Kids Around the World Makes Play Possible Everywhere!
Little Tikes Commercial Playgrounds has recently partnered with Kids Around the World, a faith-based non-profit organization that installs donated playground equipment in underprivileged countries! For over 25 years, KATW has transformed communities, schools, orphanages, refugee camps, and churches in 64 different countries by creating safe and exciting play environments for children. Little Tikes Commercial and Kids Around the World agree that play is an essential factor in the emotional, social, physical, and academic well-being of children everywhere. That’s why Little Tikes Commercial has pledged 5% of sales from a selection of play structures to be donated directly to the Kids Around the World mission.
While many aging playgrounds in our communities get replaced, the equipment still has value and potential to create new experiences in other parts of the world. From the mountains of Ecuador to the refugee camps of Uganda, kids everywhere deserve an opportunity to play and develop important social skills. Kids Around the World works with playground manufacturers, installers, Parks & Recreation directors, and school districts to locate commercial playground equipment that is due to be replaced. Their team then comes and disassembles the playground piece by piece, and refurbishes the equipment to prepare it for shipping.
Parkreation recently helped facilitate a donation from Stanger Park in Fox River Grove. This playground was removed and shipped this past May to the city of Chaing Mai, Thailand! Soon a school of 100 children will be able to enjoy the same play experience that children in Fox River Grove had. Our team is proud to support the Kids Around the World Mission, and now the partnership with Little Tikes Commercial helps offer even more support to this inspiring cause.
This Fox River Grove Playground will be installed in Chaing Mai, Thailand!
Not only does Kids Around the World refurbish and ship the playground equipment, but they also organize mission trip teams to these countries to help with the installation process. Volunteers get to see the impact these playgrounds have on the community first hand and connect with the children as the experience this type of play for the first time. Anybody can volunteer to participate in one of these mission trips, even with no building experience! Think that you have playground equipment that is ready to be donated? Please visit the Kids Around the World website to learn how you can get involved in this amazing opportunity!
Sanitize Your Playground Correctly!
Keeping your outdoor playground clean is always an important aspect of maintaining your equipment and keeping your community safe and healthy. However, with the recent Coronavirus pandemic, sanitizing commonly used surfaces is more important than ever! Although people have been instructed to “shelter in place” and many public spaces have been closed, outdoor recreation areas are still being used by people trying to take a break from isolation and get some fresh air. With schools being closed and parents working from home, it is not unlikely to think that children may end up out at their local playground.
To continue fighting the spread of the Coronavirus and keep our communities protected, we recommend that playground owners and maintenance crews do their best to keep outdoor playgrounds sanitized. Please use the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for disinfection.
The CDC recommends using diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with atleast 70% alcohol, or most common IEPA-registered household disinfectants to sanitize. Household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses, when properly diluted. To dilute, please follow these instructions:
PREPARE A BLEACH SOLUTION BY MIXING:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water OR
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
- Rinse your Little Tikes Commercial Playground equipment and let it completely dry before allowing it to be used by children or adults
WARNINGS
- Check to ensure all product are not past their expiration dates. Expired products will not disinfect properly.
- Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser!
PLEASE NOTE: Mixing ammonia and household bleach produces a toxic gas called chloramine which causes shortness of breath and chest pains.
Using the above CDC recommended solutions will not harm your Little Tikes Commercial equipment and your warranty will remain for its duration.
Our team at Parkreation hopes that you and your community are staying healthy! We are still available to assist you with upcoming projects. Please contact us with any questions.
New Tot Builders Inclusive Playground Equipment from Little Tikes Commercial!
New for 2020, Little Tikes Commercial has released a new line of Tot Builders outdoor playground equipment. Designed with 2-5 year old children in mind, these new playhouses provide imaginative and accessible fun while adding a whimsical look to your park. Our team met with child development and inclusive play experts to create an engaging play experience for children of all abilities. Best of all, these play structures feature an open line of sight for parents and guardians to observe and interact with their kids while playing. Adult interaction on the playground helps to promote safety as well as inclusive play opportunities. These play houses are large enough for multiple children to engage together in several imaginative scenarios. Whether children are playing house, store, school, or whatever else they come up with, they will have ample play value with various sensory events included on the inside and outside of the play houses.
We believe that every outdoor playground in Illinois and Indiana should provide play opportunity for young 2-5 year old children. Our Tot Builders playground equipment is an exciting and affordable way to include the youngsters in on the fun! Contact Parkreation for more information and pricing.
Community Helpers with Tunnel
First up is the Community Helpers with Tunnel. This playhouse acts as a community command center, featuring sensory elements such as a walkie talkie, a canine companion, a multi-colored skylight, and an escape slide for a fun getaway! There is also a crawl tunnel attached for another engaging way to enter the play house.
Playhouse
Up next is the Playhouse, which includes many of the features of your real home! Children will interact with the mail slot, doorbell, grill, clock, and other interactive decorations. The attention to detail in the playhouse allows children’s imaginations to run wild with play possibilities!
Silly Tree
Another Tot Builder is the Silly Tree, a cute and quirky play piece. This playhouse includes a hammock for children to lay on or walk across, along with other chimes and various creatures hidden on the panels. The Silly Tree pairs great with our other Nu-Edge natural play equipment!
Learn more about our entire Tot Builders line on the Little Tikes Commercial official website. For pricing information, please contact Parkreation!
Get an Outdoor Shade Structure Grant from the AAD!
The American Academy of Dermatology has opened applications for this upcoming year’s Shade Structure Grant Program! Dermatologists understand the threat of sun damage and skin cancer better than anyone, and that’s why they are offering a grant of up to $8,000 for the installation of a permanent outdoor shade structure! Many outdoor locations that are frequently visited by families with children do not have adequate shade structures for long days outside. Places like outdoor playgrounds, pools, sports fields, or other outdoor recreation areas should provide a place to get out of the sun and protect people from the harmful ultraviolet rays that you are exposed to outside. Since the AAD began the program in 2000, the Shade Structure Grant Program has funded 324 shade structures across the United States. That’s a lot of shade!
Understanding the importance of proper shade and sun protection is valuable, as skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers but also one of the most commonly diagnosed. Board-certified dermatologist George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, FAAD, president of the AAD, says that “Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day, Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, and there are many simple things you can do to protect yourself from the sun.” While applying water-resistant sunscreen before spending time outside is a great start to protecting yourself from sun damage, many people forget to reapply or ultimately sweat it off during long mornings and afternoons on the playground or at the pool. Having a permanent shade structure that is easily accessible at outdoor recreation facilities is the best way for people to find relief from the sun’s rays when spending time outside.
A Multi-Level Framed Sail structure from Shade Systems provides plenty of shade and curb appeal over an outdoor area!
Applications for the Shade Structure Grant Program from the American Academy of Dermatology are open until December 31, 2019. All non-profit organizations that provide services, programs, or a curriculum to children and teenagers 18 and younger are eligible to apply. To be considered for the grant, you must receive a recommendation from a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. This recommendation is important to build a new or existing relationship between the organization and dermatologist and improve their commitment to proper skin protection. More about the sponsorship requirements for the shade grant can be found here. The organization that is applying should also demonstrate a previous commitment to sun safety, whether through an educational program about the dangers of skin cancer, or simple signs and brochures available to view at outdoor public recreation areas about proper sun protection.
Lastly, the permanent shade structure must meet the AAD’s requirements. Parkreation is proud to offer permanent shade structures from two of the most dependable brands in the industry, Shade Structures and ICON Shelters, that meet these requirements.
Shade Structures CoolNet fabric screens up to 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which surpasses the AAD’s requirements while also being durable and easy to remove for the Winter weather in Illinois and Indiana.Their triangular Sail Shades are the perfect solution for areas where post locations may be limited or a stylish, modern look is suitable. We also provide excellent shade solutions for outdoor seating areas such as baseball dugouts, bleachers, or picnic areas with our cantilever shades.
For a permanent hard-top roof shade structure, look no further than ICON Shelters. Their beautiful pre-fabricated shelters, gazebos and arbors create a beautiful and functional centerpiece to any outdoor area. ICON Shelters can also create custom shelters that blend with the surrounding architecture or natural features, creating a unique place to find relief from the sun.
This ICON Shelters looks great, matches the surrounding architecture, and provides shade for dozens of people!
Contact Parkreation for more information about shade solutions, and apply for the American Academy of Dermatology’s Shade Structure Grant Program here!
Outdoor Fitness Equipment for Children
Outdoor fitness equipment has become popular with adults, but is not often seen integrated with playgrounds. Children may have some recess time to let off some steam during the school day, but they are spending more and more of their time outside of the classroom in front of a screen. During the youth development phase, it is important for kids to get outside and be physically active so they can develop muscles and skills that are necessary for a healthy life. According to a study reported by the New York Times, only 63% of children age 11 were getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day that they should be. This lack of outdoor physical exercise does not only have negative effects on children’s physical health, but may begin to affect their emotional health and cognitive skills as well. Sitting in a desk or on the couch all day develops poor lifestyle habits than may inhibit a child from reaching their potential. We would like to see more outdoor fitness equipment for children installed in schools and public parks in Illinois and Indiana to provide opportunities to get kids active!
Our outdoor fitness equipment provider, TrekFit, are trying to solve the problem of children not getting enough physical activity with exciting and fun challenges. Learn more about TrekFit’s mission in the video below!
TrekFit specializes in elegantly designed, stationary outdoor fitness equipment that can be used by all ages and athletic skill levels. Check out one of their most exciting pieces of equipment, the Cargo Net, below! This outdoor fitness obstacle looks stunning, but also provides creative challenges for both children and adults to get active and exercise. See more of our offers on our TrekFit page here!
Dive Into the Fun at Bellaboo’s in Lake Station, Indiana!
A day spent on the outdoor playground at Bellaboos in Lake Station, Indiana now feels like a Pirate adventure thanks to some amazing custom safety surfacing and outdoor shade structures from Parkreation!
Custom poured-in-place rubber surfacing from Pro-Techs was designed and installed with a variety of sea-life swimming through the surfacing. From turtles gliding down the path to the playground and sting-rays swimming beneath the bridge, there’s an impressive assortment of creatures to explore! The entire outdoor play area at Bellaboos is designed with the ocean in mind and the beautiful safety surfacing matches the wave slide and Pirate ship play structure perfectly. Not only does the poured-in-place rubber surfacing create a safe place to play, it adds to the imagination and adventure on the playground for children of all ages! Pro-Techs added other small details like currents in the sea and small schools of fish swimming throughout the safety surfacing to add to the fun!
Parkreation also provided beautiful commercial shade structures from Shade Systems Inc. that provides protection from the hot sun and looks visually striking. These SAIL shades not only fit the “Pirate” theme in name, but also match the play structure perfectly and provide ample shade during peak sun hours. The perfect complement to this fun outdoor play area, the Shade Systems Sail Shade offers a nice place to drop anchor!
We love using our imagination to create custom projects like the Bellaboos outdoor play area. We can help you develop ideas for your next exciting outdoor recreation project! Contact Parkreation for more information.
Prepare for Shade before Sunshine Season Arrives!
Everyone is anxious to enjoy the outdoors as the warm weather approaches the Chicago, Illinois and Indiana area. However, it can be easy to forget the dangers of sun exposure when the kids are too busy having fun on the playground! Protecting against the sun’s harmful UV radiation is important for both children and adults alike. Parkreation is proud to offer the best commercial shade solutions from Shade Systems™ and ICON Shelters to make sure any outdoor area is properly covered and comfortable!
Shade Systems™ offers the highest quality pre-manufactured fabric shade structures in a wide array of configurations. Featuring the patented Turn-N-Slide™ system, these shade canopies can easily be removed at the end of the Summer season. This helps protect your investment from the harsh Illinois and Indiana winters. Even better, that also means putting your shade canopy up at the start of the season is just as simple! Shade Systems™ offers some incredibly unique designs, such as their stunning Tornado® shade that beautifully arches over a seating area.
For permanent shade solutions, look no further. ICON Shelters has you covered! Known for their high-quality manufacturing and designs, ICON Shelters can create the new center-piece of your outdoor area. Whether it is a large gazebo or a simple arbor, a new shelter will not only provide shade but also a gathering place for people to relax and enjoy free from the sweltering sunshine. ICON Shelters come custom-made to your specifications to ensure a perfect match to your area and surrounding architecture.
Everyone deserves a nice shady spot to get out of the sun on a hot day at the park or playground. Luckily, Parkreation can provide a wide variety of shade structures that will look as cool as the shade they provide! Both Shade Systems™ and ICON Shelters are two of the most respected and popular names in the industry. However, time is running out to get your shade ordered before the Summer begins! Be sure to contact Parkreation today to get started on your new shade project!
2019 Brings Exciting New Play Equipment from Little Tikes Commercial!
PlayStax Little Tikes Commercial Play System 
Ancient Wonders Little Tikes Commercial Play System
The new year brings brand new products to our lineup of Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems! Each year, our designers pull inspiration from kids’ imaginations and create new ways to play. 2019 is no different, bringing two unique new product lines to explore!
First up is PlayStax, a bold reimagining of traditional outdoor play equipment. Inspired by the make-shift forts and crafty clubhouses that kids make on their own, PlayStax brings the unpredictable and unbelievable together for new patterns of play. A single PlayStax unit can connect to our other Little Tikes Commercial products to provide a variety of traversal methods, or a tower of up to three PlayStax units can be stacked for the ultimate vertical adventure. Inside are up to six different “rooms”, such as a kitchen or an observatory, to spark social interaction and creativity. Mesh enclosures ensure that caregivers have lines of sight from outside the equipment, while allowing children to look out at the world as they climb higher.
Next up is Ancient Wonders, which brings the excitement of a jungle expedition to the playground! These massive “stone” structures are made of durable Polyfibercrete© and sealed with an acrylic coating to prevent vandalism. Also, beware of the giant snake that slithers beneath the surface, which provides a daring balance feature for the bravest of children. Ancient Wonders inspires the adventurous side in all of us!
Both PlayStax and Ancient Wonders equipment are now available for your next project! Please contact us to get the fun started!
New Playground at Jewett Park Preschool!
The kids at Jewett Park Preschool in Deerfield, Illinois are jumping with joy on their brand new playground! We recently finished replacing all of their old play equipment with some of our most exciting new components, including an orchestra of outdoor musical instruments from our Concerto line of Little Tikes Commercial products. Also in the play space is our unique Matrix net structure, in addition to more realistic Nu-Edge climbers like the Fun Rock! The new playground is fully ADA compliant, which makes sure that every preschooler can reach every play piece! Even in the snow, children were enjoying every second of their first opportunity to explore their new Little Tikes Commercial playground!
You can see more of our recently installed playgrounds here!
Jewett Park Preschool – Deerfield, IL
A New Inclusive Playground is Coming to Goshen, Indiana!
Fundraising continues for a brand new inclusive playground in Goshen, Indiana! Located at Hay Park off of State Road 119, “Kerry’s Kids Playground” will bring children of all abilities from the surrounding community together to play.
Mayor Jeremy Stutsman was inspired by a letter from a local Goshen High School student who wanted the needs of ALL members in the community to be heard. An inclusive playground does not just allow access for wheel-chair bound individuals, but accommodates a wide variety of abilities to ensure no child is excluded. Parents and family will also have the opportunity to participate in the play activities with their children as well. Giving the entire community a safe and accessible place to play will provide years of smiles and stories.
The best part is we are already well on our way to meeting our $50,000 fundraising goal on Patronicity!! If our goal is met by December 11th, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has pledged to match the $50,000 with a grant! Parkreation is humbled and honored to be a part of such an important mission to bring fun to everyone. Find out how you can help make “Kerry’s Kids Playground” a reality by visiting the project’s Patronicity page today!
You can also see some of our recent projects across Indiana here!