In late July, something magical happened. After more than a year of planning, designing, and dreaming about Mansfield's destination playground at Katherine Rose Memorial Park, two members of the Mansfield team finally got to see where the magic happens.
Ann Beck, Mansfield's Marketing and Communications Manager, and Garett Smith, Mansfield's Park Project Manager, embarked on the Landscape Structures PLAY Tour to Delano, Minnesota. What they discovered there wasn't just a manufacturing facility—it was a place where passion meets precision, and where the City of Mansfield's vision for world-class play equipment was taking tangible shape.
Walking through the doors of Landscape Structures, Ann and Garrett weren't just visitors but witnesses to craftspeople at work. The Quantis 8.2 and the custom tower, pieces that will soon become the centerpiece of childhood memories in Mansfield, were being carefully constructed by hands that understand the weight of their responsibility.
"I was prepared to see a manufacturing plant, but the first things I noticed when we walked through the doors were not machines or equipment, but people," Ann reflected. "Not only was it a warm welcome at the entrance, everyone we interacted with throughout the tour was friendly, open, and so excited to talk about their particular role in the process. The enthusiasm and passion was infectious to say the least, and made us even more excited about our new playground than we'd been before the visit… which I wasn't even sure was possible!"
The tour provided an intimate look at every step of the manufacturing process. From the initial metalwork to the final quality checks, every component of Mansfield's playground equipment was being crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
"I was prepared for big machines and automated production, but was surprised (and in awe!) to discover how human the entire manufacturing process is at LSI," Ann explained. "Most of the steps are split between the two, machine versus staff, with real people putting their touch and attention on the segments where it matters most, ensuring amazingly high quality control."
What particularly impressed Ann was the company's commitment to continuous improvement. "I was most impressed by the care taken into developing the production methods as a whole, and especially how LSI so clearly defines that work as an ongoing, ever-evolving process," she noted. "In a world where 'Because that's how we've always done things' is the norm, it was so refreshing to see a company put innovation and improvement as such high priorities."
One of the most striking moments of the tour came when Ann and Garett saw their playground equipment in person for the first time. While they had studied the renderings and specifications extensively, nothing prepared them for the actual scale and presence of the structures.
"We knew going into the planning and design that both the Quantis and the towers were big. We have the measurements, it should not have been any sort of surprise!" Ann emphasized. "But there's nothing quite like seeing it in person… I don't think either of us had any idea just how big they were, and how impressive the structures were up close."
The revelation was transformative. "We spent the entire flight home thinking about how residents will react, how different both structures are from anything in our entire park system, and what a distinctive statement this new playground will be for our department," she continued. "Early on in the design process, one of the consultants mentioned that some cities use the Quantis as the entire playground structure at a park, and I remember thinking that was sort of sad! Once I saw it up close, I understood why… it's more than enough for one park… it's practically an amusement park on its own!"
One of the highlights of the visit was meeting Karlye Emerson, President & CEO of Landscape Structures. Emerson took time from her busy schedule to personally connect with the Mansfield team, sharing in their excitement and understanding the significance this project holds for their community.
What Ann discovered during the visit added even more confidence in their partnership. "I had no idea the company was employee-owned, which speaks to the amount of pride and care they put into their work," she shared. "Knowing that each person who works on our project, from the design team to the fabrication crews, has a literal stake in the outcome really makes us feel even more confident about the end result we'll be getting."
What struck both Ann and Garett most was the human element of the manufacturing process. The production floor buzzed with activity, but it wasn't just about efficiency... it was about pride. Workers took time from their day to explain their craft, to show how each component would fit together, and to share in the excitement of what this playground would mean to a community hundreds of miles away.
"These manufacturers understand that they're not just building playground equipment," Ann reflected. "They're building dreams, creating spaces where families will make memories, and contributing to something that will impact our community for generations."
The attention to detail was remarkable. Every weld, every safety check, every component was treated with the same level of care you'd expect for equipment that will serve thousands of children over its lifetime.
Building Confidence in Inclusive Play
This project represents a significant milestone for Mansfield—it will be their first playground designed to be fully adaptive and inclusive. The manufacturing tour provided crucial insights that strengthened the team's confidence in this new direction.
"This is our first playground designed to be fully adaptive and inclusive, so it's not only a high priority but it's also something that we aren't as familiar with," Ann explained. "Everyone on the team has spent a long time learning about all of the new developments in playground technology that make play possible for every child, and it's both exciting and a little overwhelming."
The hands-on experience at the facility transformed their understanding. "Seeing these adaptations and improvements up close not only helped us better understand how the playground will be more inclusive, it also helped us get really excited about them! We left more confident that the equipment truly will change how Mansfield kids are able to play together, but also better able to explain those adaptations to residents and help everyone else feel equally enthusiastic!"
The Katherine Rose Memorial Park playground isn't just another city project. It's a statement. This destination playground represents more than just swings and slides. It's a commitment to their citizens, an investment in their children's development, and a bold step toward the future of community recreation in their park system. Other municipalities will be watching what Mansfield is doing, and the city is proud to be a pioneer in bringing this level of play experience to Texas communities.
For Ann, the tour reinforced the significance of getting every detail right. "This park is our community's number one priority, and this reimagining has been in development for a LONG time, not without some hesitation and resistance," she emphasized. "I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is for us to get this right, and I have no doubt that LSI is just as committed to our success and excited about the outcome as we are."
The PLAY Tour reinforced what the Mansfield team already knew. They had chosen the right partner for this ambitious project. Landscape Structures doesn't just manufacture playground equipment; they create experiences. The company's commitment to quality, safety, and innovation mirrors Mansfield's own values and aspirations for its community.
From the executive leadership to the production floor workers, everyone at Landscape Structures demonstrated a deep understanding of the responsibility they bear. They're not just fulfilling a contract; they're helping to realize a community's vision.
The tour experience has equipped Ann with a wealth of insights to share with Mansfield residents, helping them understand and appreciate the exceptional quality of their new playground.
"The tour gave us so much more to talk about with residents regarding the equipment, especially all of the little details they might not notice or know to look for, because I didn't either!" Ann explained. "There are so many small moments… from little creatures carved into the side of a stump to the complex, but ingenious, process for printing graphics to ensure durability, that all come together to create incredibly high-quality work. I took home a notebook full of insights to share, all things that will help our residents and our leadership better understand and appreciate the new playground and its value."
What excites Ann most about sharing with the community isn't necessarily the most obvious features. "I can't decide what part of our new playground equipment I am most excited for our community to see… truthfully we have a lot of internal debates/pools going regarding what element will be the most popular, and my answer has changed every week since we first started planning!" she said. "Having gone on the tour, I have an entirely new perspective. Now, I think the most powerful and longest-lasting impact to the community will not be the really big equipment, but rather the tiny details. So much care has gone into creating really quality structures that are engaging, inclusive, and built to last, and that attention to detail is hard to miss."
As Ann and Garett returned to Texas, they brought with them more than just progress reports. They carried the excitement, passion, and commitment they witnessed in Delano back to the City of Mansfield. Since the groundbreaking announcement in June 2024 and the reveal of the revolutionary new equipment at the National American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Conference in early October 2024, this has been an exciting build-up of what is to come to the City of Mansfield.
The Katherine Rose Memorial Park playground is still taking shape, but thanks to the PLAY Tour, the City of Mansfield now has an even deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship, care, and commitment that's going into every component. The tour experience has strengthened Ann and the city’s confidence in the process as well: "I'm sure I am repeating myself but I just really loved the attention to detail clearly shown at each step of the production process, and it makes me feel so much more confident that the same level of care will be paid to installation and final adjustments."
When families gather at Mansfield's new destination playground, they'll be experiencing not just world-class equipment, but the passion and pride of everyone who helped bring this vision to life. This is more than just a playground—it's a testament to what's possible when a community dreams big and partners with people who share that vision. The City of Mansfield's future of play is in excellent hands, and residents couldn't be more excited to experience it.