![\"Playtime\"](\"https:\/\/lamesacourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/playground1.jpg\")
<\/a>Norquist along with city officials and representatives of La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation officially cut the ribbon on the new playground equipment at La Mesita Park on Jan. 15.<\/p>\n
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor Mark Arapostathis thanked the private-public partnership that made the new equipment possible and also pointed out why playgrounds are important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an important reason we are upgrading this playground, mainly because of children\u2019s health,\u201d he said and cited statistics from Centers for Disease Control that show that 20 percent of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or obese. \u201cAnd while the fix for this problem is multi-pronged and complicated, there is no question that having [\u2026] parks is the first step in encouraging weight-losing physical activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mayor, who has also been a teacher for many years, also praised the striking design of the new playground.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been around lots of playground equipment and nothing looks like this,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s unusual looking. It\u2019s inviting. It\u2019s structurally unique to the playground experience. It\u2019s made for children to explore. It challenges their minds and challenges them physically. It works for all levels, for children as young as 5 all the way up to 15, there is something for them to interact with on this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norquist further explained the design elements of the new equipment as well as some of the thought process that went into making the Modern City product line.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to have something where form is primary. We wanted to have a striking look to it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s tall, it\u2019s got these beautiful castings that your eyes go to. You see these X shapes in the design so it\u2019s very attractive. And then we loaded it with play value. Every single upright support has multiple opportunities for play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Modern City playground has three different areas. One is for preschool-aged children; a larger playground is for bigger kids; and there is also a separate swing set area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe moved [the swings] over to the side so nobody runs into the people while they are swinging. So from a safety standpoint, it\u2019s a really great design,\u201d Norquist said.<\/p>\n