Up on Play Landscape Architects Issue 1

Landscape Structures is excited to have its playground

equipment featured at the 20th Annual EPCOT® International

Flower & Garden Festival, which kicked off March 6, and

runs through May 19. We are truly honored to be a part of

this special event, and proud to say that 2013 marks our

11th year of participation.

New to the Festival this year is the garden and children’s play

area called, “Land of Oz.” A themed Evos® playsystem is linked

to the PlayBooster® Vibe™ to create a truly unique play

experience. A rainbow-colored O-Zone® climber, cityscape and

flower post toppers, and custom Vibe roofs will stretch kids’

imaginations and muscles. Additionally flower pod steppers

lead to three Cozy Domes®, fun playground components that

act as a hide-away on the inside while providing climbing

fun on the outside.

In addition to the all-new “Land of Oz” garden, a nature-

inspired playground was designed especially for 2- to

5-year-olds. A PlayBooster playstructure complete with

The Peak™ natural climbers fits perfectly into the garden,

which has a southwestern-themed landscape. And EPCOT

didn’t forget about the teenagers, parents and grandparents

visiting the park. In yet another garden, three of our

HealthBeat® outdoor fitness stations are available for

a quick workout.

If you’re in the neighborhood or planning a warm-weather

vacation near Lake Buena Vista, Fla., make plans to visit the

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Colorful flowers

and more than 75 Disney character topiaries accompany the

play areas, along with a concert series and presentations by

HGTV and DIY Network personalities.

Topiaries, flowers and playgrounds... OH MY!

Earlier this year, Landscape Structures introduced Pulse™,

a multisensory way to add lights, sounds, touch and more

movement to the playground. We’ve been committed to

providing sensory play experiences for many years in an

effort to create truly inclusive playgrounds, and the addition

of Pulse will welcome children of all abilities and ages to

the playground for visual, auditory and tactile stimulation.

Pulse offers three interactive games with stimulating

LED light patterns and sounds that help kids develop their

muscles, hand-eye coordination and action/reaction skills.

Pulse games are simple, intuitive and engaging for the whole

family. Even more, the three new games encourage social

interaction, teach the value of sportsmanship, and help

develop physical coordination and spatial awareness.

• Pulse Tennis is great for two to eight players ages

5 to 12. With flashing lights and realistic tennis sounds, kids

will be encouraged to run, lunge and stretch to send the

light back to their opponent.

• Pulse Table Tennis welcomes two to four players ages 2 to

12. Kids develop hand-eye coordination and concentration

as they watch for the light to bounce back to them. Table

tennis, installed at a wheelchair-accessible height, is great

for therapeutic settings.

• Pulse Tempo rewards kids for their movement with five

unique sound and light shows. Designed for up to six

players ages 2 to 12, Pulse Tempo helps advance kids’

motor skills.

Pulse offers a truly unique experience on the playground.

Watch Pulse in action and hear what kids have to say about

the new multisensory play experience.

A finger on the Pulse of multisensory play

Create a true environment with matching site furnishings

You can plan on pairing our classic

PlayBooster®, PlayShaper® and

PlaySense® playsystems with the

Vivid Collection. The colorful

Kaleidoscope Bench, and Recycling

and Litter Receptacles, along with the

Loop Rack and TenderTuff Picnic Tables

and Benches will coordinate perfectly

with traditional playgrounds.

Extend your nature-inspired playground environment

with the distinctive Nature-Inspired Collection.

The Log Bench, Acorn Seat, Leaf Bike Rack,

Wood-Grain Bench and much more will help

complete your play space and blend in

harmoniously with the natural environment.

The Designer Collection’s modern style

and architectural details are the ideal

complement to our Evos® and Weevos®

playsystems. The Arches Bench, Bike

Racks, and Recycling and Litter

Receptacles will accentuate your

contemporary playground design.

The three new collections add to Landscape Structures’ already extensive site furnishings offerings. Learn more about the new Designer, Vivid and Nature-Inspired Collections, and all of our site furnishings available at playlsi.com.

When Landscape Structures collaborates with you to create a playground design, our goal is to help create a complete play environment. We’re expanding this service by offering three new site furnishings collections that match our playground equipment as well as the surrounding landscape. Whether you’re focused on creating a modern, traditional or nature-inspired project, our site furnishings collections will help put the finishing touches on the play environment.

Leave it to the professionalsLandscape Structures is so honored to work with landscape architects around the world. We’re constantly learning about fun and unique projects on which you’ve worked, obstacles that you face and innovative solutions that you create to overcome challenges. That’s why we’ve created this new feature that spotlights a professional, introduces him or her, and gives you a glimpse into what projects and programs he or she has implemented. Our first featured professional is Joy Kuebler, owner of Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, PC. Read below to learn more about Joy, and her experience in the field of landscape architecture

Q: How long have you been involved in landscape architecture?

A: I’ve been involved in the landscape architecture industry for nearly 20 years. I started my career working for a small firm in Florida, then moved to large multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firms. In 2003, I started my own practice, Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, PC, which has allowed me to create my own level of service that I can offer to customers.

I’ve worked on many projects from small residential projects to designing entire corporate campuses. No matter what the project, though, I bring an environmental aspect to each and ask myself how I can provide a better quality of life to users. I focus my work on the human experience—from filtering out noise to choosing a calming color palette and creating a space where users can feel comfortable.

Q: What have been some of your favorite projects?

A: Some of my favorite projects have been creating outdoor classrooms at elementary and high school settings. One project in particular that stands out is an urban elementary school for which I created a space for pre-k to second grade kids. I had 11,000 square feet with which to work, and I incorporated mounds, logs, boulders and an existing stream to create six classroom spaces. It became a sort of an oasis for these kids as they didn’t have much connection to nature outside of school.

Another space I am proud to have been involved in is a learning courtyard in a high school setting. Within 6,000 square feet, I created a pond, stream, bog, forest and a garden for students. It provided an opportunity for them to be free and relieve the stresses of the day. These kids became truly engaged in the nature around them, and enjoyed the chance to be outside—whether for relaxation alone, socializing with friends or catching up on homework.

Q: What are some of your personal hobbies?

A: I love to dance tango! I wear a lot of hats—I’m a single mom of two, business owner—and dancing allows me to turn everything off and live in the moment. I started tango dancing because of a Groupon; I began a one-year quest to find a new hobby during which I tried many things. The one that stuck was dancing—it’s one of the most joyous experiences ever! I’ve met lots of diverse friends, and have learned to trust people to lead me and let them into my personal bubble.

Q: You’re active on Twitter; how did you get involved with social media and what do you enjoy about it?

A: My friends first encouraged me to join Facebook and Twitter because they know how social I am and they knew I would love it—and I did. Aside from the social aspect of it, social media allows me to contribute to the profession. Facebook: I share hands-on content about how a day or project goes as well as public events. It’s an

interactive way to show who we are at Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect, PC. Twitter: I have a direct conversation with the world on Twitter. I have a connection with many people because of Twitter, and have actually even had the opportunity to meet people in person at conferences and professional events. LinkedIn: This is a powerful tool for me. I have many connections with different groups and choose to participate in community boards, which give me a more global reach.

Learn more about what projects Joy and her team are working on by visiting www.jklastudio.com.

©2013 Landscape Structures Inc.

Landscape Structures Inc.601 7th St. SouthDelano, MN 55328-8605888.438.6574763.972.5200playlsi.com d

Calendar of EventsLooking forward to seeing you at the following events:

MAY • EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

JuNE • Kiwanis International Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

OCTOBEr • NRPA, Houston, Texas

NOVEMBEr • National League of Cities, Seattle, Wash. • ASLA, Boston, Mass.

Industry News Read about the latest happenings affecting landscape architects, and then join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Let us know what you think about the following topics:

• Easing Brain Fatigue with a Walk in the Park A recent study from researchers in Scotland suggests that brain fatigue can be eased by visiting parks and other green spaces. This theory, while not new, has been difficult to prove. But a new technology allowed researchers to study brain wave patterns of volunteers while they were engaged with green spaces. Read more.

• President Obama Releases 2014 Budget Request President Obama recently released his federal budget request, which outlines the administration’s priorities for the upcoming federal fiscal year. There are a number of items that will interest the landscape architecture profession including the conservation, preservation and recreation mission of the National Park Service. Read more.

• Temporary Can Still be Valuable The Chicago Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) realized that temporary public spaces can still be valuable to neighborhoods, and challenged communities throughout the city to create more with a contest. They received 46 entries, which included community gardens/farms and playgrounds. Read more.

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