The Park and Facilities Catalog announces the introduction of its latest bicycle parking rack invention - the space-saving MK1 Bike Dock.

The MK1 Bike Dock has a unique, patent-pending design that helps bicycle planners park a large number of bicycles in locations where space is limited. Those locations typically include universities, colleges, schools, urban areas and office complexes.

"We know the challenges that architects and planners face when they need to provide bicycle parking for hundreds if not thousands of bicycles," said inventor Chris Luyet, Vice President and General Manager of the Park and Facilities Catalog. "So we designed the MK1 with the smallest footprint possible to accommodate a large number of bicycles and to create an atmosphere that encourages more people to RIDE than drive."

The MK1 Bike Dock keeps bikes upright

What makes the Mk1 so unique? For one, size. Unlike larger traditional commercial bike racks such as Wave racks or Grid racks, the Mk1 is only 10.5" wide

The construction forecast for 2018 is positive due to support from such factors as growing GDP and low interest rates.

The construction forecast for 2018 is certainly looking like a positive one, as several upbeat indicators point to a strong economy next year.

Let's start with the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This number reflects on the nation's economic outlook in general. And that outlook is a bright one.

Starting with the Great Recession in 2008, here's a rundown of the annual GDP.

2008: -.3%

2009: -2.8%

2010: 2.5%

2011: 1.6%

2012: 2.2%

2013: 1.7%

2014: 2.6%

2015: 2.9%

2016: 1.5%

2017: this is when the tide turned. In the second quarter of the year, the GDP took off to 3.1%. For the third quarter, the GDP ticked even higher at 3.2%. After a strong holiday season, the number for the fourth quarter should be very promising.

A strong economy certainly creates an atmosphere for a strong outlook for construction overall.

Here's another factor that will foster growth - mortgage rates. That

"Sandi" the world's only 600-ton sand Christmas Tree created by the city of West Palm Beach. This is the time of year to show appreciation for all the effort by municipalities to create festive holiday events for the public

When people think of Christmas and the Holiday Season, they usually think of families gathered in a cozy home around an inviting fireplace.

But what about all the fantastic holiday displays and events that your local parks and recreation departments, city crews and retail centers work so hard to put together every year?

The lights, decorations, parades and fireworks shows! These are big attractions in every community and take quite a bit of hard work by local parks and recreation crews to put together.

Most of these events are truly fantastic and a great excuse to get that family OUT of the house during the holidays.

Park holiday events have 90% participation rates

Here are just a few of them:

1. San Jose, CA, puts on a "Christmas in the Park" event that breaks records.

Ilia Evans, a mechanic with the "Jack the Bike Man" charity in West Palm Beach, Fla., holds two galvanized outdoor bike racks donated by The Park and Facilities Catalog

The Park and Facilities Catalog recently donated three outdoor bike racks to the "Jack the Bike Man" non-profit organization in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The charity was started more than a decade ago by Jack Hairston, a retiree who one day happened to notice a man struggling with a broken bike.

Jack pulled some tools out of his garage and fixed the front brakes on the bike. The grateful man told his friends and afterward some of them brought their bikes to Jack to be repaired. Eventually his backyard started filling up with a steady stream of broken bikes and Jack kept on repairing them.

Word about Jack spread. Not only throughout the local community, but also the local news media. Fast forward to today and Jack the Bike Man now operates out of a gigantic warehouse on Florida Avenue and employs a handful of people who gather,

Vlad Gawlikowski, Health, Sports and Fitness Coordinator with the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County stands with the outdoor bike racks donated by The Park and Facilities Catalog

The Park and Facilities Catalog recently donated two outdoor bike racks to the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County.

This worthy cause is making a difference in the lives of young people. There are 13 Boys & Girls Club facilities in the county and they serve more than 8,000 children ages 6-18.

The first Boys' Club was started in 1860 by three women in Hartford, CT. Since then more than 4,000 clubs have been established across the country serving more than 4 million boys and girls.

One of their most famous alumni, Denzel Washington, is a spokesperson for the organization.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County were founded in 1971.

The idea behind the not-for-profit is to promote education, vocation, health leadership and character in a safe and nurturing environment.

According to their website, "The

Great quotes about the joy of sitting on park benches with a beautiful view

The following is a collection of sayings about park benches and what this simple little seat means to so many people.

1. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spates of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops. - Maya Angelou 2. A bench in the street can be a good writer because all kind of material comes onto it like a heavy rain! ― Mehmet Murat ildan 3. Always find a time to sit on a humid autumn bench to feed the poor birds or to think the dying leaves! ― Mehmet Murat ildan 4. There's something very enticing about an empty bench under a tree. And if it's facing a river, that's the bench for me.― Joyce Rachelle 5. They sat on a park bench, held hands, and told each other their stories hour after hour. They were not lonely anymore.

How to enjoy a winter picnic - at least you know there will be plenty of picnic tables available with great views

This winter, why not plan to go to the park where you will have plenty of space to move about and your choice of picnic tables?

The change of seasons is sweeping across the country, and winter may be settling in - but don't pack up your picnic gear just yet!

A winter picnic is a great way to get outside and enjoy the season.

You'll need to dress a little warmer and plan your menu and activities a little differently, but dining al fresco on picnic tables in a park during the winter can be a fun and exciting activity to brighten up the season.

Why picnic tables in the winter?

You might be wondering why you should embark on a winter picnic when temperatures are falling and daylight is dwindling. There are actually a number of factors that make winter a great time for a picnic, including:

- Plenty of choices: How many times have you visited a park during the summer only to find

Make your aluminum bleachers stand out with powder-coated colors

By Gerald Dlubala

Powder-coated aluminum bleachers turn your stadium or event venue into an eye-catching, color-matched, personalized, home-game event.

By adding a color aspect to standard aluminum bleachers, your venue seating will take on a personalized look and feel because you can choose the color.

What better color to choose than those of the team that calls your field their home. Powder-coated, custom-colored bleachers allow you to show off your creative side by being the artist in erecting a unique aluminum bleacher structure customized for your fans and teams.

What exactly is powder coating

Powder-coating is a process similar to painting. But instead of wet paint spray, you are spraying a finely ground (think baking flour) mixture of paint pigment, polymer resin, leveling agents, and other additives.

That mixture of powdery particles is electrostatically charged, making them attracted to the intended part of the structure

In a study commissioned by the EPA, it was determined that using plastic picnic tables and other plastic lumber is a recommended way to "green" a landscape product

It's an ongoing argument - buy traditional outdoor furniture such as wooden picnic tables for less or pay more for plastic picnic tables and save later on maintenance costs.

Both products have their plusses.

But in several studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, researchers found several compelling reasons to use plastic picnic tables and plastic lumber as a "greener" and smarter alternative to wood.

Plastic picnic tables save resources and create jobs

Here are some of their arguments:

1. Variety - Recycled plastic scrap is now being manufactured into a wide variety of landscaping products and not just for plastic picnic tables or recycled plastic benches. Those other uses include guardrails, posts, bollards, parking stops, speed bumps, signage, barricades, fences, retaining walls, decking, gazebos, boardwalks,

How well does your state rank for investing in bicycle infrastructure? Pictured above are a bike shelter, bike repair station, tiered bike racks and outdoor bike racks

Does your state care about bicyclists? What are your state and city officials doing to make streets safer for bicyclists? What are other states investing to make life better for bicyclists and how does your state compare to them?

Bicycling today is bigger than ever. According to Statista, there were 66.5 million cyclists in the US in 2016. That means 12.4% of Americans ride a bicycle on a regular basis. That's a lot of bicycles on the road. Millions. Bike sales are booming. The Millennial generation even prefers bikes over cars.

So what is your state doing to accommodate this trend?

Fortunately, there is a group monitoring state progress - The League of American Bicyclists.

They issue a report card on what each state is doing for the benefit of bicycle riders.

Changing the bicycling infrastructure in any state starts with

Several cities have come up with creative strategies to persuade the public to litter less and use trash receptacles more

Cities everywhere are often faced with an ongoing battle to eliminate and prevent litter and encourage more people to use trash receptacles on streets, sidewalks, transit stations, parks, and other public areas.

Whether it's accidental in nature or out of carelessness, discarded bottles, wrappers, containers and other trash are a major eyesore and can affect the appearance and cleanliness of a city.

Looking at the seriousness of a growing litter problem has led many cities to take a fresh approach to anti-littering campaigns. These campaigns vary in nature, but they all have eye-catching elements and unique angles to capture public interest and put a stop to trash troubles.

Learning more about the successful littering campaigns used by cities around the world can provide the inspiration needed to help your city develop its own anti-littering campaign and conquer trash

 

For more information on this topic, go here - https://www.theparkcatalog.com/blog/park-benches-nature-health-boost/

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, researchers have also found several additional ways that venturing outside improves your health.

The Color Green - green is the color of nature and researchers at the University of Essex found that cyclists who rode their bikes in front of the color green felt less stress and exertion than those pedaling in front of gray or red backgrounds. Children with ADHD who played outside reported showing better concentration and fewer symptoms of hyperactivity. A study reported in the Journal of Experimental Psychology said that walking spurs the creative parts of the brain to assist with the creation of new ideas and problem-solving. Older people exhibited more benefits when spending time outside. They complained less about aches and pains and slept better. Spending time in a garden can help dementia and stroke patients.

Get out of the

 

Some couples are choosing to get engaged in the aluminum bleachers at a baseball game for a proposal that hits it out of the park

Aluminum bleachers are more than just a spot to watch your favorite sports team take on the competition or to cheer on your little league superstar. These shiny metal seats for crowds of 10 or 10,000 are also a popular spot for couples to get engaged - or even tie the knot.

More than a few lovebirds and baseball fans have gotten engaged while watching a baseball game in one of the league's stadiums. Here are some of the most popular bleacher love stories circulating on the web.

Aluminum bleachers love story: The one (ring) that almost got away

Two major fans of major league baseball were about to get engaged at a Yankees game on a beautiful September evening. Seated in the left field stands, Andrew Fox, a 29-year-old New Yorker, dropped to one knee as the jumbotron zeroed in on the proposal-in-the-making.

Fox's girlfriend, Heather Terwilliger, looked shocked

Chow leaps over a hurdle as part of dog park equipment at a local facility

1. You can always find hope in a dog's eyes 2. Dogs are my favorite people - Richard Anderson 3. Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong - WR Purche 4. Dogs do speak but only to those who know how to listen -Orhan Pamuk 5. Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend never owned a dog 6. There are no bad days when you come home to a dog's love 7. If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. That is the principal difference between a dog and a man - Mark Twain 8. Happiness is a warm puppy - Charles Shultz 9. Be the person your dog thinks you are 10. My dog winks at me sometimes and I always wink back in case its some sort of code 11. You don't own a dog. You have a dog. And the dog has you 12. There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face - Ben Williams 13. A dog is a friend who listens with his heart and replies with his tail

Outdoor picnic tables at the Grand Canyon. Adding outdoor dining is a great strategy for restaurants that want to expand capacity and offer diners a pleasant experience outside

Fresh air and fresh food on outdoor picnic tables are a match made in dining heaven.

Restaurant-goers love the ambiance that outside dining provides, and restaurants love the additional seating capacity. Outdoor seating also makes the most of nature's most beautiful seasons and pleasant days. And after all, most people eat their meals inside. Being able to experience a meal outside in a pleasant atmosphere with blue skies overhead, fresh air and greenery all around is a special treat for most people.

But what are the benefits for outside dining, and how can they benefit your business?

Here are three reasons why people love to dine al fresco, and four ways that outside dining can boost your business.

Get ready to expand the popularity - and profitability - of your restaurant or cafe with outside dining. And all you