This-N-That
Field Notes
BCI Burke announced that Barrs Recreation has been named its exclusive representative for Virginia. The company is a long-term partner with Burke, having represented the firm’s playground and recreation products in North and South Carolina for nearly a decade.
EZ Dock, a manufacturer of polyethylene floating dock systems and lifts, celebrates its 25 years of product offerings including dock systems, boat, pontoon and PWC Lifts, EZ Launch, EZ Trail, and many accessories to fit everyone’s needs. Follow the company’s social media for contests throughout the year to celebrate this milestone.
MV Sport, a supplier of custom decorated apparel, announced that it has completed the purchase of The Game brand from Delta Apparel. The Game, best known for its iconic trademarked “Bar Design,” is a supplier of apparel and headwear in the college and team dealer markets.
John Deere recently marked a manufacturing milestone with the completion of the 500,000th unit built at the Turf Care factory in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. The unit, a John Deere ZTrak Mower, was celebrated by the entire factory.
To reinforce their combined strengths of artificial turf research, manufacturing, construction and maintenance, ProGrass and Act Global have consolidated product brands to be called “Xtreme Turf.” The companies have already been successful partners for more than four years, but maintained independent product brands until now.
BioSafe Systems recently hired Melissa Carserino to focus primarily on new product development, including vendor relations. She comes to BioSafe from Chemtura Corporation, where she worked as a Technical Sales Service Engineer and Product and Market Analyst.
HaloSource Inc, parent company to the SeaKlear brand of pool and spa water treatment products, is celebrating the 30th birthday of its SeaKlear Natural Clarifier, the product that set the standard for clariifying pool and hot tub water over the past 3 decades. The company will be hosting promotions and dealer events throughout 2015 to celebrate the anniversary.
Redexim Turf Products, a division of Redexim N.A., is expanding its factory store model into the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The expansion will be spearheaded by Troy von Holdt, who brings over 15 years of experience in the golf and sports turf industry, working at both the local dealer level as well as at the national level in his former role with Redexim N.A.
Cre8Play, a custom play designer and manufacturer, hired Danny Byrd to lead the team in design innovation. Byrd holds six patents and brings enthusiasm and a wealth of industry knowledge to the company. He led design and production while working with Jack Pentes, inventor of soft contained play equipment.
Safeplay Systems Inc., a designer/manufacturer/installer of commercial playground equipment made from post-consumer, recycle HDPE plastic (milk jugs) based in Marietta, Ga., changed its name to EcoPlay Playgrounds and launched its new brand and corporate website at www.ecoplayplaygrounds.com. The announcement comes at the beginning of the company’s 25th anniversary.
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PERC Quantifies How Propane Performs On Golf Course Equipment
In 2015, eight U.S. golf courses — including one municipal operation — will be testing alternative fuel landscape equipment through an inaugural research program with the Propane Education & Research Council.
The demonstration program will lease propane-powered turf equipment to participating courses chosen for their commitment to environmental practices. Included in the group of courses is the Columbus Municipal Golf Courses operated by the Recreation and Parks Department of the city of Columbus (Ohio). Each course, which is currently Audubon International certified or in the process of completing their certification, will receive four pieces of R&R Products propane-powered equipment.
The participating courses will record and report performance data, such as fuel savings and emissions, to PERC throughout the trial period. For more information on propane and propane-powered equipment offerings in the commercial landscape industry, visit propane.com.
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IPEMA Honored For Play Research Support
San Antonio, Texas—The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association, the industry’s playground safety certification organization, was honored by the board of the Frost Play Research Collection for its decade-long support for the library and resources provided on behalf of advancing the study of play. The Collection, housed at the University of the Incarnate Word, is the country’s most prominent compilation of rare historical works and photography from the 19th century to the present day, including a copy of the first book on playgrounds written in America. Founded by Dr. Joe Frost, known in the industry as “the contemporary father of play advocacy,” the collection is comprised of materials from Frost’s extensive research library, as well as other play and related items purchased by the library.
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Hayward Launches A Product Support Center
Elizabeth, N.J.—Hayward Pool Products announces a new support center, providing quick and convenient access to the majority of product manuals, troubleshooting guides, videos, FAQs, and quick reference guides—all in one centralized location. This new section of Hayward.com is designed to facilitate the maintenance of Hayward products.
Hayward invites pool professionals to visit Hayward.com/Support to review and share the latest addition to the company’s support offerings. Certain reference materials for pool professional use, such as gas or electrical troubleshooting guides, were purposely left out of the support center but may still be found by logging into the Totally Hayward site and visiting Hayward University.
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Accu-Tab Specialists Create Ripple Effect For Growth
Colorado Springs, Colo. — Forty-one Accu-Tab Specialists committed to fund local aquatic programs in their own communities this year, through a cooperative partnership with Axiall Corporation and the non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) Step Into Swim Campaign. Axiall’s Water Treatment Products business, manufacturers of the Accu-Tab system, and the NSPF recently agreed to each donate $5,000, for a total of $10,000, to augment the pledges.
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Model Flying Opens Program Pool
When looking for a new activity for your park, consider model flying. The Academy of Model Aeronautics has developed a website for creating and maintaining a new flying site. Learn more about adding a site where modelers can safely and legally fly their models and drones, and the specifications for creating an overfly area away from people, cars, and buildings. Visit http://why.modelaircraft.org.
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St. Charles Park District Welcomes New Faces To Primrose Farm
The St. Charles Park District in Illinois appointed two new staff members at Primrose Farm. Laura Johns has been named Manager of Farm Programs and Interpretive Services. Johns, who had served as the interim Primrose Farm manager since November 2014, took over the post in January.
Johns joined the park district in April 2014 as Educator and Lead Interpreter. That post has recently been filled by Cate Stuart, who joined the park district in January. Stuart has previously worked for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and with The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center in Highlands, North Carolina.
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Word On The Web
On “Say Goodbye Say Hello” March 13 Week-Ender Blog:
Awesome!
I always look forward to your blog ... thank you for your continued excellence in touching the heart with your prose.
--Rosemary Spielmann
Excellent article—witty and true!
--Barbara Johnston
Sympatico, Calif.
It's a good thing that I always feel better after a good cry.
--Angela Kamm
Love it!
--Gail Brahier
City of Oxford
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On “Spring Thaw And Cold Memories” March 20 Week-Ender Blog:
Greetings from Oshkosh, and thanks for your empathy. This year hasn't been so bad, but our definition of bad is very different from those who are not from the wonderful state of Wisconsin.
--Vicky Redlin, Wisconsin
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Calendar
September
15-17 National Recreation and Parks Association National Congress, Las Vegas, Nev.
October
6-9 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, Mankato, Minn.; www.mnrpa.org
7-9 World Aquatic Health Conference, Scottsdale, Ariz.—Scottsdale Plaza Resort; www.nspf.org
13-16 Colorado Parks & Recreation Association, Breckenridge, Colo.—Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center; www.cpra-web.org
21-23 Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Trade Show, Hot Springs, Ark.—Hot Springs Convention Center; www.arkarpa.org
22-23 The Green Industry and Equipment (GIE) Expo, Louisville, Ky.—Kentucky Exposition Center;
(800) 558-8767 or www.gie-expo.com