Spring CEU Sessions

Web Presentation CAN BC Champlain Heights Community Centre 84

Join us for four online CEU sessions this spring.

Course Descriptions
Presenter Information

Spring Online CEU Sessions

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Which Session or Sessions Will You Be Attending?

Scroll below for course descriptions and presenter information.

Keep it Cool: Climate Adaptations and Shade Solutions

Presented by Melinda Pearson

Keep cool and play on! Parks today face the challenge of providing environments where all visitors can feel safe, secure and fully engaged. Shade is becoming increasingly important in a wide range of outdoor recreational environments. Shade structures increase the safety, functionality and longevity of everything they cover and protect. In this continuing education session, participants will discover how to plan, budget and specify for the most appropriate shade elements to meet their unique needs. 

Statistics show an increase in the incidence of skin cancers and other medical conditions caused by excess sun exposure. Melanoma is among the most common forms of cancer in adolescents and young adults. Often that is the result of repeat sunburns in childhood. Shade structures not only reduce UV exposure by as much as 97%, but also create cool comfortable environments where people can enjoy the many benefits of outdoor recreation.

We are authorized to provide .1 CEUs, 1 LUs and 1 PDHs, which meet Health, Safety and Welfare credits. We also offer AIA credit including nano units. After this 60-minute Learning Academy session, you’ll have an understanding of the following learning objectives:

  • Identify the wide range of shade options and how to choose the right shade structure for your needs.
  • Understand whether your project is driven by aesthetic, function, or budget?
  • Articulate the design and construction process steps.
  • Specify and budget for shade systems correctly.

Inclusive Spray Play

Presented by Heidi Stengel and Ariel Mansholt

Communities across the country are adding spray parks as one of the most highly requested and utilized recreation amenities. How can these be universally designed to be inclusive for people of all ages and abilities? This session will examine the best practices for creating spray parks using a case study to highlight concepts for successful design that is fun for people with and without disabilities, children, parents, and grandparents alike.

We are authorized to provide .1 CEUs, 1 LUs and 1 PDHs, which meet Health, Safety and Welfare credits. We also offer AIA credit including nano units. After this 60-minute Learning Academy session, you’ll have an understanding of the following learning objectives:

  • Understand the growing trend in spray grounds and splash parks and explain the benefits of water play for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Identify the best practice recommendations for designing inclusive spray parks including all the site features that support an inclusive splash park.
  • Identity the different areas and features of an inclusive splash pad and how this support age-appropriate play and the needs of those with an assortment of medical needs.

Poligon Shelters and Shade Structures

Presented by Brad Fritz

Join us for an educational session from Poligon that highlights the values and benefits of working with a specialty manufacturer to design, engineer, and fabricate an open air steel structure.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Learn how and why Health, Wellness and Biophilic Design are now more important factors in design of open-air structures than in previous years.
  • Learn the differences in materials you are accustomed to using and understand the benefits steel has that others do not, specifically when it comes to permanent vs temporary structures. Designing a long-term solution for your client does not have to mean brick and mortar.
  • Gain tools that will help you analyze the different vendor partners you have access to which will help to keep your project competitive. Reading between the lines of product specs and performance specs.
  • Understand the differences and benefits of going with prefabricated versus site build. One of the most underrated being safety. Without the need of cutting, welding, grinding, and painting, work areas are safer and reduce the potential of hazardous exposure.

Smart Bike Parking & Trends

Presented by Travis Even

Habitat Systems and Dero Bike Racks are offering a one-hour CEU session on April 25th. We’re excited to have Dero Bike Racks, experts in urban mobility, explore why advocating for and building cycling infrastructure is more important than ever. This presentation will cover the latest technologies, space optimization strategies, security measures, and sustainable designs shaping bike parking.

Our Presenters

Melinda Pearson, Regional Sales Manager
Landscape Structures

With over 30 years’ experience in the recreation industry, Melinda has helped deliver hundreds of unique and creative playground projects around the globe. She’s known in the industry for her thorough and user-centric approach to each project. She focuses on play value and inclusivity, using creativity to help children and adults develop their imagination and engage at every age to interact with the world around them in a meaningful way. Her decades of experience working for a design firm, along with her time at another play-centric manufacturer, give her keen insight into collaborating with parks and recreation professionals, LSI representatives, and design teams to deliver successful projects.

Heidi Stengel, Sales Design Manager
Landscape Structures

Heidi Stengel joined Aquatix in early 2021. In her role as a Sales Design Manager, she supports Aquatix front line sales channel and manages the pre-sale design team. She and her team help guide the sales process from start to finish for a successful project. Her goal is to bring your vision to life and in budget. Since joining Aquatix, Heidi has made multiple appearances across North America to provide continuing education seminars on topics related to splash pad design, budgeting, site selection and more. She also regularly provides lunch and learn sessions within our sales channel on topics ranging from the design process to new product releases. Heidi is a 2007 graduate of St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud MN. She graduated with a degree in marketing with emphasis in public relations.

Ariel Mansholt, Inclusive Play Specialist
Landscape Structures

Ariel is a pediatric and adolescent occupational therapist with clinical experience in outpatient as well as the school setting. Ariel was inspired to pursue a degree in occupational therapy (OT) as she participated in her own Autistic brothers OT growing up as a child. As an inclusive play specialist with Landscape Structures, Ariel uses her clinical and academic knowledge to help inform the inclusive design process and continue education to designers. Ariel is also a certified playground safety inspector (CPSI).

Brad Fritz, Sales Manager
PorterCorp

Brad has worked for PorterCorp for 18 years. Most of his time is spent presenting AIA & ASLA CEU courses for both Poligon and CEAS+. He also collaborates with architects and contractors to help create solutions for their clients. He likes spending time outdoors and attending live concerts whenever possible.

Travis Even, National Account Manager
Dero Bike Racks

Travis Even is the National Account Manager at Dero and has been with the company since 2009. He has assisted with the design of hundreds of bike rooms and lends his expertise as a commuter, bicycle tourist, and – more recently – as a bicycle parent with children in tow.