Learning Center
Free continuing education units (CEUs) for landscape architects, parks & recreation professionals, school administrators, and facility planners across Kansas and Missouri. Powered by Landscape Structures.
EARN CEUs. DESIGN BETTER SPACES.
ATHCO offers free virtual CEU courses in partnership with Landscape Structures — covering inclusive design, playground safety, fitness-focused play, shade, color psychology, and more.
Whether you're a landscape architect seeking ASLA credits, a parks administrator planning your next project, or a school principal exploring playground options, our courses are designed to give you actionable knowledge — and to connect you with the best equipment and expertise available in Kansas and Missouri.
Meet the Instructors
Our CEUs are led by some of the most respected voices in inclusive playground design — occupational therapists, designers, and advocates who bring both professional expertise and lived experience to every session.
Jill Moore
Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures
Born with spina bifida and a full-time wheelchair user, Jill has represented Team USA in wheelchair racing, swimming, and basketball — including the Parapan American Games and World Games. She works with Landscape Structures to bring user voice into product development and deliver accredited CEU courses nationwide, with a focus on inclusive play, multigenerational design, and universal design principles.
"When we build for inclusion, we're saying who we value. When I see an inclusive playground, I feel welcome there."
Dr. Ariel Mansholt
OTD, OTR/L, CPSI — Inclusive Play Specialist
A pediatric and adolescent occupational therapist whose career is rooted in advocacy and inclusion, inspired by growing up alongside her Autistic brother. Now a Doctor of Occupational Therapy at Landscape Structures, Ariel applies her clinical expertise — supporting children from early childhood through young adulthood — to inclusive playground design, professional education, and industry presentations championing meaningful, accessible play for all.
Scott Roschi
Creative Director of Design, Landscape Structures
With more than 30 years of creative and technical design expertise, Scott leads Landscape Structures' design and marketing teams. His background spans custom exhibits, children's museums, and playground installations — giving him a unique ability to create spaces that are visually stunning and deeply personal. Scott believes every playground should inspire the imagination of children.
2026 Virtual CEU Calendar
Register by emailing athco@athcollc.com. Space is limited — reserve your spot early.
Inclusive Playground Design
A comprehensive virtual CEU exploring best practices in inclusive playground design — from universal access principles and sensory integration to surfacing choices and equipment selection. Approved for ASLA/LA CES credit.
Design Excellence in Play
What separates a good playground from a great one? This advanced CEU explores the design principles, material choices, spatial organization, and community engagement strategies that define award-winning play spaces. Includes case studies from top-rated installations.
The Development of Play
An evidence-based look at how children develop through play at each stage of childhood — and how playground design can support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Draws on research from child development, occupational therapy, and environmental psychology.
The Power of Color
Color is one of the most powerful — and underestimated — tools in playground design. This CEU covers color psychology, its effects on child behavior and mood, sensory sensitivities, and how to use color strategically to enhance play value and create welcoming environments.
Foundational CEU Courses
Perfect for anyone new to playground design or looking to strengthen their foundational knowledge of inclusive play, safety standards, and design trends.
A Higher Level of Inclusive Play
Level 100Explore what it truly means to design playgrounds that go beyond minimum ADA compliance — creating spaces where children of all abilities genuinely play together. Covers universal design principles, sensory integration, and community impact.
Everybody Plays: A Guide to Multigenerational Design
Level 100Learn how thoughtful design can create outdoor environments that engage toddlers through grandparents. Covers age-appropriate challenge levels, cross-generational interaction zones, and equipment selection for multigenerational communities.
Inclusive Playspace Design: A Planning Guide
Level 100A practical, step-by-step walkthrough of the planning process for inclusive playgrounds — from site assessment and stakeholder engagement to surfacing selection, equipment layout, and budget considerations.
Maintaining Safe Play Environments
Level 100Covers CPSC guidelines, ASTM standards, and inspection protocols to keep playgrounds safe and compliant. Ideal for parks & rec staff, school administrators, and facility managers. Includes documentation best practices.
Trends in Play Space Design
Level 100A look at the evolving landscape of outdoor play — from nature-inspired design and loose parts to adventure play, community co-design, and the growing role of social-emotional learning in playground planning.
Play It Cool: Have Fun in the Sun with Shade
Level 100Shade structures do more than block the sun — they extend the usable season of your playground, protect equipment, and improve comfort for children and caregivers alike. Covers shade design, placement, and product options.
The Miracle League: Every Child Deserves to Play Baseball
Level 100An inspiring look at the Miracle League movement and how communities are building accessible baseball fields and playgrounds that give every child — regardless of ability — the joy of playing America's favorite pastime.
Designing Fitness-Focused Playgrounds
Level 100Explore the intersection of play and physical fitness. Learn how to incorporate fitness elements — climbing, balance, strength challenges — into playground design in ways that motivate children through play rather than exercise.
Advanced CEU Courses
For experienced designers and planners ready to go deeper — evidence-based approaches, advanced inclusive design, color psychology, and the cutting edge of play space innovation.
All Ages, All Abilities, All the Time
Level 200An advanced exploration of how to design for the full spectrum of human ability and age — combining inclusive playground theory with practical case studies of projects that achieved true universal access without compromise.
Design Excellence in Play
Level 200What separates a great playground from a good one? This course dives deep into the design principles, material choices, theming, and spatial organization that define award-winning, community-transforming play spaces.
Evidence-Based Landscape and Playground Design
Level 200Grounded in research from occupational therapy, child development, and environmental psychology, this course connects playground design decisions to measurable outcomes in child health, social development, and community well-being.
Innovation is Invitation: What's Next in Inclusive Play
Level 200A forward-looking course on emerging trends and technologies in inclusive play — from new materials and manufacturing techniques to data-driven design and equipment that adapts to individual needs in real time.
Inclusive Playground Design: A Case Study Approach
Level 200Examine real-world inclusive playground projects from concept through ribbon cutting. Learn what worked, what didn't, and how communities navigated funding, community input, accessibility standards, and contractor selection.
The Power of Color: Impacts on Mood, Feelings and Behaviors on the Playground
Level 200Color is one of the most powerful — and underestimated — tools in playground design. This course covers color psychology, its effects on child behavior and mood, sensory sensitivities, and how to use color strategically to enhance play value.
Designing with Sensory Needs in Mind
Level 200A deep dive into how sensory processing differences affect the playground experience — and how thoughtful design can create environments where children with sensory sensitivities feel safe, engaged, and welcomed alongside their peers.
Landscape Structures PLAY Tour
Come see what we're about — in person. ATHCO invites you to experience Landscape Structures' world-class manufacturing facility and culture firsthand.
Empowered Employees. Exceptional Quality.
Landscape Structures' lean manufacturing practices and continuous improvement techniques — combined with a creative, empowered workforce — drive significant operational improvements, reduce waste, increase efficiencies, and ensure product quality.
Located 30 miles west of Minneapolis in Delano, MN, this is more than a factory tour. It's a chance to meet the team behind the equipment, understand how and why it's built the way it is, and come away with genuine confidence in what you're specifying for your community.
2.5–4.0
CEU Credits
HSW
Health, Safety & Welfare
Free
No Cost to Attend
What You'll Learn
How an employee-owned company operating lean manufacturing practices impacts the quality of a manufactured product.
Various manufacturing processes and mistake-proof techniques that ensure repeatable quality — and why that matters for your project.
The advantages of different coating methods and finishing systems for different material types.
How changes in manufacturing can reduce materials, water, and energy usage — resulting in more environmentally responsible products.
Equipment performance in real-world conditions through site tours of installed playgrounds in the field.
"Upon entering your facility, I could immediately feel IT. I have never been able to define IT, but it is that aura that excites you, wants you to learn more, and wants you to be a part of it. And you definitely have it at Landscape Structures."
"I thought it was amazing how dedicated the employees were... The excitement and the expression on their face just showed how much they believe in what they do. And you could just see that talking to them. The thought process that went through making each part really shows the quality of Landscape Structures equipment."
Ready to Schedule Your Play Tour?
ATHCO can help coordinate your team's visit to Landscape Structures in Delano, MN. Reach out and we'll handle the details.
Email Us About Play ToursINTERESTED IN A CEU FOR YOUR TEAM?
We can schedule a private virtual CEU session for your parks department, school district, landscape architecture firm, or planning team — at no cost. Just reach out.
athco@athcollc.comLET'S BUILD
SOMETHING GREAT
Ready to upgrade your facility or start a new project? Our team is here to help you from design to installation and beyond.
Call Us
(800) 255-1102Email Us
athco@athcollc.comService Area
Kansas (Statewide) & Missouri
Response Time
We respond within 24 hours
Since 1952 — Athco has been the trusted partner for schools, parks, and recreation departments across Kansas and Missouri.