Nestled in the forest of Deane’s Children’s Park is a one-of-a-kind play area that allows kids to create their own adventure. At Mercer Island’s Adventure Playground, children are provided toolboxes, various building supplies, safety items and the freedom to create build-it-yourself play zones with the guidance of staff.
Adventure Playground, which covers about 2 acres, is a place for kid-driven, hands-on play. The playground has been open for about a month, and is already filled with a village of forts and tree houses.
“It’s cool because it gets kids out in the dirt, playing,” said recreation supervisor C.J. Stanford. “That doesn’t happen as often as it used to.”
The long-running program is the only one in the state, Stanford said, and it’s expanding. The city offered three Adventure Playground camps this summer, up from one last year. Eighty to 140 kids come every day the playground is open, which is from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from June 27 to Sept. 27, though it’s only open on Sundays in September. It grows and evolves all summer, and is disassembled by staff when the playground closes in fall.
These sorts of playgrounds are “historically very safe,” Stanford said. Sponsor JayMarc Homes donates hard hats, and staff members comb the park with magnets to pick up stray nails. Participants are required to wear closed toed, hard soled shoes.
Parent involvement is encouraged, and kids must be 12 years of age or older to be left unsupervised. They learn basic craftsmanship and team building skills while constructing their dream forts. It’s a great opportunity to be creative and lets imaginations run wild. Past forts have included climbing ropes and slides.
The popularity of the playground means that it is often in need of supplies and lumber. JayMarc also provides building material throughout the summer, but more supplies are always needed. It’s been the busiest summer to date with lumber runs and donations, Stanford said.
“It’s a good problem to have, but we can’t keep up,” Stanford said. “We’re always accepting clean lumber, tools and burlap sacks.”
This year, the city is also working with an organization called YouthBuild, which helps low-income young people learn construction skills to help build affordable housing and other community assets such as community centers and schools. YouthBuild will have participants helping out at the park throughout the summer, to kids learn more about construction and assist in building their dream forts.
The program is free (though a donation is welcome). From July 16-23 and Aug. 13-20, all donations will go toward YouthBuild. The Adventure Playground is also open for parties and rentals.
Photos can be shared with the hashtag #AdvPlaygroundMI. For more information, see www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=2768.
