Helping hands: Park Forest Preschool expands, enhances playground through community support
Because of terrific community support, the Park Forest Preschool has been able to expand and enhance its playground experience! We would like to take this opportunity to explain the purpose of our expansion and to recognize those who generously supported our playground endeavor.
Since 1967, Park Forest Preschool, a nonprofit, state certified school, has provided early childhood education to income-qualifying families in Centre County. The preschool is able to conduct its programs because of the generosity of both in-kind and financial community support.
During the last year, the Park Forest Preschool staff and board of directors put together a “wish list” for the playground expansion that centered on nature-based exploration. Park Forest Preschool is housed on the property of Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, which already provides a desirable outside play space. The goal was to enhance the outdoor space from fun and relaxing activities to educational and explorational experiences, as well.
Specific goals included: a new, interactive bike path; mud kitchens (an outside structure where children can use kitchen tools to pretend to prepare and cook foods using nature’s resources); a new garden playhouse (outside space that gives children their own, safe space to develop role play skills); and larger, safe play space for 2 year olds.
The playground expansion plan includes the eventual installation of an outdoor musical instrument.
We would like to thank the following people and groups who helped us toward reaching much of our goal:
100+ Women Who Care, who selected Park Forest Preschool for a grant for infrastructure upgrades and playground improvement.
PSU Landscape Architect Professor Peter Aeschbacher, who donated his time, carpentry skills and design knowledge.
Two PSU Landscape Architect students who met with staff to design an overall playground expansion plan.
The Troop 31 Boy Scouts and their parents who gave many volunteer hours of physical labor to complete our enhancement plan.
Park Forest neighbors Anne Whitney and Marc Wellington and their kids for their many hours in building and delivering two mud kitchens.
Sam Walker, Life Scout, who is working toward Eagle of Boy Scout Troop 31; Sam organized a team of scouts and parents and built a garden playhouse.
Board members and family members who helped with the renovations and installations.
For more information about Park Forest Preschool, please visit our website at www.parkforestpreschool.org or contact us at 814-231-8492.
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 6:42 AM.