|
Sustainabilty � Architecture � Sociology � Stuff
|
The shorter days, the crispness in the air, the Halloween decorations in every neighborhood can only mean one thing - fall is in full swing. And while not as colorful as, say, our New England counterparts, autumn in the desert has its own distinctive flair.
Only one problem: blink and it's gone. You could say that about the entire second half of any year for that matter. July 4 to Labor Day is a sprint and it only gets faster from there. Like a snowball (or tumbleweed) picking up speed as it rolls downhill, the weeks and months fly by and soon we're staring Thanksgiving and Christmas square in the face.
But it doesn't have to be that way. As I write this, we're experiencing one of those picture perfect Las Vegas afternoons that makes the Chamber of Commerce jump for joy: crystal clear skies, a gentle breeze and the temp topping out at an exceedingly comfortable 75 degrees. So here's what I'm going to do - back away from the keyboard, step outside, take a few deep breaths and let the sun's rays work their magic. In other words, I'm going to live in the moment (even if only for a moment). Give it a try and I'm pretty sure the rest of your day will go a little easier. And if you see me in the parking lot resembling a lizard on a warm rock, be sure to smile and wave.
-Craig
|
Mountain's Edge Regional Park and Trail - Phase 1
Mountain's Edge Regional Park and Trail Phase 1 is a 17-acre park located in the Mountain's Edge community in southwest Las Vegas, Nevada. From April 2013 to September 2014, LGA was part of a design build team tasked to provide design innovation to the bridging documents provided by the client - Clark County. The official grand opening ceremonies will take place on Friday, October 24 at 10:30 in the morning.
The park embodies the theme of health and wellness within the uses and activities provided. The goal was to provide a park for all ages, toddler through adult, with varied levels of passive to active participation.
The park features open fields for self-organized sports and a sports wall area with 12 different sports integrated into the design, including: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, field hockey, tennis, handball, racquetball, cricket, lacrosse and a Mayan circle. The park integrates an iconic entry gateway climber, a children's play area with equipment designed to combine play and digital games, an outdoor gym, a toddler bike town, a meditation garden, a grass- sloped amphitheater and a two-acre walking trail. Large shaded group picnic structures and small shade structures for individual use round out the important elements of the site.
Our design team developed a smart phone application and site signage using QR codes to access information that incorporates how to use equipment, individual health and wellness tracking, scheduling, and information on park events.
|
Tips for a Safe Halloween
Halloween is a fun holiday, but it can also be one of the most dangerous for children. Here are a few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect kids who plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween:
- Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.
- Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the Flame Resistant label. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
- Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
- For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights.
- To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
- Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother's high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
- Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
- Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
- Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.
- Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should walk, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.
- Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
- Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
- People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
