Tennessee Recreation & Park Association Conference Keynote Focused on “Repositioning Parks & Recreation”
Delano, Minn. (PRWEB) November 13, 2013 -- Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, along with its Tennessee playground consultant, Recreational Concepts, will exhibit at the 62nd Tennessee Recreation and Park Association (TRPA) Annual Conference Nov. 17-21, in Chattanooga. The conference will feature Dr. John Crompton, distinguished professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University and well-known researcher and author, as the keynote speaker. This learning experience was made possible through the 2013-2014 State Association Speaker Scholarship program from Landscape Structures.
Dr. Crompton’s keynote will focus on “Repositioning Parks and Recreation.” Throughout the past 40 years, the park and recreation field has passed through six different eras: product orientation, emphasis on sales, focus on user benefits, a shift to community benefits, identifying community priorities with which to align, and activation of those priorities. Although this evolution has been sequential, there are agencies at all of these stages. Dr. Crompton will describe the key elements of each stage and ask the audience to consider where they are in their thinking and actions, and where their agency is in its thinking and actions. The case will be made that an agency’s long term viability will be dependent on how far along this evolutionary continuum it has progressed. The field’s future lies in aligning with community priorities and engaging in activities that contribute to alleviating them. These were the key elements in the field’s emergence as a public service in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and they remain central to its future viability.
Dr. Crompton’s 90-minute session will be presented at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit Recreational Concepts and Landscape Structures in the exhibit hall later on Monday to learn about the latest trends in playground design including custom and theme designs.
About Landscape Structures Inc.
Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment in the world. The employee-owned company is committed to creating a better world by encouraging outdoor activities that develop healthy kids, families and communities. Landscape Structures designs better playgrounds that welcome all ages and abilities, become signature gathering spaces for communities and offer the most innovative play experiences. The company’s mission from day one has been to enhance children’s lives by fostering and creating inspiring play experiences while honoring the environment.
About Recreational Concepts
Recreational Concepts, based in Cookeville, Tenn., provides resources and design for all levels of commercial playgrounds. The company is Tennessee’s exclusive distributor of Landscape Structures, the leader in inclusive play systems that are accessible, developmentally age appropriate and stimulating to the senses. Their experts take cues from kids, think through the “what ifs” and push the “why nots,” and imagine new play environments that spark joy in children’s hearts and minds. Recreational Concepts’ playgrounds are designed and built on the power of possibility, advancing play for all aspects of every child. With kids as the compass, they’re continuously shaping new play experiences that put families and communities well ahead of the game. The company also provides safety surfacing, site furnishings, shades and shelters. The Recreational Concepts team is proud to provide the great state of Tennessee with recreational fun that builds confidence and friendships while allowing all to play as equals.
Katie Kava, Landscape Structures Inc., http://www.playlsi.com, +1 (763) 972-5297, [email protected]
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