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Press Releases
For more information, contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewisburg, PA (August 15, 2005) --- Next week, the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) and Playworld Systems will unveil a park that is sure to be the first of many across the U.S. -- a world-class, multigenerational destination park unlike any other that provides unique and unusual outdoor physical fitness opportunities for toddlers, children, teens, adults and seniors all in one park. |
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Officially set to open on Saturday, August 20, the 22-acre Lewisburg Area Recreation Park, commonly referred to as St. Mary’s Street Park, is part of a $2.5 million renovation project that will add a skate park, climbing boulders, multiple playgrounds, and a senior wellness path to existing park features such as tennis courts, an ice skating rink, community pool and a basketball court. Last year, amid discussions between Playworld Systems and LARA to create a fantastic park for the entire community, a major manufacturer adjacent to the park left Lewisburg. When that occurred, the renovation of the park became a major economic development initiative. Local officials and community leaders viewed the park renovation as a community beautification project that would attract more companies, tourists and people to the Lewisburg area. As part of the renovation, Playworld Systems donated approximately $500,000 worth of equipment and other important funds to help repair roofs and correct drainage problems at the park. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) offered additional technical assistance and a $500,000 matching grant for the project. Lewisburg Destination Park “This park will be an enormous asset to the entire Lewisburg area and the town is grateful to Playworld Systems and LARA, as well as the many other companies, state agencies and people who have helped make the park a reality,” said Lewisburg Mayor Judith Wagner. “I am sure this park will be enjoyed by many people throughout the region for years to come.” The additions to the park are considered to be top of the line in every aspect. Through its different brands, Playworld Systems worked with LARA to donate: • A Playworld playground featuring some of the most unique recreational structures in the industry has been added for children 5-12. Featuring a series of towers, slides and ladders, the mammoth playground was designed to develop social skills as well as provide children with fitness, balance, strength and aerobic activities. • An adjoining PlayDesigns’ playground was added to the park to create both age and developmentally specific activities for children ages 1-5. This section of the park features lower steps, smaller handholds and physically and mentally challenging playground activities. • A skate park designed by Playworld System’s Woodward Ramps & Rails brand that provides skate boarders, BMX bikers and in-line skaters with the highest quality, lowest maintenance, most rideable skate park products available. • A series of seven outdoor wellness stations designed by LifeTrail to turn a daily walk into a more complete fitness program for active older adults. The stations, developed in collaboration with gerontology, kinesiology and recreation experts from Penn State University, are designed to provide age appropriate physical activity to maintain and enhance endurance, flexibility, strength and balance. • Climbing Boulders, designed with the help of professional boulder climbers, are being added to the park in five different sizes. The boulders look and feel like real rock, while the rounded edges and rock-like texture provide hand and footholds with a real natural feel for park visitors. Lewisburg Destination Park "We spared no expense to renovate the outdated park,” said Dale Miller, CEO of Playworld Systems. “The community has been very good to us over the years and the Playworld family was happy to contribute to building a world-class, multigenerational destination park right in our backyard." "The park has activities for everyone to enjoy,” said Greg A. Weitzel, executive director of LARA. "Our goal was not only to provide active recreation for all ages, but also to create some passive leisure time activities, walking, and an environmental education component, which together will make the park a shining example for other communities across the nation." The park will hold a grand opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 20. Extreme sports professionals and a senior fitness instructor will be on hand to demonstrate the equipment to Pennsylvania dignitaries. The event is open to the public and will be part of a day full of activities at the park, including prize giveaways for some lucky attendees. For questions about the park opening, please feel free to contact LARA at (570) 524-4774. Headquartered in Lewisburg, Playworld Systems is the commercial leader in customized recreation equipment expertly designed to provide fun and challenging activities that increase mental and physical wellness. With more than 30 years of experience, the family-owned company offers a variety of recreational solutions that develop physical strength, balance and aerobic activity, as well as enhancing social skills. Through its five brands - Playworld, PlayDesigns, Woodward Ramps and Rails, LifeTrail and Climbing Boulders - Playworld Systems is recognized by its customers as a one-stop shop that offers the most innovative, creative and imaginative recreational products in the world.
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