Blog Posts

How Playgrounds Bring Communities Together

Playgrounds are full of nostalgia and happy memories of childhood. But the benefits of playgrounds go far beyond simple childhood fun. Playgrounds offer timeless connections to our childhoods and our neighbors. Parks with playgrounds add so much to the community and can bring communities together, too. Playgrounds’ benefits are far-reaching. Read on to find out […]

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Children playing on Jakes Field of Dreams inclusive playground

Jake’s Field of Dreams – a play space for all

Every day, families gather, and children play at Jake’s Field of Dreams in Wentzville, Missouri, less than an hour from St. Louis. This sports-themed, inclusive playground engages children of all ages and abilities in physical, social, and pretend play. The vision for this unique play space began with one man, Jim Vollmer, a father who lost […]

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kids sitting in garden crawl tunnel

Summer Maintenance Tips for School Playgrounds

During summer break, students across the country enjoy their break from schoolwork. With the halls empty, school officials can consider summer playground maintenance. Summer is the perfect time for playground maintenance and repairs. It’s critical to make your playground a safe environment for your students to play in. By focusing on playground equipment maintenance during the […]

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children posing for picture on playground equipment

Whistle Stop Park, Spring Lake, MI

Whistle Stop Park stands on the site of a former train depot and rail yard. Although Spring Lake Depot closed in 1957, the city wanted to include the area’s rich history in its new playground, so they asked Little Tikes Commercial rep Great Lakes Recreation to include a train theme in the design. Great Lakes […]

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little boy crawling across playground steppers

How to Improve Your Neighborhood’s Community Parks

There’s something almost magical about spending time outside. When people are given more opportunities to enjoy nature and breathe fresh air, they become happier, healthier individuals. Parks are dedicated spaces within your community that provide both kids and adults a safe space to play, gather, and socialize outside. The mere existence of parks offers incredible […]

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Kids playing on rope bridge at Hickory Lane Park

Hickory Lane Park, Jackson, WI

Hickory Lane Park has created a tropical oasis in Wisconsin. It was a team effort to bring this playground to life – the community of Jackson came together to raise money and make it happen. While Jackson is a rural community, its proximity to Milwaukee and other large cities makes it a community of commuters. […]

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Little girl at top of slide before going down

Make the Most Out of the Park Playground This Winter

As fall turns into winter, we all start to spend more time inside. However, no matter the season, it’s still important to find ways to stay active and head outside for some fresh air. For families with young children, playgrounds are an ideal option all year round, even during the winter. Enjoying the playground with […]

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How Parks and Playgrounds Support Mental Health

It’s widely known that being out in nature can boost your mood, but just how closely are mental health and landscape linked? Apparently, very. Scientists discovered that those who live in places with little to no green spaces have a 44% higher rate of diagnosed anxiety disorders and 33% more reports of diagnosed depression than those surrounded […]

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Little girl at top of slide before going down

How Children Use Play to Express Their Emotions

Discovering new emotions plays an important role in childhood development. As they grow, children experience increasingly complex emotions. While adults are familiar with feelings of jealousy, cheerfulness, and excitement, these nuanced emotions can feel overwhelming to a child experiencing them for the first time. As a result, kids don’t always understand how to label their feelings and […]

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