Michael Suk

Michael Suk
Dr. Michael Suk has spoken to over 100 organizations on the importance of increasing personal fitness and becoming healthier. He is a strong advocate for play and has presented medical research findings on the benefits of play, especially playing outdoors in nature. He believes that, "simple outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and camping on public lands and waters can serve as a gateway to a healthier lifestyle."

Free-Range Kids

Free-Range Kids - Lenore Skenazy
The blog, Free-Range Kids, is written by Lenore Skenazy, who was dubbed "America's Worst Mom" by the media for allowing her 9-year-old son to ride the subway in New York City alone. The Free-Range Kids blog has become one of the central clearinghouse websites for airing concerns of media reports that demonstrate the trends of adults who overly protect children from perceived dangers.

Landscape Structures

Landscape Structures
In 1971, Steve King and his wife, Barb, founded Landscape Structures Inc. in Delano, Minnesota, to manufacture playground equipment. Their early innovations have continued to expand to include playsystems, natural-looking climbers, inclusive play products, fitness equipment, stand alone events, skateparks, playground surfacing, and site amenities.

Robert Heath

Robert Heath
Robert Heath was born in England, educated in Scotland, and worked in Australia before coming to the United States in 1968. While working as a commentator for equestrian events in the United Kingdom, Robert noticed how the shredded wood fiber in the training tracks and in the breeding sheds was "quiet and soft." He decided to bring the idea to the United States.

Rolf Huber

Rolf Huber
Rolf Huber has been involved in inventing flooring and poured-in-place surfacing for running tracks, gym floors, and playgrounds. He has been a key player in setting standards for surfacing and promoting impact testing equipment.

National Playground Contractors Association Inc

National Playground Contractors Association Inc founders
The National Playground Contractors Association Inc (NPCAI) is a non-profit organization started in February of 1997 in order to provide a support program and set standards for playground construction professionals. Originally the National Playground Contractors Association (NPCA), the organization was founded by six playground contractors: Dave Antonacci, Mike Baker, Paul Cullins, Mike Egan, Laz Gonzales and Curtis Stoddard.

Strength

Strength
Muscular strength is the ability of the body to exert a maximum force against an object external to the body in one maximum effort using the body's muscles. Children do much to enhance their physical strength by engaging in daily active play.

Tom Kalousek

Tom Kalousek
Tom Kalousek began working for the Bensenville Park District in Illinois after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography/Geology. He supervised maintenance there and subsequently at the nearby Arlington Height Park District and the Elmhurst Park District. During this time Tom began a long association with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). Tom is also on the steering committee of the US Play Coalition that was formed at Clemson University in 2009.
Subscribe to

pgpedia-footer