As climate change accelerates, cities must rethink how they manage water, mitigate flooding, and build sustainable environments. Join PlayCore and The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) for a live panel discussion featuring five global leaders in landscape architecture and urban water management, moderated by Elizabeth Mossop (Oberlander Prize Jury Chair). The most recent Oberlander Prize winner and leading global advocate for the “sponge cities” concept for mitigating urban flooding, Kongjian Yu (China), Jasper Hugtenburg (Netherlands), Mia Lehrer (USA), Kotchakorn Voraakhom (Thailand), and Herbert Dreiseitl (Germany) will share their expertise on innovative, nature-based solutions, from sponge cities and river restoration to flood resilience and water-conscious urban planning. This engaging conversation will explore how integrating green and blue infrastructure can create healthier, more adaptable cities. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the world’s leading visionaries shaping the future of water-sensitive urban design. PlayCore is honored to partner with The Cultural Landscape Foundation on this series as they continue to set the bar and produce beautiful content that highlights the importance of landscape architecture and its critical role in connecting people to places.

People of all ages and abilities have the fundamental right to access the benefits of quality parks and recreation. This panel will feature disability advocates, parks and recreation professionals, and accessibility experts who will share their perspectives and create awareness about common barriers to inclusion. Gain insightful strategies and considerations to help ensure facilities, programs, and services are designed to create a positive, welcoming environment, and staff can confidently welcome individuals with disabilities and strengthen community connections. This is the second session of a four-part webinar series, Beyond the Minimums. This webinar includes real-time captioning. Video remote interpreting (VRI) provided upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks before the live webinar date.

Choosing an appropriate playground surfacing is one of the most important factors in developing a safe outdoor play environment. This useful resource was created to raise awareness about some considerations to make when planning, purchasing, and protecting your playground surfacing investment. Case examples are highlighted to provide a comprehensive overview on the features and benefits of the variety of types of safety surfaces available. Considerations are also explored that can further enhance play value at your parks and playgrounds. The guide offers planning checklists, resources, and inspection tools to help assist in simplifying the selection, installation, and maintenance process to ensure the safety and enjoyment of users.

The accessibility standards for playgrounds have been the minimum requirement for all newly constructed and altered playgrounds for 13 years, yet their application remains inconsistent and often misunderstood in new playground designs. Ensuring compliance while fostering inclusive and engaging play experiences for all requires a deep understanding of both the ADA Standards and ASTM public playground safety requirements. Join Jennifer Skulski and Bill Botten, both national experts in the accessibility of playgrounds, as they address some of the most complex and frequently asked questions surrounding playground accessibility. This session will explore the practical application of accessibility requirements, clarify common misconceptions when integrating new play trends, and examine the ongoing challenge of selecting and maintaining accessible playground surfacing. Attendees will gain actionable insights to enhance accessibility and inclusion in playground design beyond the minimum standards. This webinar includes real-time captioning. Video remote interpreting (VRI) is provided upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

From Boomers to Gen Alpha, it's not uncommon for aquatic facilities to see five generations visiting for wellness and play opportunities. Join the leadership from the Association of Aquatic Professionals as we discuss trends in aquatic design to meet the needs of guests of all ages and abilities and dig into programming ideas that can be incorporated into new and innovative spaces as well as traditional aquatic facilities.

Discover how playful placemaking can transform the way you engage communities and design meaningful spaces. In this interactive session, we’ll demonstrate the power of play as a tool for visioning and engagement by working through real-world examples in real time. Participants will learn how playful strategies can spark creativity, build trust, and uncover the deeper needs of the communities they serve. Designed for both parks and recreation professionals and design professionals, this session will explore how combining play with the design process fosters inclusive, resilient, and community-driven environments. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your community engagement process or enhance your design approach, this session offers practical insights and techniques you can apply immediately. Join us as we bring a project to life using playful placemaking methods, and leave inspired to reimagine the possibilities for your own work.

The Unleashed: Off-leash Dog Park Design Trends and Planning Tips guidebook helps communities effectively advocate for the many benefits of off-leash dog parks. Dog parks provide enjoyable ways to recreate and exercise for both dog owners and their dogs. They also create community destinations. Research shows there are many positive effects for individuals that own a dog(s); as well as health and social benefits of owning a dog, caring for it, and recreating outdoors with pets. In addition, design considerations and case study examples are outlined to effectively design a dog park and champion initiatives that provide meaningful outcomes supporting overall health and social benefits for the community.

In order to ensure equitable use by all, aquatic agencies and facilities must understand, embrace and respond to inclusive guidelines and programming, align to community needs, and implement innovative ways to offer environments that serve diverse individuals. This session will explore evidence-based health benefits of water immersion, share meaningful facility design strategies, and review ADA and ABA guidelines to make your facility a place for everyBODY to enjoy.

Join us for our "Summer Programming Survival Guide" webinar, designed to equip park and recreation professionals with essential strategies for a successful summer season. This engaging session will cover best practices for summer planning, leadership techniques with a social equity focus, and methods to prevent burnout. Additionally, discover creative ideas to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month and ensure your community enjoys a memorable and inclusive summer.

Ensuring inclusion, regardless of age or ability, to independently participate in a wide range of recreation facilities is the goal of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Adopted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) the standards establish minimum accessibility requirements for all new construction or alterations of existing recreational facilities after March 15, 2012. The standards apply to state and local government facilities covered by title II and places of public accommodation covered by title III. This session will go beyond the minimum requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design for recreation facilities including considerations for surfacing, site amenities, site arrival points, outdoor inclusive fitness equipment, play areas, and much more. Attendees will develop a better understanding of the features that make a park or play area inclusive for everyone. The session will provide tools and resources to help evaluate the level of compliance of existing recreation facilities. This webinar includes real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI) upon request. To request video interpreting services, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the webinar date.