A completely new type of amusement park: this is exactly what has been designed and patented by Pozza. This long-established company, based in Valdagno, in the province of Vicenza, has become something of a specialist in the design of different and innovative playgrounds.

In creating the new park, the company has focused significant attention on the finer details, with careful choice of materials and very original ideas for layout and landscaping. In addition, careful thought has been given to environmental concerns, safety, and financial cost. This new playground has in fact been designed with an automatic lighting system, which produces clean energy in an eco-sustainable way. This idea originated in the fact that many playgrounds are sited in open areas in towns: ideal locations for producing the natural energy for use in such places. In fact, a problem often associated with these play areas is that of vandalism, which generally occurs at night, and can make the games and equipment completely unusable.

The patent taken out by Pozza basically consists of applying an automatic solar-powered lighting system to areas designated as children’s play parks. It is often the problems and high costs involved in connecting a traditional lighting system to the mains electricity that determine the unfortunate fact that many playgrounds remain dark at night. In this instance, on the other hand, a photovoltaic panel is carefully positioned and built into the roof of the play tower. The energy it absorbs is transformed into electrical power which is subsequently stored in an accumulator ready to light up the lamps and LED lights sited in protected positions around the park. With the Pozza design, the system can either be programmed to switch itself on automatically (thanks to a sensor which measures the light level), or can be operated manually by means of a safety switch. Any surplus energy not used directly for lighting can be employed for other functions, such as illuminated electronic games, security and alarm systems, or surveillance cameras.

In addition to its novel ideas, the actual history of the Pozza Company is also a fascinating one. The firm originated in the mid-nineteenth century when Ermenegildo Pozza founded “Pozza’s Sawmill and Carpentry Workshop” in the town of Recoaro Terme. He harnessed the flow of a fast-flowing stream descending from the Little Dolomites to provide the power for running his machinery. The business was subsequently managed by the son of the founder, Giuseppe, and then by the grandson, Dario, who started to conceive, design and build play equipment for parks. From the 1960s onwards, this activity of creating playground installations became a growing part of the business: the design for the first spring-mounted rocking horse dates from that period. The company continued to grow over the years until the arrival of the 1980s and an expansion in its area of business. With the arrival in the firm of first Franco, now Technical Director, and then Dario, Sales Director, Pozza launched a new line of wood-based play equipment, and opened a new design and production base in San Quirico di Valdagno dedicated to this activity. The 1980s also saw the production of the first complete stage sets, constructed with some impressive and very special components. Nowadays, Pozza works in collaboration with some of Italy’s most important theme-parks, such as Gardaland, for whom the company acts as official supplier.