Identity Press Release

Mission Playground: Exploring their identity

~Mission Playground expands inward and outward in 2006~

San Diego, California (January 27, 2007): The past year was an evolutionary process of growth and excitement for Mission Playground, a San Diego based conscious lifestyle clothing company whose globally mindful and progressive designs promote environmental awareness. While experiencing healthy expansion as well as the challenges of being a young company, Mission Playground continues to choose the road less traveled.

“You have to be willing to take risks,” said Mark McMahon, founder of Mission Playground. “You have to be passionate, committed and willing to be different.” In 2003, the company began out of McMahon’s garage in San Diego as a graphics-driven line of t-shirts carrying positive messages to inspire thought. Since then, he and his business partner, Patrick Shami, have built a team of conscious individuals who inspire environmental awareness and preservation. “We’re hiring talent instead of experience, optimism instead of cynicism,” said Shami.

The company takes pride in supporting fair labor suppliers and will continue to explore sustainable design techniques, production methods and fabrications as time and resources evolve. The challenges of being a sustainable company in the outdoor industry are immense, but this does not obscure the idealistic visions of McMahon and Shami. “Some might say we are naive,” said Shami. “We want to be an example of a company that tries hard to do the right thing and is successful too. So far it seems to be working.”

This approach has allowed the Mission Playground team to build relationships within the outdoor community, the LOHAS market, and Organic trade groups. Mission Playground continues to be a part of the positive change in collaboration with others of similar intentions. “We know that we cannot do it alone,” said McMahon.

“We are very optimistic about this season. As a progressive brand, we are starting to understand ourselves more clearly – a company that simultaneously represents creativity, fashion and environmental awareness in the outdoor industry,” said McMahon. “It’s really not about the clothes. It’s about a message… and we hope that by building a solid foundation and setting clear intentions, consciousness will expand organically.”

Clothing and accessories can be purchased online or at various outdoor and organic lifestyle retailers across the USA, Canada and Japan.

Winter OR Press Release

A Cohesive Clothing Collection Consciously Made with Eco-friendly Fabrics

San Diego, CA (January 20, 2007) Mission Playground, a conscious lifestyle clothing company whose globally mindful and progressive designs promote environmental awareness, will unveil their most extensive and complete collection to date. The Fall/Winter 2007 catalog will debut at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah from January 27-30, 2007.

The conscious clothing and accessory line for men, women and children integrates diversity and creativity with progressive thought. Made of 100% organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo charcoal, organic wool, merino wool, lyocell, organic denim and recycled polar fleece, the goal of Mission Playground is to make the least possible impact on our natural resources. This will be the first collection in the company’s history in which every single piece is made of a eco-friendly fabric.

From peached organic flannel to corduroy jackets and exclusive mountain camouflage organic rip-stop cargo pants, the new line has a piece for everyone. Active outdoor women will enjoy a collection of great style and attention to detail with pieces such as the “Lauren Plaid” organic cotton fleece with zip-off sleeves and the “Mel” cargo skirt. Men can maintain comfort, function and style with the “Pollock” bamboo charcoal sweater and the “Pointer” organic sherpa fleece hoody. Merino wool and recycled polar fleece beanies such as the “Frida” and “Heather,” as well as organic canvas, corduroy and hemp hats elevate the accessory line from previous seasons.  

“This season is our most cohesive line ever,” said Mark McMahon, president and co-owner of Mission Playground. “We are using new and unusual eco-friendly fabrics and we will continue to seek other sustainable options as they become available.”

Items from the Fall/Winter 2007 catalog will be available August 1, 2007

Diet & Nutrition

Mission Playground has been included in the lifestyle section of the January edition of Diet & Nutrition.

Across the Atlas in Wavelength Magazine



Mission Playground and REI host nationwide tour of Across the Atlas Team

In August of 2006, the team traversed the refuge's remote and rugged terrain by trekking, climbing and paddling inflatable canoes down the Kongakut River to the Arctic Sea, all for the sake of a tremendous cause. The primary goal of this journey was to promote efforts to protect wildlife and preserve the ecosystem of this environmentally precarious land, while simultaneously benefiting the Colorado Cancer Foundation (CCF).

In an effort to collaboratively raise awareness for the environment, Mission Playground and REI have joined together with Across the Atlas to create a nationwide presentation tour in 2007. Over fifteen REI locations will be hosting a personal ATA appearance in various regions across America.

The kickoff event will take place on January 11, 2007 with the premier video presentation of "The Alaskan Adventure." Maintaining both an environmental and a charitable focus, each event will be followed by an opportunity drawing to raise money for CCF and to give away various prizes from ATA sponsors.

"Since our intention at Mission Playground is also to build awareness of environmental sustainability and preservation, this felt like a natural fit," said Mark McMahon, president of Mission Playground, a conscious lifestyle clothing company. We have great respect for the ATA team and are honored to work with them on promoting this project. For more information on the tour, please visit acrosstheatlas.com.

Across the Atlas tour dates:

Southern California:
Thursday, January 11: San Diego, CA
Friday, January 12: Santa Monica, CA

Intermountain:
Tuesday, January 30: Salt Lake City, UT

Northeastern:
Monday, February 19: Pittsburg, PA
Wednesday, February 21: Bailey's Crossroads, DC
Thursday, February 22: Fairfax or Rockville, DC
Friday, February 23: Reading, MA
Saturday, February 24: Framingham, MA

Northern California:
Tuesday, March 27: Berkeley, CA
Wednesday, March 28: San Francisco, CA
Thursday, March 29: Saratoga, CA

Colorado:
Tuesday, April 10: Fort Collins, CO
Wednesday, April 11: Colorado Springs, CO
Wednesday, April 17: Denver, CO

Midwest:
Wednesday, April 25: Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Thursday, April 26: Madison, WI

Pacific Northwest:
Tuesday, May 15: Tualatin, OR
Wednesday, May 16: Seattle, WA
Thursday, May 17: Redmond, WA