Category: General Information

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Consumer Grade Vs. Commercial Grade

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” ~Proverbs 10:4

Commercial Grade furniture is a must for any hotel, resort, restaurant, campground, athletic facility or other indoor/outdoor setting. Not only is commercial grade furniture suitable for heavy-duty use, it is manufactured to accommodate heavier traffic and to meet the specific needs of all different types of industries.

What benefits should you look for in Commercial Grade furniture?

  • Comes with a warranty
  • Can be easily stacked for storage
  • Rugged construction for longer use
  • Can be customized to fit your personal demands
  • Other benefits include the easy of maintenance, the availability of parts in case of damage and the large variety of matching accessories such as umbrellas and cushions.

Comfortable, attractive Commercial Grade furniture is becoming more and more crucial to the success of a business. The design of these furnishings can increase the satisfaction of guests, decrease injuries because of its durability, and give your business a more professional, modern appearance to incoming visitors.

A poor design or substandard furniture can have serious negative effects on the bottom line of a growing business’s profits over time. Taking the time to call us to purchase your quality Commercial Grade furnishings will pay off in the longevity and health of your business.

What Commercial Grade materials will work best for you?

  • Acrylic/Sling
  • Aluminum
  • Concrete
  • Resin
  • Other Commercial Grade materials to keep in mind when deciding what would work best for your area are fiberglass, recycled plastic, steel, vinyl and wood

A distinction must be made between Commercial Grade and Consumer Grade! The difference lies in the durability of how Commercial Grade furniture is built. The resulting products are sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily use and still accommodate the specific needs of your business., facility or recreational area. Commercial Grade furniture is made to be rearranged and moved as the needs of your business change over time. Even though Commercial Grade is often more expensive than Consumer Grade, it is economically wise to invest your profits into furniture that will last longer than a single season.

Commercial Grade products are built to be simultaneously professional in appearance and sturdy in composition. Placing commercially manufactured furniture at your place of entertainment will create a fresh, modern and comfortable feel that will remain in the memories of visitors long after they have left. Word-of-mouth is the fastest way for good news to travel – can you say referrals?!?! Furniture that is stylish and meets the demands of daily use is invaluable to the sustainability of any given business, whatever that business may be. Not only do Commercial Grade furnishings address safety, comfort and durability, it is often delivered within a short time frame. Better yet, depending on the item…we will install it for you!

In short, whatever you are looking for you can always be sure to find the benefits in purchasing Commercial Grade furniture over Consumer Grade. Still don’t see the difference?!?! Just give us a call…we’ll explain it! The most important thing to keep in mind…strong sturdy Commercial Grade furniture will continue to save you money through the years! With such a wealth of options, being productive, safe and stylish is within the reach of even the smallest recreational area!

ParknPool | Lexington, VA | sales@parknpool.com | 877.777.3700

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Emerging Industry Trends: Parks and Recreation

Parks are essential in establishing and maintaining the quality of life in any community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region. The pandemic brought social isolation and loneliness, upsetting people’s emotions. People are increasingly using parks and green spaces to get rid of loneliness and spring back to emotional and mental health.

“The pandemic has forever altered the parks and recreation industry including several others. There’s no going back to ‘the way things were’. For organizations to thrive in this new normal, it is critical that they embrace change, adopt new technologies and build a culture of innovation organization-wide.”

Prioritizing the Parks and Recreation Budget

Parks were one of the most hit areas with the onset of the pandemic. According to Recreation Management, nearly two-thirds reported a fall in revenues in 2020. With stay-at-home orders in place, the number of people visiting parks and recreation centers drastically decreased. In a recent study by the NRPA, 77% of American adults consider high-quality parks and recreation amenities as important factors when choosing a new place to live. It is becoming more critical for parks and recreation professionals to continue to nurture parks as the hubs of healthy living. Park visits after the lockdowns of 2020 have increased by 63%, providing great spaces to escape and unite with friends and family.

So, what are the emerging trends for 2022? Let’s take a look!

Utilizing Parks and Recreation Spaces

With COVID-19 bringing health into sharp focus, people have become more concerned about their well-being. They are showing a renewed interest in parks, trails and recreation facilities. The NRPA conference in 2021 touched upon the value of bringing people into recreational spaces and also re-imagining public streets as active places for community action. The year 2020 seemed to have resonated the significance of good health more than ever. Parks and green spaces can play a major role in providing an opportunity for all to experience nature. Authorities have been trying to convert every available space in dense urban areas to parks and open spaces. It is expected in 2022 and beyond, parks will be increasingly seen as multi-benefit landscapes that support physical activity, provide shade, prevent heat effects, and support environmental resiliency. Empty mall garages and big-box stores are even being converted to park and recreation uses, such as skate parks and program spaces. Parks may also be developed underground, by converting unused tunnels and underground transportation infrastructures as new park sites.

Building a Sense of Community

Parks act as places for people to connect and work together in a collective environment. They are one of the quickest and most valuable ways to build a sense of community among people. They motivate people from diverse backgrounds to work together to achieve a shared vision. They are profound, open, and welcoming spaces that provide a sense of community. They work as accessible social spaces for healing, nurturing and strengthening communities and need to be preserved. Parks provide spaces for people from different walks of life to come together. Today, parks and recreation leaders are focused on creating a level playing field that makes it easy for everyone to get involved with the community. Municipal agencies and their planning departments routinely engage people from their communities to provide input in the design and planning of parks and open spaces. These measures make people feel better connected to their communities. This growing public participation is productive and rewarding. It helps create and maintain thriving urban open spaces.

Tech in Parks and Recreation

Parks and recreation systems are implementing new technologies such as automatic mowing equipment, self-maintained toilets, robotic cleaning systems, and semi-autonomous drones for various tasks. As cities are turning smarter, so are the parks. People now expect quality Wi-Fi access in parks and welcome access to charging stations and downloadable content such as augmented reality walks, games and exhibits. Technology will continue to impact the parks and recreation business. While it will determine how they interact with the public, it will also help maintain and manage data.

Be it physical, mental, social or emotional, park and recreation as a segment is critical for nurturing a community’s healthy growth. Agencies related to parks and rec should consistently keep innovating to engage their community members and evolve these spaces as inclusive landscapes for all-round development. If you are a park and recreation professional looking for ways to enhance your outdoor spaces, contact us today!

ParknPool | Lexington, VA | sales@parknpool.com | 877.777.3700