The Future of Play: O Zone Showcases High-Tech Playground
February 28, 2010
Children scrambling over the innovative play structure in the Richmond Olympic Oval pavilion at the Richmond O Zone don’t know it’s the latest in technology to keep them active and healthy.
They only know it’s fun.
The new structure, called Icon, being demonstrated at the O Zone as part of the Oval pavilion’s focus on wellness, offers a unique, interactive experience for children, with games for single or multiple players using push buttons, coloured flashing lights and sounds.
Parent Joe Meylor approves of the interactive concept. “Not only is it great for the physical aspect,” he said, “but it also helps to develop their minds intellectually. It teaches kids to think.”
According to the Kompan Play Institute, which designed and built the new play structure, more children are leading increasingly sedentary lives due to popularity of the Internet and video games. In North America, 33 per cent of children are not getting enough exercise, while 25 to 30 per cent of children are overweight or obese. The structure is developed to encourage children to remain active.
“We are thrilled with the response from children and families to the latest in outdoor playground equipment,” says Susan Crawford, manager of Delta-based RecTec Industries Inc., distributor of Kompan’s Icon electronic playgrounds. She adds, “From the minute they enter the demonstration tent, kids and parents are completely engaged in active play, which only helps to drive home the ‘from the playground to the podium’ message of these Olympic Games.”
While there is only one day left of the Richmond O Zone for children to test drive the new play area, Gord Barstow, manager of park operations with the City of Richmond, said the City is considering the Icon play structure as a future pilot project. “At the moment, we are looking for an ideal location for the Icon play structure to ensure that as many children as possible can use it,” says Barstow.
The playground is open in the Richmond O Zone today, noon to 10 p.m. You’ll find it in the Oval pavilion, adjacent to the Ice Zone.
