About Next Generation Recreation

Next Generation Recreation

Next Generation Recreation is a successful, expanding, family-owned business located in Kansas City who believes that holistic play for all ages and abilities has a positive effect on physical and mental health, emotional well-being, learning, and social connectivity. We represent Playworld Commercial Playground Equipment in addition to many other high-quality lines of outdoor equipment and amenities. If it is outdoors and doesn’t grow – we probably do it.

We inspire, design, install and maintain parks, playgrounds, site furnishings and amenities, indoor and outdoor sports equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, safety surfacing, shades and shelters, dog parks and much more. Our Recreation Design Specialists are experts in selection, specification, quoting and importantly, safety and inclusion.

We won’t come to you with all of the right answers initially; we will come to you with all of the right questions and listen carefully in order to meet your needs.

Our professional, factory-certified, field-trained installation and maintenance crews are true specialists in their trade and take a great deal of pride in each project they complete, no matter the size. Next Gen Rec is passionate about play and is the right answer for you. We stand behind our service - even after the ribbon cutting.

Bios

Angela:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

All my favorite childhood playground memories have been replaced with ones of watching and chasing my children around when they were still young.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

In 2018 I left California to visit my son in Kansas City, and never left. This has been my home ever since.

What is your favorite pastime?

I spend my free time playing with my 1-year-old yorkie, Akunna, her energy is endless and always puts a smile on my face.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I am a newbie. I have only been in the industry a couple of months, and I am just starting to learn the ins and outs. I do believe that my administrative knowledge and experience make me an asset to the team.

Lana:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

I walked after work for a lot of years at Macken Park in North Kansas City. I loved walking around and around that mile long path.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

I have a master’s degree in counseling but decided shortly after finishing my degree that I am better for people in genuine, encouraging relationships rather than at $100 an hour.

What is your favorite pastime?

Reading.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I have 10 years’ experience in customer service and accounting with a previous playground agency. Before I returned to this industry, I was writing business books. Both careers are about managing a lot of small details and putting processes together, and this has helped Next Gen provide our customers and our teammates with less stressful experiences in the potentially frustrating process of bringing the recreation vision to reality.

Megan:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

There was a park a few blocks from my house when I was younger, and all the kids in the neighborhood would meet there. It became our go to spot for all of us kids and I can remember all the belly laughs that were shared. After I started this career, I learned that the park was all Playworld equipment, and it became kind of full circle for me.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

I spent the first 8 years of my life in Reynosa, Mexico. My parents were missionaries, and we did a lot of traveling throughout Mexico.

What is your favorite pass time? Before becoming a mother, I spent as much time as I could on my motorcycle. Now I love spending my free time with my son and teaching him new things!

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I have about 2 years of experience in this industry. I come from a childcare/child education background, and I believe that having that experience brings a different insight into what we do.

Chuck:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

I have so many great memories on the playground. I spend every weekend taking Armani & Ariyah, my twins, to different playgrounds. I love creating memories that will last a lifetime with them.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

I love to cook! Specifically, I love taking regular dishes and re-creating them with tasty yet healthier alternatives.

What is your favorite pastime?

Traveling. My wife and I both love it and have set a goal to visit as many beaches as possible while we are able to.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

2 years in this Industry. I came from the auto repair industry prior to this with an emphasis on customer service and consulting. This has helped me to easily transition into this industry as I love people and the satisfaction of helping them get what they want.

Brian:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

Many years ago, when I was still practicing Architecture, one of my long-standing clients was the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. We worked together on the design of the Fred and Shirley Prior Challenger Ballpark in KC. This became one of the most rewarding projects of my 30+ year career of designing recreational places. One of the keystones of the project was an inclusive playground designed to bring children of all ages and abilities together for play. It was a volunteer build, which had me scared at first. But the leader of the installation and supervisor of construction was Kevin Marshall, Jr. who I called the field general. He managed to guide a very large group of people with varying levels of experience (most had none) in the installation of the perfect playground in 9 hours. He amazed us all. The Playworld playground, despite an astounding amount of use, still looks almost new. Kevin, the leader of construction at another company at the time, is now the President of Next Generation Recreation.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

 Lisa and I are Grandparents of three beautiful, amazing and original young humans of whom we are very proud. I have also been a rescuer of dogs at various levels, many in perilous situations. I stay away from the dangerous situations these days and stick to adopting little ones that nobody else will take in. There have been many over the years and each one of them has been a most amazing addition to our family.

What is your favorite pastime?

This is tough to narrow down so I won’t try: Family time, writing, hiking in the woods, drawing and designing, antique furniture restoration, and cooking for my family and friends.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

My years in the industry are difficult to define. I am a Registered Architect (no longer practicing). Before I retired from Architecture, I enjoyed designing recreational projects for over 30 years – community centers, parks and parks master plans, YMCA’s, etc. This experience involved all phases of projects from the dream phase through construction. I lead and/or participated in many meetings with individuals, businesses, neighborhoods, county and city officials, homes associations and shareholders.

Aaron:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

Watching my son be the first child on playgrounds that I have built or that our company has been involved in is easily one of the best feelings.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself? I have my sky diving license. I have completed 35 jumps by myself.

What is your favorite pass time?

I am an adrenaline junkie and enjoy skydiving, riding motorcycle’s, traveling when I can. My son is going on 4 and already has a love for riding and driving, so I enjoy getting to share that passion already.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I have only been in the recreation industry for a couple of years, but I come from a long background in highway construction.

Terry:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

My boys and I love to find new playgrounds around Kansas City.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

I used to UFC/cage fight, being in the gym was my escape from everything else. 

What is your favorite pastime?

The past couple of years, I have spent a lot of my time coaching my son’s baseball team. It is something we both enjoy and keeps us active!

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I have been with Next Gen for a little over a year and have loved the career switch from construction. I am still applying the knowledge I have in construction, but the finished product is something that my kids are much more excited about.

Alex:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

My current favorite memory is riding the Duck spring toy at one of our recent projects. I love the fun that this job brings.

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

I was born on Leap year, February 29^th of 1996. Even though I will be turning 28, it is only going to be my 8^th birth-DAY.

What is your favorite pastime?

If the weather permits, I spend as much time as I can on my motorcycle.

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?

I have been with Next Gen for around 2 years. Being involved in creating a destination playground like Tomahawk Park from what started as an empty field is very rewarding.

Aron:

What is your favorite memory on the playground?

A fun/ interesting fact about yourself?

What is your favorite pastime?

How many years of experience do you have in the industry?