Potawatomi Village Tot Lot at St. Marys Community Built Playground. To be built May 2010.
This week, we learned that a client received a community-grant to help with the costs of building their community-built playground this spring. We couldn’t be more thrilled for them! It takes a dedicated, hard-working playground committee to convey their playground vision and successfully be awarded. We also know that foundations are looking for a more nuanced approach than simply sticking playground equipment in the ground. A playground grant needs to compliment the foundation’s areas of interest.
What makes a community-built playground appealing to funders?
- History. A custom-designed playground celebrates each unique community, by integrating history and culture.
- Volunteerism. Community-built playgrounds bring hundreds of people together, creating a sense of connection to neighbors and the project.
- Accessibility. Sensory rich structures and accessibility encourage use from children and families with a broad range of physical and developmental abilities.
- Recycling. Sustainable, repurposed materials and recycled building products are used to build the playground – reducing a playground’s environmental footprint
- Intergenerational Design. Assuring that people of all ages will enjoy the playground
- Building Community Spirit. Volunteers of varying genders, ages and economic backgrounds come together in a uniting, collaborative event.
- Activity. This week, First Lady Michelle Obama announced her program to battle childhood obesity, “Let’s Move”. A well designed playground offers safe circulation around play events and encourages large muscle play, coordination, balance, and active movement from structure to structure.
We work with our clients to identify grants for potential assistance with their playground projects. Contact us for more information. With all the advantages above, it’s no surprise that funders look favorably at the community-built playground approach.
