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FRISCO — A futuristic playground opened Friday at Frisco Marina Park, where some out-of-state visitors had fun in the sun.
Carly Peterson, 9, most enjoyed running on the feature called the “Supernova.”
“It’s hard. It’s fun, though,” she said while keeping her balance on the slanted wheel as it turned like a merry-go-round.
Her mother, Tara Peterson, said the family of four was on vacation from Shakopee, Minn., when they noticed the shiny new playground and decided to stop and play.
The equipment is manufactured by Kompan, a company that started in Denmark more than 35 years ago. Dianne Schade, owner of Made in the Schade — a distributor in Denver — said the innovative equipment is designed to get children outside and “to be physical.”
“They (Kompan) pride themselves in doing a lot of research in child development,” she said.
Another unusual component, the “rocking tube” looks like a narrow, rubber slide.
“You can climb up and slide down, but you also maintain balance while doing that,” Schade said.
The tube leads up to a climb across a variety of strange, slanted shapes and spinning objects before ending on a moving triangle.
“The obstacle course is just a bit hard,” Carly Peterson said.
The equipment was designed for kids ages five through 12. A second area, for kids younger than five, includes a structure similar to a ship. Schade said the equipment here is lower because younger children haven’t developed as much upper-body strength.
“We’re seeing an increasing rate in obesity in children,” she said. “The idea with this equipment is to find something different and unique.”
The playground cost less than $100,000 and is expected to help the town grow, said town spokesman Tim Bock.
“We did a process of reviewing about five different companies back in April,” he said. “This one, we felt, was the most unique, with a futuristic look and nice blend of creative play and physical play combined together.”
He said the attraction is expected to encourage tourists to “spend time” in the community as well.
The equipment meets international environmenal standards, Schade said, noting that no PVC was used in the plastic components.
It is also safety-certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association, according to the Kompan.
Frisco planner Jocelyn Mills said the Frisco Open Space and Trails committee first recommended the playground to the town council, which put it in the 2008 budget.
“It looks great, and I’m sure all the area kids and visiting kids will like it,” she said. “My kids can’t wait to go.”
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
Carly Peterson, 9, most enjoyed running on the feature called the “Supernova.”
“It’s hard. It’s fun, though,” she said while keeping her balance on the slanted wheel as it turned like a merry-go-round.
Her mother, Tara Peterson, said the family of four was on vacation from Shakopee, Minn., when they noticed the shiny new playground and decided to stop and play.
The equipment is manufactured by Kompan, a company that started in Denmark more than 35 years ago. Dianne Schade, owner of Made in the Schade — a distributor in Denver — said the innovative equipment is designed to get children outside and “to be physical.”
“They (Kompan) pride themselves in doing a lot of research in child development,” she said.
Another unusual component, the “rocking tube” looks like a narrow, rubber slide.
“You can climb up and slide down, but you also maintain balance while doing that,” Schade said.
The tube leads up to a climb across a variety of strange, slanted shapes and spinning objects before ending on a moving triangle.
“The obstacle course is just a bit hard,” Carly Peterson said.
The equipment was designed for kids ages five through 12. A second area, for kids younger than five, includes a structure similar to a ship. Schade said the equipment here is lower because younger children haven’t developed as much upper-body strength.
“We’re seeing an increasing rate in obesity in children,” she said. “The idea with this equipment is to find something different and unique.”
The playground cost less than $100,000 and is expected to help the town grow, said town spokesman Tim Bock.
“We did a process of reviewing about five different companies back in April,” he said. “This one, we felt, was the most unique, with a futuristic look and nice blend of creative play and physical play combined together.”
He said the attraction is expected to encourage tourists to “spend time” in the community as well.
The equipment meets international environmenal standards, Schade said, noting that no PVC was used in the plastic components.
It is also safety-certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association, according to the Kompan.
Frisco planner Jocelyn Mills said the Frisco Open Space and Trails committee first recommended the playground to the town council, which put it in the 2008 budget.
“It looks great, and I’m sure all the area kids and visiting kids will like it,” she said. “My kids can’t wait to go.”
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
