A second generation of Landscape Structures’ equipment installed at McLean Park

The lifespan of most play structures is measured in years—not decades. McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach, however, is a testament to the quality and longevity of Landscape Structures’ (LSI) product line.

The City of North Myrtle Beach just recently replaced the park’s 23-year-old LSI playsystem. Jim Grainger, the acting director of Parks & Recreation, said the original playground had reached the point of replacement and needed a safer, new surface in lieu of sand.

“It made sense to redo everything,” explains Grainger. “We said, ‘Let’s do this right.’”

Doing it right meant selecting Landscape Structures, as well as General Recreation (Gen Rec) for the job. The City had worked previously with Gen Rec on a successful surfacing project a few years ago. They wanted General Recreation’s regional sales consultant, Gerald Hitch, on the list of presenters as they considered new designs for the McLean Park playground.

“Gerald’s scale models and product videos really impressed us. We liked the ‘exercise in disguise’ concept; our kids would be able to use all muscle groups for exercise,” says Grainger, who already knew how much kids would like the park.

LSI’s EVOS™ line had made quite an impression on his own family at Disney World’s Epcot Center. “Our son was so excited about that park, we couldn’t get him away from it,” he laughs.

Challenges with the McLean Park project included drainage issues and securing enough funding to pay for the park itself. The former issue was solved by Dantzler’s Lawn & Landscaping, while the latter was made possible through a U.S. Communities contract.

“Chad Dantzler and his crew did a first-class job,” says Grainger, “And, without the U.S. Communities contract, we wouldn’t have been able to build such a wonderful playground.”

The new playground’s colors and design mesh well with the wooded and expansive 10-acre park that also has a lake, picnic areas, walking trail, sports fields, tennis courts, roller hockey rink, and meditation garden.

“We’ve really made a splash with something unique and different. School buses are always parked there at lunchtime, and kids are swarming around the play area,” Grainger adds. “We’re looking forward to another fun-filled 20 years.”

If you like what you see here, contact Gerald Hitch, General Recreation’s Regional Sales Consultant, at 866-304-1062 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .