trade show event happening from April 1st to 4th, 2024, in the charming city of Lewiston, Idaho. We're excited to invite you to be part of this dynamic experience. The Idaho team is ready and eager to connect you! Also don't miss out on our very own Idaho playground specialist Leslie Smith, CPSI presenting, "Fostering Inclusivity at Your Park Playground."
Terrain Effects by Playcraft Systems
Prefabricated mounds, a new product exclusively from LuckyDog Recreation and Playcraft Systems, offer limitless opportunities for playground design. They provide various configuration options, including standalone structures, standalone structures equipped with slides or climbers, and ones integrated with posts and decks. Read more...
Have Questions? Connect with your Creative Play Designer TODAY! (800) 388-2196
Playground Drainage – A Crucial Investment for Play Equipment Preservation
Good drainage is crucial to the longevity and functionality of playground safety surface systems. Whether using loose-fill products, such as engineered wood fiber or rubber chips, or unitary surfaces, such as synthetic turf or poured-in-place rubber, the playground area needs proper water drainage. Most people involved in playground design and construction know the importance of moving water away from the play area. However, designers need to understand how a particular drainage system will affect the playground during and after construction.
All drainage systems are not created equal. Drainage for a playground in Las Vegas, Nevada, for example, will be different than a drainage system that's in Orlando, Florida. When in doubt, consult a local water expert who can ascertain how much drainage is needed for a particular climate and how much water, on average, will enter your playground surfacing area at any given time. For example, moving water via an entire "drain field" designed to exit into a more extensive drainage system in Orlando, Florida, makes perfect sense. In Las Vegas, such a system may be less comprehensive.
A playground area should be designed as something other than water collection points for the buildings or groundwater surrounding a playground. The accompanying photo shows water from the roof of the school building draining onto the asphalt area, which in turn drains into the playground protective area. Over half the water at this school is being discharged into the playground surfacing, rendering it unusable at certain times a year. Additionally, it can cause wood fiber displacement, premature wood rotting, and growth of insects and mold in the wood surfacing.
Solution, a sump pit inside the playground protective area is a common and economical way to address drainage concerns. A sump pit consists of a hole dug a certain length, width, and depth. The hole is then covered with a geotextile fabric and filled with drainage rock. To avoid interference with the footing layout provided by the playground equipment manufacturer, designers should show sump pits to be installed outside the fall zone to avoid interfering with play equipment footer placement.
While designers may add a slope to the play area to aid drainage, slopes greater than 1 or 2 degrees can create further problems for the installer. Unless precisely planned with the slope in mind, modular playgrounds are designed to be installed on level ground. For example, suppose there is a 2' slope in the distance of a forty-foot-long play structure with toys such as slides at opposite ends. In that case, one slide exit will be on or below ground level, while the other could be higher than 11", making both exits out of compliance.
Solution, the intentionality of the slope needs to be discussed in the design stage. Equipment designers and manufacturers can adjust for slope and even encourage equipment to be installed at different levels as part of the fun and function of the playground. Read more here.
In the late 1980s, prefabricated playground equipment was still in the infant stages. A set of plans showing a drainage design consisting of a layer of drainage rock throughout the playground protective area was not uncommon; it was widely used. However, geotextile fabric was exposed and ripped in high-traffic areas without regular surfacing maintenance, causing the drainage rock to contaminate the loose fill safety surfacing.
Additionally, a layer of drainage rock used throughout the play area can interfere with the structural integrity of the playground equipment footings. Play equipment manufacturers engineer their uprights and accompanying toys to be installed at a specific depth in native soil, not gravel or drainage rock. For example, a toy is designed to have an eighteen-inch footing, but 6" is used up in drainage rock, leaving only a 12".
This error renders the equipment out of compliance but often goes unnoticed because it is underground. It can even void the manufacturer's warranty. When the integrity of the footings is compromised, they can twist and go out of plumb, causing undue stress and premature breaking of toys. In turn, the life span of the equipment is shortened. And all because the footers were not installed in a solid footing. Think about that!
Solution, using a French drain or trench systems instead of a layer of drainage rock is now recommended. A trench that is dung along the lowest point of the playground protective area, is filled with geotextile fabric and gravel. This allows the water a place to go below grade to prevent water pooling in the playground pit.
In summary, consider the local climate and the playground equipment manufacturer's installation specs for your drainage system to perform correctly. Do not use the play area to discharge the surrounding water runoff. The goal is to move water away from the playground area without compromising the stability of the footings and manufacturer equipment height requirements.
