Category: Community & Park Spaces

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

4 Vital Park Project Details You Shouldn’t Overlook

Park project live example

Planning a park project is often a journey of several years rather than a onetime endeavor. As your space matures and you get feedback from guests. You’re sure to discover things that are missing or that you wish you thought of during the initial design phase.

Park Project Details to Keep in Mind

Sure your playground is great but how do you keep families from driving up to the picnic space? You have great benches and even water fountains but you are shocked by how quickly the trash cans fill up. We have our list of 4 park project details our customers say they wouldn’t overlook the next time around.

Playground Borders

If you are choosing a loose fill surfacing, spend the extra money and install playground borders. Technically, if your playground is enclosed by walkways, parking lots, fencing playground borders aren’t required. However, what you save in upfront costs, you just may lose in lost surfacing and extra work. Borders are designed to stick up above the ground and keeping your surfacing in place. While many customers prefer a flush look, other methods of retaining loose fill surfacing do not work as well.

Bollards

Having trouble controlling traffic at your park? If you don’t want to fence in your entire facility, you do have another option for your park project. Bollards are designed to provide an attractive way to keep street traffic out of pedestrian spaces. Close off wide walkways and keep cars out of ungated areas while still allowing foot traffic to pass easily. Bollards are exceptionally helpful for wide jogging trails that may be mistaken for a road and are more attractive than a sign.

Bike Racks

If your space can be accessed on foot you should probably plan to include a few bike racks, at least one by every obvious entrance. Without a proper place to store them, your guest may tie their bikes to tables, benches or trees. This can cause damage and prevent other guests from fully enjoying the park.

Recycling Containers

There is a certain irony when a green space isn’t exactly green. Adding recycling containers not only sends a strong message that you support local recycling efforts but also helps prevent trash receptacles from becoming overfilled too quickly. A green park project projects a sense of social responsibility to your community.

Park Project Inspiration

One way to prepare your own park project is to visit other parks in your area and take a good look around. Do you find that there is enough waste disposal? Do you wish there were more seating options? Are you able to find a comfortable place to relax? What works and what doesn’t? Create a list of everything you like and bring it to the design meeting with you. What is on your park project’s must have list?

Categories
Community & Park Spaces Playground Planning

What you Need to Know About Commercial Shade Structures

Shade structures are often an overlooked commodity in public spaces. As the summer sun beats down, temperatures are soaring throughout the US. At the BYO office in St. Augustine Florida, it is in the high 90s today and in parts of the country temperatures are well into the low 100s. During heat like this, most people avoid spending any significant amount outside if they can. With summer temperatures frequently above 90°F, it can be difficult to enjoy outdoor activities without overheating or burning. Adding reliable shade to public spaces greatly increase the amount of time people can comfortably spend outdoors. We have all the facts you need to determine if a shade structure is right for you.

Commercial Shade Structures Q&A

How effective your shade structures?

Shades block up to 97% of UV rays and lower the temperature of shaded areas up to 30°F.

I already have a playground, can I still install a shade?

Absolutely! Shades can be installed for most structures over almost any surface. Thanks to their versatile designs, shades can frequently be installed in small spaces.

Aren’t shade structures just large umbrellas?

Shade structures work the same way umbrellas, tents and bandstands do but on a much large scale with greater results. Out shades are specifically designed for extended outdoor use and made to provide the most heat relief and the greatest possible UV protection.

Are sail shades less effective than canopy style shades?

Surprisingly, sail shades can be just as effective at providing relief from intense sun and heat as full-sized shades. Designers look at the layout of your facility and orientate the shade’s placement and pitch to provide the most protection during peek sun hours. In some instances sail shade are not only the most attractive option but can be targeted to block the most intense sun.

If we will be under the shade do we still have to use sunscreen?

It is necessary to apply sunscreen every time you or children in your care go outside and to reapply it at least every two hours. Combining sunscreen, shade and protective clothing is the best way to prevent sun-related skin damage.

Why aren’t they waterproof?

The fabrics used in our shades are designed to primarily provide UV protection and reduce temperatures, not to act as a roof. Our shade fabrics feature a specially designed, breathable weave that allows hot air to flow freely from the top of the structure, greatly reducing temperatures. Despite the open weaving, the fabric still up to 80% water repellent.

Where can I use a shade?

Shades can be placed virtually anywhere and are great wherever you expect people to gather outside. The most common places we install shades are: Playgrounds, outdoor seating/dining areas, over bleachers, dugouts, band stands and near public pools.

How durable are they?

Our fabric is designed to withstand wind gusts up to 90 miles per hour, are resistant to mildew and rot and feature a special Lockstitch technique to prevent fraying and unraveling.

We occasionally experience severe storms? How do we protect our shade?

Whether your area experiences severe wind from storms and hurricanes or gets heavy snowfall, you can still have a shade. All shades can be removed and we offer an optional, quick release feature that enables you to quickly and easily remove and reattach the shade. Many customers choose to remove their shades during the winter and re-install them during the warmer summer months.

How hot is too hot?

Generally, temperatures between 30°F and 80°F are considered comfortable with appropriate attire. Temperatures over 80°F are uncomfortable and caution should be used during temperatures over 90°F. Understanding what temperatures pose a risk to health can help you decide if a sunshade will add extra value to your site.

Do you have your own questions about Shade Structures?

Contact an agent and get detailed answers about adding a shade structures to your space.

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Basics for Creating the Perfect Dog Park

Dog parks are becoming more and more popular in communities. In fact, according to the ASPCA, there are between 70 and 80 million dogs in the United States. Experts believe that common behaviors, like barking, have evolved in order to communicate with their human owners. With an estimated 33,000 years of cohabitation, it is no wonder that many dog owners think about their pets when choosing where to live, vacation and play. Dog parks are the fastest growing type of outdoor play equipment. Likewise, more new dog parks being established in urban areas than any other type of park.

Adding a dog park is a great way to bring members of your community together and increase socialization. Dog parks can even improve security in your community by encouraging neighbors to get to know one another. The good news is that dog parks are less expensive to set up and maintain than you would expect. Specialty equipment is simpler to install and generally subject to fewer restrictions than equipment for children and adults.

Selecting a Dog Park Space

You will want to choose a large, well drained space; dog parks are generally at least a quarter acre in size. The area will need to be fenced in to allow off leash play and close attention should be paid to the lay of ground. Smoother fields will be the simplest to layout, the easiest to fence and require little to no earth moving before installation. Larger parks may benefit from a variety of terrain as long as there are no dangerous elevations or pits. These obstacles could might injure an adventurous dog or owner.

Keeping pets in the park should be a top priority and given careful consideration. Fencing should be at least 4 feet high but some breeds may be able to jump fences up to 6 feet. Providing double gated entries are a simple precaution to help prevent lost pets. Visitors enter through the first gate, latch it and unleash their pet before opening the second gate. This prevents pets from rushing through the gate as it opens.

Basic Dog Park Amenities

The best way to ensure your park space stays orderly and clean is to have clearly posted rules to assist visitors. Just like a humans only park, your dog park should have regularly placed trash cans to help prevent littering. To prevent a buildup of pet waste in your park, include pet waste stations throughout your park. Pet waste stations are very effective at encouraging owners to pick up waste. In fact, many communities are adding them to other pet friendly public spaces like jogging paths and barbecue spaces.

All dog parks should be designed to be ‘off leash’ play spaces but many pet owners don’t realize that leaving a pet leashed around other pets can quickly spell disaster. Prevent accidents by clearly postings signs that remind owners that all pets must be off leash in the dog park space. Providing leash holders by the entrance is a simple way to reinforce the rules while offering guests a convenient place to store leashes up off the ground. Hydration is important to both people and pets. Water fountains with spigots for both people and dogs built into the design are becoming increasingly popular in all park spaces. Many dog parks also include amenities like park benches and shades that encourage human guests to stay longer.

Bonding With Your Canine Through Play

Devoted dog owners may be looking for a better way to bond with their pets and encourage exercise. Adding an obstacle course to your dog park is a great way to encourage pets and their owners to engage in a healthy lifestyle while bonding through training. Dog park equipment does not require special surfacing and is generally simple to install. A wide range of specialty equipment is available to provide engaging exercise for all breeds. If your park will be welcoming dogs in a wide range of sizes, select adjustable equipment that allows the pet owner to select the appropriate level of difficulty.

If you choose to set aside an area of your dog park for small dogs and puppies or are installing equipment in a community that only allows smaller dogs you may wish to select specialized equipment designed exclusively for small and toy breeds. You may also choose to place obstacles closer together than you would in a park that allows dogs of all sizes. Be sure to only use equipment that has been specifically designed by use for dogs and not to use any human playground equipment.

The Bark Park line has been designed to be safe for use around people and pets and features canine coat thermoplastic coating which is designed for outdoor use in all weather and is both slip and urine resistant. BYO Recreation sells and installs Bark Park dog park equipment because we care about the comfort and safety of pets and their owners.

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Preventing Dehydration at Your Park or Playground

A girl preventing dehydration by sipping at a water fountain

Dehydration is a leading cause of emergency room visits during the summer months. Whether you are constructing a park or improving your community’s public spaces, plan to prioritize heat relief.

Dehydration Causes & Prevention

Water plays a huge role in the body’s normal internal functions. Water carries heat away from internal organs and cools the surface of the body through sweat. Improper hydration can lead to heat stroke and even death. The very young and the very old are the most susceptible to heat related illnesses. However, anyone can become seriously dehydrated in a short time during the hot summer months.

As the heat index climbs it’s important for everyone to drink plenty of fluids. After accounting for fluid-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, Harvard experts recommend 4 to 6 cups per day.

Of course, you can’t control how well your guests prepare to for their day outdoors. But you can provide them with plenty of healthy options during their visit. The choice you make will ultimately determine how comfortable and safe your playground or park space will be.

Provide Your Own Water Source

Many municipalities have laws regarding the placement of water fountains. You’ll want to consult your state and local laws before beginning any major changes. Whether or not you are required to place them in your outdoor space, you should consider offering frequent water stations. If your space is pet friendly, including combination pet and people fountains will ensure that all your guests have access to clean water.

Shade Your Playground Equipment!

Excessive sweating and overheating combine to cause heat sickness. A great way to prevent illnesses related to overexposure is to provide plenty of shade. If you are planning to turn a wooded space into a park or playground you can simply plan your site clearing to preserve healthy trees. Shade structures are another excellent way to incorporate shade into outdoor spaces. Proper shade can lower outdoor temperatures up to 30 degrees.

Strategically placing shade, along with water fountains, is a great way to encourage people to stay longer and return to your facility more frequently.

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Best Site Amenities to Ramp Up Your Community Picnic Space

site-amenities-at-a-park

Adding site amenities to your picnic area is a great way to encourage active, healthy lifestyles in your community. Adding a park is simple since most equipment is easy to install, relatively low cost, and requires little special preparation. There are almost endless options for park spaces so creating a solid concept and prioritizing the items you need to make that vision become reality is the key to being successful.

Site Amenities Basics

When you plan a picnic space, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of site amenities to choose from. You can choose from metal, aluminum and even concrete park furniture, each with its own distinct advantages.

Picnic Tables

Metal tables are powder coated, relatively lightweight and, thanks to the perforated bench and table tops, stay cleaner than other options. The powder coating keeps them cooler as well, which is nice. Concrete tables are the go to option for parks and campgrounds that have out of the way picnic spaces because they are the most difficult to move and extra resistant to vandalism. Aluminum tables are the lightest in weight so they are the obvious choice if you plan to move your picnic furniture around frequently.

Park Grills

Once you have selected your basics, you’ll want to add amenities that encourage families to enjoy your park space.  Select a mounted, pedestal, heavy duty grill that has removable grates. Commercial outdoor grills come in rotating, dual-grate, campfire rings, and more!

Pet Waste Stations

One of the most important things you can do to keep your park space clean is to include plenty of waste disposal stations. Placing trash cans within easy reach of seating and cooking areas encourages guests to dispose of waste properly rather than on the ground. If your space is pet friendly, you may want to throw in a few pet waste stations as well.

Learn More About Site Amenities

Looking for something grander in your park space? Imagination really is the limit; you can add bandstands, gazebos and even decorative pathways. Reach out to learn what site amenities are right for your space! 

Categories
Community & Park Spaces Playground Planning

Why Kids Sports Are More Important Than Ever

An example of young children playing a kids sport

Partaking in kids sports can be one of the biggest commitments a child can make. Choosing a sport, joining a team and practicing regularly are unique experiences that can’t be replicated by other activities. Whether you and your child choose a casual ‘everybody plays’ team or a more competitive team, your entire family will be making a huge commitment of time and energy.

Why Kids Sports are Worth It

According to research, participating in kids sports seems to improve almost every aspect of a child’s physical and emotional health. Here are some noteworthy benefits.

Physical & Emotional Benefits

According to the University of Florida Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, students who participate in sports perform better in school, have better social skills and are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Studies also show that children and teens who participate in sports are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.

According to the President’s Council on Fitness, girls who participate in kids sports develop a better body image, self esteem, and confidence. In addition to having a healthier body and immune system, children experience better sleep cycles on average than inactive children. The best part is that children receive the benefits whether or not they excel at the sports.

Why do Children Quit Kids Sports? 

Like the initial attraction to kids sports, the reasons for quitting can vary from child to child. Remember that children live lives every bit as complex as adults, just with less control over the circumstances. Children might not understand or be able to express why they aren’t enjoying a sport anymore. When a children complain that the sport isn’t fun anymore, parents should dig deeper to discover the source of the problem.

Healthy Competition

Some children thrive on intense competition, others shy away from it. Even gifted athletes may not enjoy a hyper competitive team and less talented athletes can find a more recreational team boring if it doesn’t present a challenge. Adjusting the type of sport and league may be a way to keep a child involved in kids sports. If the first sport or team doesn’t work out, don’t give up. It may take several attempts to find the right sport and team for your child.

Many schools require students to maintain a certain grade level to participate in sports. Struggling students may be reluctant to try out for teams if they think there’s a chance of being kicked off. Sadly, students who struggle in school may need to belong to a team more than anyone. Belonging to a team gives children a sense of belonging and improved attitude. Additionally, kids spots help them develop the self-discipline they need to get better grades.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to include kids sports at your organization.

Categories
Community & Park Spaces Playground Planning

How to Fight Childhood Obesity Through Play

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in the last 30 years while only about 29 percent of high school students exercise 60 minutes or more each day. As Americans turn more and more to indoor entertainment and recreation, children are paying the price.

Childhood Obesity Prevention Tips

Establishing healthy play and sleep habits during childhood have lifelong benefits, but require dedicated parents, teachers and communities. To celebrate American Heart Month, we’re focusing on fitness activities for all ages.

Spend More Time Outside

You can’t run inside! Parents are understandably reluctant to let children play unsupervised outdoors, but not making time to supervise outdoor play is not a solution. Schedule time to be outside as a family and don’t skip it! If you can’t make time daily to monitor outdoor play yourself, consider forming a playgroup with other parents in your community. Although having your child join a sports team has many benefits, it can’t  replace regular, unstructured free play. Making extra time for student athletes may even reduce the risk of repetitive motion and overuse injuries by strengthening the muscles they don’t use during practice.

Fight Childhood Obesity Through Healthy Play

It’s extremely tempting to sit back and answer emails while your child plays, but don’t be afraid to get the ball rolling yourself! Bring a ball, Frisbee or other toy and try to scout out parks with an active playground community ahead of time. To fight childhood obesity, start a game of catch, kickball or any active ball game to get the fun going! As a parent you can encourage your children to make the most of the play equipment. Challenge children to beat their best time on the monkey bars, or have a race across the fitness circuit. Once the kids are playing, feel free to take a step back and let them take over. 

Make Exercise a Priority

A mother and girl fighting childhood obesity through stretching
Regular stretching is a great way to fight childhood obesity.

Leading by example is the best way to encourage childhood obesity prevention. If you’re not in great shape be sure to talk your doctor and set realistic fitness goals for yourself before you cut loose on any exercise plan. Turn cleaning into a silly song and dance marathon, make yard work family time and plan  a simple evening walk together or other gentle exercises. These will not only get your family moving but will bring you closer together. Teach each other your favorite games like hopscotch and freeze tag and get playing. It takes about 10,000 hours to master any skill, so consider setting a big goal and working towards it together.  You could become hula hoop masters, learn to pop an ollie on a skateboard or make it your goal to master Double Dutch together.

Work with Other Caregivers

Want to include more fitness in your classroom or daycare? Whether you’re a teacher or parent, don’t be afraid to become a leader! Talk about ways you can help normalize physical activity. Regular breaks in learning that encourage movement help improve focus, retention and serve as a natural mood elevator.  Why not hop to the lunch room or take the scenic route to computer class? Adding a little more activity into daily routines can make a big difference. 

Get Enough Rest

It goes without saying that sleep is important to healthy growth and development, however, it’s not always a top priority. In recent years, a growing body of research has linked sleep deprivation to higher body mass. Unfortunately, children are almost as likely as adults to go without adequate sleep.  This may result in fatigue and lethargy, which may make it harder to get your kids off the couch. To help them get enough sleep, set and stick to a bedtime, create a healthy sleep routine and turn off television and computer screens at least an hour before bedtime.

Learn More About Childhood Obesity

Call one of our knowledgeable consultants at 800-853-5316 to learn about preventing childhood obesity through play!

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

How to Make Fitness Fun For the Whole Family

family-bike-ride

Fitting a regular fitness routine into your busy schedule can seem impossible. With most parents working 40 or more hours a week it’s hard to find ways to worry about fitness. The reality is that America’s families are struggling to stay fit. Teaching children to find time to be active is more easily accomplished when you lead by example. How can you find time to get your children to their sporting activities while making time for your own? Forget about exercising and have fun!

Make Fitness Fun

Families should have a collective lifestyle. If togetherness means spending every evening and weekend enjoying a Netflix marathon, fitness habits take a back seat. It’s much harder working together to build a life that revolves around being active and healthy.

Every family needs to make together time a priority. Coupling that with fun, high energy fitness will help families stay active together and teach kids that play isn’t just for children. Currently, only 30% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 get 20 minutes or more of vigorous exercise daily. Although, a full 60 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. For most people, exercise is a chore, but play is a biologically vital activity. Getting off the couch and replacing an hour of screen time with play time will benefit your entire family.

Visit Your Local Park

Scout out a local park that has a baseball field or big open space and coordinate a regular kickball game with other parents. Many parks will even allow you to reserve spaces, so don’t be afraid to call ahead! Make sure your goal is clear, everybody plays and everybody has fun! Teaching your kids the difference between living an active life full of play and ‘exercise’ is sure to be priceless.

Fitness for Different Ages

Depending on the age ranges, you can adjust the game play to make things a little more fair. Here are some easy alterations that you can blend together or you can make up your own.

10 Year and Under:

  • Toddlers run bases and adults kick
  • Pair adults and kids to play bases
  • Designated hitters

10 Years and Up:

  • Adults (over 16) vs kids
  • 50/50 adult child split
  • Adults in the outfield kids in the infield

Fitness For Groups

Since, we’re talking about turning one classic playground game into a family activity, why not explore a couple more? If you can’t get enough families to join your kickball game, don’t be discouraged! Pick an activity and make a goal around it.

It takes approximately 10,000 hours to master something and that’s time you’ll spend having fun, getting fit and being together. So this year, let’s master Double Dutch, perfect the talent of badminton, become the elite team of capture the flag or have a household hula hoop contest. You’ll soon discover that the more you play together, the more open everyone will become to spontaneous play.

Finally, reach out for more information if you’re a park or community space looking to promote fitness for families!

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Park Plan Considerations from Concept to Design

Girls sitting on a park bench

Whether a brand new park plan or are making additions to an existing one, BYO Recreation is here to help you from start to finish! The first step is planning. When you begin thinking about your park plan, what’s the first thing you think of? Is it sprawling nature trails and peaceful, scenic water views? Do you picture a lively picnic area with fire rings and grills?

Park Plan Components

All your park plan ideas and visions can become a reality! After thinking about what you want your park to be, think about how you can complement the natural landscape with your design. Will the design you choose fit in with the ambiance your park naturally creates? Do the additions provide a sense of continuity throughout the entire park? Answering these questions will help you create a timeless design for your park.

Balance

Your aim is to create a balance between facility resources and seasonal use. The design of the facility should allow for and promote year-round use. Nature trails can be used year-round and can offer guests a different experience every time they use it. Picnic areas also have the ability to cater to a wide range of groups, depending on how they are set up. Do your picnic tables provide a variety of scenery?

Site Amenities

Picnic tables need to have an ordered, arranged layout. When you are deciding where your picnic area should be, look for natural patterns in the landscape. For example, if your park has a lake, you can follow the natural curve of the lake. Placing the tables far enough from the water to allow walking people access to the lakeside, while still providing scenery for people at the tables.

Location, Location

You should also think about the vicinity of the area. Your picnic area should be located near parking, bathrooms and trash receptacles. When visitors come to your park for a picnic, they will likely have coolers of food and other supplies for the day. Making sure the picnic area is near the parking lot assures that park guests have easy access to their vehicles for convenience and security.

Park Plan Assistance

Now that we’ve gone over a few things to consider when thinking about your park and its picnic area, share your ideas with us! We’d love to help you with your park design and find you the best picnic tables and equipment for your park! Call us at 1-800-853-5316 for a complete park plan today!

Categories
Community & Park Spaces

Best Dog Park Equipment to Make the Most Puppy Play Time

A dog park is perfect for keeping your dog in shape and giving it an opportunity to play with other friendly doggy friends. Taking your canine to a dog park is just as important as taking your kids to the playground to play with friends and get proper exercise. Dog parks not only get your furry friends outside and burn some energy on the park equipment before dinnertime; it also lets them interact with other pets. This is a great way to help your pet learn proper behavior around dogs and visitors at your home.

Just like humans, dogs get depressed when they have a lack of activity and interaction in their lives. This can lead to obesity, tumors as well as many other health related issues. When a dog goes to play, run or train, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical the brain releases that allows for positive and excited attitudes. Therefore, keeping your furry friend active will result in a happy pet.

Types of Dog Park Equipment

Different structures help build different muscles in your pet. For example, a dog walk structure helps build leg muscle and teach dogs how to walk up and down ramps. A crawl tube helps build chest muscles and keep hip joints flexible and strong. Lastly, a doggy teeter-totter helps dogs gain a sense of balance when stationary on a moving object. All of these structure will help keep you dog happy and in shape. They also help to train your dog for competitions and everyday travels.

Of course, it’s always good to keep you and your pet hydrated throughout your time at the park, so be sure to bring water or use the local drinking fountains provided around your park. BYO Recreation offers a dual water fountain that is designed for humans and dogs to be able to drink at the same time.

Learn more about the importance of dog parks by visiting BYO Recreation or giving us a call at 1-800-853-5316. One of our consultants will be happy to provide you with all the information you desire and assist you in choosing the best dog park equipment and water fountains for your parks.