Wicksteed Leisure knows only too well that in their fantasy play children cast themselves as all kinds of characters. Heroes or villains acting out scenes and situations they can never have experienced at first hand; taking the helm of a ghost ship, fighting off fire-breathing dragons, being rescued from beleaguered castles. Read more
Playground Services designed, supplied and installed Oakfield ARC play area on the Isle of Wight which has now won top prize in the national Biffawards. Read more
API will lead a series of dedicated Play free-to-attend seminars
at Cityscape 2007.
Read more
On November 1st the Association of Play Industries launched the
first issue of its new
‘API Guide to Playground Layout and Design’. This
ten-page ‘highway code of playground design’ is free to
download. Read more
The Prime Mininster opened a fantastic new play facillity
privided by Sedgfield Council on
Friday 27th October 2006. Read
more
For the older generation, parks can now be more than a place to just sit and feed the ducks. LifeTrail Wellness Stations are a new concept for the active older adult from Playworld Systems. They assist local authorities to meet their strategic goals and objectives to get adults to be more active by making it easier to exercise in our communities. Read more
Ex-local authority parks and play manager, Andy Furze, now a consultant in children’s play, strategies, consultation and funding welcomes the £124 million from the Big Lottery Fund but asks, "What about traditional playgrounds’ play equipment?” In his paper he says some assumptions do not reflect the wider role playgrounds have as destinations, meeting points and areas that are specifically meant for children. "The playground has an important social role for children and the parents of younger ones. Most importantly of all,” argues Andy Furze, “Play equipment is valued by children." - Read more
Playworld Systems has just announced that plans are well advanced for the development of a brand new European headquarters, as the company sees Europe as the next market outside the US for significant growth. Read more
Playworld Systems’ debut at Saltex 2006 was a double
success for the company. The Playworld stand, which took the form
of a mini ‘Multigenerational Destination Park’, not
only attracted a busy stream of visitors but also won a bronze
award for best stand design.
Read more
At this year’s IOG SALTEX, (5th to 7th September) Wicksteed Leisure Limited won the Gold Stand Merit Award for Outstanding Design and Layout – an accolade to which the UK’s leading play equipment company is no stranger. Read more
RSS Playmakers has designed the innovative new SYNERGY following much research, and is confident that it will take the market by storm. “It is designed to perfectly combine stylish architectural design with real play value” said RSS Playmakers’ Managing Director Peter Bullock. Read more
The environmentally sensitive Trailblazer ECO system from RSS Playmakers has been chosen by The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley near Redhill.
The Hawthorns School, which is located within green belt and conservation areas and is a Grade 2* listed building, had to apply for planning permission in order to be able to install the Trailblazer ECO play equipment. Added to this were difficulties with the site which incorporated a slope. Read more
Places to Play - Working together for play-friendly public space The first national Play England conference Wednesday, 11 October 2006 Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London.
The definitive play event for 2006, Places to Play is the first national conference from Play England, a project of the Children's Play Council and the leading authoritative voice for the strategic development of children's play. Read more
The API will be attending this years Leisure Industry Week (LIW) - Stand no: 4495. Due to the success at last years event the API will be hosting a series of educational seminars aimed at the indoor operator. The API continues to support the Play Providers Assocation (PPA) this is refelected within the semainar programme. Read more
One of the top playground manufacturers in the UK has just
announced the launch of a new product to complement their existing
range of safer surfacing. Read
more
RSS Playmakers has completed the first ever installation of its innovative, new Trailblazer NRG system at a school. The Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Community Primary School in Taunton, Somerset, has joined an extensive list of public playgrounds which have taken on the new system. Read more
This years theme; Engaging with today’s ‘Plugged in
& switched on’ kids in the modern media convergent world
Are you up for the challenge? If the answer to this question is
'yes' then please read on... click
here
The Playworld Systems Europe stand at Saltex this year, will
reflect the topical seminar the company will be giving at the show
entitled ‘Multi Generational Destination Parks’.
Stand A42 IOG Saltex 2006. Read more
The new API directory is packed with not-to-be-missed articles
on topical play sector issues and trends. From tots to teens, in
the park, in school or in an indoor play facility, play matters. It
must be safe. It should be exciting and it now has to help mind and
body.
Read full story
Newark and Edinburgh-based Playtop Limited is continuing to expand its worldwide network by appointing a new Indian licensee, Mumbai-based Ecoflex. Read full story
Wicksteed are not just about quality playgrounds - total project management is what local authorities appreciate. With no less than 62 play areas in the Harlow District in Essex, the Playground Partnership set up between Harlow District Council and Wicksteed Leisure Limited is the largest of its kind in the UK. The much needed refurbishment is on budget and way ahead of schedule. Read full story
SPI Play have published a special report in association with Professor Peter Smith & Rachel Biggins "The Trouble With 21st Century Kids". This report covers a comprehensive range of issues. Read more
Equipment from Playworld Systems has helped transform a tired and under-used playground in Lewsey into a fun and busy hot-spot for local families to play and exercise together. Read full story
Wicksteed Lesiure, after successful negotiations, have hit the toddler market with a stimulating range of Postman Pat® play and activity equipment. Read full story
Playworld Systems (Europe) has introduced FirstPlay Toddler, a new line of play equipment specially tailored to meet the physical, mental and social needs of children age 18 months and older. Read full story
Playtop has been honoured with a Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade for its rapid growth in export markets. Read full story
The Association of Play Industries will be attending the IOG
Saltex at Windsor
5th - 7th September 2006. Collect the 2006/07 Directory from
stand H12. Click here
The Play Providers Association held its inaugural meeting on the 31st March 2006. Attended by leading indoor play operators and industry figures this is a huge step forward for indoor play providers. Read full story
PPL (Parkdale Play & Leisure Ltd) play area features on
Yorkshire television's
The Real Emmerdale. Read full
story
Playworld Systems Europe has just launched an exciting and
rubust all-steel play
equipment range called CityScapes. Read full story
Mintel has just published a new report entitled "Leisure time in the UK". As a part of the Federation of Sports and Play Associations work with Mintel, API members will be entitled to a 10% discount off this report (available for 1 month only). For more details click here
Playworld Systems Europe enjoyed considerable success in 2005, turning in results up to 38% on the previous year. Read full story
Lappset have been working closely with the BBC in connection with their new SmartUs project. The project aims to deliver an intelligent play and exercise environment for three generations, which will support learning, physical and motor development, creativity, and improved social interaction. Read full story
Playdale Playgrounds VERTIGO range is the first skate equipment independently tested by British Standards Institute and awarded the Kitemark Certification to PAS35. Read full story
The Big Lottery Fund has advised the API that they will launch the Children's Play (England) initiative in March 2006. £155 million has been committed to this new programme to develop play provision across England. For further information on BLF click here
The Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA) is the new name to replace The Sports Industries Federation (TSIF).
The change in branding is to reflect the influence the Play Industry Associations have, under the umbrella of the Federation. The FSPA is curently responsible for sixteen associations of which four are extremley active in the play sector. For further information of FSPA click here
The Association of Play Industries Federation House Stoneleigh
Park Warwickshire CV8 2RF
T +44(0) 24 76 414999 ext 208
F +44(0) 24 76 414990
E api@api-play.org
Association of Play Industries (API) : Federation House : Stoneleigh
Park : Warwickshire : CV8 2RF
T +44(0) 24 76 414999 ext 208 : F +44(0) 24 76 414990
: E api@api-play.org W
www.api-play.org
