{"id":35516,"date":"2024-05-20T12:01:54","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T16:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=35516"},"modified":"2024-06-03T16:43:59","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T20:43:59","slug":"hagelberg-playgrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/hagelberg-playgrounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Alum\u2019s Business Is (Literally) Just Child\u2019s Play"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Richard Hagelberg \u201969 runs an Indiana-based company that makes swings, slides, monkey bars, and more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Melissa Newcomb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early 1980s, Richard Hagelberg \u201969 looked at a few thin catalogs and saw an opportunity. Then running three childcare centers in northwest Indiana, Hagelberg was in the market for some vital infrastructure. But there wasn\u2019t much available, and prices were high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So he teamed up with a friend to launch a business\u2014one that\u2019s still thriving more than four decades later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Richard<\/figure>
\n

\u201cNever in my wildest imagination,\u201d Hagelberg admits, \u201cdid I think I\u2019d end up making playgrounds.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CALS alum is the cofounder and CEO of Kidstuff Playsystems<\/a>, an Indiana-based company that designs, manufactures, and sells play equipment to parks and schools around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally made from wood\u2014his cofounder is a carpenter\u2014the structures now comprise brightly colored steel and plastic in a variety of styles and features, including wheelchair-accessible designs. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe make traditional equipment that is safe, functional, and affordable,\u201d says Hagelberg, who notes with a laugh that his wife is nudging him toward retirement. \u201cWe want the creativity and play in the hands of the kids.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The systems range in cost from around $15,000 for a small playground to $300,000 for a setup that can accommodate an entire school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The structures are made locally in Indiana, where the business\u2014which is certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association\u2014sells about 350 playgrounds annually and employs some 30 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

We want the creativity and play in the hands of the kids.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Hagelberg\u2019s equipment is enjoyed by kids throughout the U.S. and as far away as the U.K., Japan, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The systems are generally geared toward children ages two through 12, with elements available for various stages of development: tunnels and ladders, climbing walls and spiral slides, monkey bars and tire swings\u2014even kaleidoscopes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the structures have whimsical shapes, like school buses, castles, fire engines, and pirate ships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
\"Toddlers
Some structures are designed for toddlers …<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Children
… while others have more challenging elements for older kids.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Kids
A castle, complete with drawbridge-style ramp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Children
Revolving cubes can teach everything from tic-tac-toe to Native American dialects.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

And for the littlest kiddos, there are interactive educational features like revolving cubes emblazoned with numbers, letters, U.S. states, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur playgrounds provide a chance for kids to try things that are a little scary, in a non-threatening situation,\u201d says Hagelberg. \u201cPart of growing up is learning to take risks.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(All photos provided.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published May 20, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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