Playground Commemorates Barb King, Cofounder of Landscape Structures
One-of-a-kind person inspires design for one-of-a-kind community playground
Delano, Minn. (Oct. 5, 2010) — Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground manufacturer, will host a grand opening of its newest playground at Barb King Inspiration Park on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010. The event will be held at the newly renamed park at the corner of County Road 30 and Meadowlark Drive in Delano, and will commemorate Barb King, the cofounder of Landscape Structures who passed away in March 2008 after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Barb cofounded Landscape Structures with her husband, Steve King, in 1971. Since that time, the pair has introduced many innovations including continuous play, fitness-focused playground products and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes that have changed the playground industry. For nearly 40 years, Barb worked to fulfill the company’s mission of enhancing the lives of children through play while honoring the environment.
Because of Barb’s passion for children and nature, she created the Säjai® Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles and futures for children and families. The Säjai Foundation continues Barb’s legacy by teaching children and families how to lead healthier and more active lives.
Many people remember Barb for her dedication to health, the environment and kids, and the playground at Barb King Inspiration Park will exemplify all of those attributes. “When designing the playground, we chose the materials based on their recycled content and recyclability,” explained Steve King, chairman at Landscape Structures. The materials including the steel posts and aluminum components contain 50 to 80 percent recycled material.
The look of the playground design is totally unique. “While I was planning the design, I wanted it to truly be a testament to Barb,” said Steve. “The unique lines and colors, along with the materials, really accomplish that. The colors have an industrial look and feel to them. Barb always liked things that had a more industrial style to them. The most unique aspect of the design is the roofs.”
In addition to the one-of-a-kind playground, a concrete plaza was designed to fit between two play areas—one for 5- to 12-year-olds and the other for ages 2 to 5. On this plaza is a kiosk that provides visitors with more information about Barb as well as the surrounding landscape. There will also be HealthBeat™ fitness equipment so that adults can exercise while supervising their children on the play equipment.
On Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, Landscape Structures invites children and their families to Barb King Inspiration Park. Not only will they get to play on the one-of-a-kind playground equipment, but they will also have an opportunity to learn more about the woman for which the park is named. In addition, there will be entertainment for the whole family including face painting, balloon animals and performances by the Teddy Bear Band. Refreshments from Apple Jacks Orchard will be served. Following the grand opening of the playground, attendees can take part in Delano’s Fall Harvest Festival from noon to 3 p.m. at Central Park.
Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer in the world. Our employee-owned company is committed to making the world a better place with active children thriving in leading communities year after year, generation after generation. We encourage outdoor play that develops healthy kids and a sustainable world by creating innovative products that are environmentally responsible. Our mission from day one has been to enhance children’s lives by fostering and creating inspiring play experiences while honoring the environment.