Tom Norquist, PlayCore

In this first season of Swing Forward, co-hosts James Siegal and Jen DeMelo of KABOOM! speak with leading playground manufacturers in the US and around the world about the playground industry and advancing playspace equity. In this episode, we talk with Tom Norquist of PlayCore about how, in his words, playgrounds are the great equalizer that build empathy and compassion.
BIO:
Tom Norquist is Senior Vice President of Innovation & Business Development at PlayCore and has been involved in all aspects of the play industry for decades, including as a founding board member in 1995, past president, past treasurer, current secretary and president elect of the International Play Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (IPEMA) and long-term active American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) representative. Tom is one of few recipients of the coveted Joe L. Frost Play Research Collection National Play Advocate Award in April 2008. Additionally, Tom has led Dr. Stuart Brown’s National Institute for Play (NIFP) Board and is the project co-leader of the first known on-line database of scientific and academic research creating a cohesive picture about the proven scientific benefits of play. Tom received Auburn University’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design Distinguished Service Award for his teaching leadership. Tom is a passionate play advocate and enjoys the many fun opportunities he has created at his “Boneyard” to play outdoors with family and friends of all ages.
PlayCore:
PlayCore is a purpose driven company committed to building healthy communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored environments that match the unique needs of each community served.
LINKS:
www.playcore.com

About Swing Forward
Swing Forward is a podcast series from KABOOM! on the future of playgrounds and playspace equity, co-hosted by James Siegal and Jen DeMelo.

About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to create or transform 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the critical benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.