Playground Education Programs
Host: City of McKinney Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Department
Location: McKinney Community Center
2001 S. Central Expressway
When: Wednesday, December 2
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Session 1
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Session 2
2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Session 3
RSVP: Keith Post
E-mail: kpost@mckinneytexas.org
Phone: 972-547-2685
Lunch and door prizes provided!
Certificates of participation detailing contact hours will be provided.
The City of McKinney Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Department cordially invites you and your staff to three free Outreach Education Programs! You are welcome to send representatives to one, two, or all sessions.
Session 1
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
NatureGrounds®: Best Practices for Creating Naturalized Playgrounds
Research reveals a strong link between children’s experiences of nature and their psychological well being and overall development. It is important that we encourage outdoor play and find ways to reconnect children with nature. This interactive session will discuss research based benefits of combining the manufactured play environment with the living landscape, demonstrate how to implement best practices of design, and discuss strategies for overcoming potential barriers to naturalizing existing and new playgrounds. Participants will walk away with many educational resources, funding sources, and ideas on how to get started!
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lunch provided to all participants.
Lunch sponsored by:
Session 2
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Creating Universally Designed Play Environments for People of All Ages & Abilities: EveryBODY Plays!™
Play is the right of every child, and EveryBODY should be able to play on the playground. This interactive seminar provides valuable information and resources for creating universally designed playgrounds that are inclusive of all people. Strategies for encouraging physical and social inclusion will be explored through seven uniquely defined principles of universal design. Participants will gain a renewed passion for going beyond the minimum accessibility requirements, and walk away with a deeper understanding of the importance and value of creating a truly unique environment that allows EveryBODY to play!
Session 3
2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Play On! Playground Design and Programs for Play that Increase Physical Activity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the rate of childhood and adolescent obesity has nearly tripled over the last twenty years. Playgrounds, free play, and outdoor physical fitness programs play a critical role in providing resources to get kids and adults moving together. This workshop provides valuable information for effectively designing play environments with activities to increase children’s heart rates and caloric burn to meet the surgeon general’s recommendations.
Please RSVP by replying to this e-mail or calling 972-547-2685. Seating is limited. Please specify which session(s) you plan to attend.
Guest speakers include:
Tom Norquist, Senior Vice President of Product Development, Sales, & Marketing, GameTime.
As a founding board member and immediate past President of the International Play Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (IPEMA), and long-term active American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) representative, Tom has been involved in all aspects of the play industry. He actively participated in the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board He serves on the Board for the International Playground Contractor’s Association and served from 2002-2004 on the Advisory Board for the National Program for Playground Safety. He is also involved in the (Access Board) Recreation Access Advisory Committee and Regulatory Negotiation meetings and is currently serving on the advisory panel for the Access Board’s on-line Technical Assistance and Training for Play Area Accessibility. He is a skilled marketer, product innovator and children’s advocate for safe, creative and fun play. He is known for his boundless energy, and his heartfelt love for an understanding of children at play.
Jennie Sumrell, Program and Partnership Coordinator, PlayCore.
Jennie has worked in the field of special education, childhood development, and inclusion for nearly ten years. Prior to joining the PlayCore team, she was the Program Technology Coordinator at Siskin Children’s Institute, a non-profit organization that provides model educational programs and services to children with disabilities and their families through a school program and a Training and Resource Center. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Learning from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a master’s certificate in Adaptive & Assistive Technology from the University of Miami, and is in the final stages of finishing her research action project to obtain her master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Jennie has presented as a guest lecturer at local universities and numerous regional, national and international conferences on topics such as universal design, inclusion, bringing curriculum outdoors, the value of play, and disability awareness.
