2 minute read
New playground opens at Elevate Branson
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer
Elevate Branson celebrated the grand opening of their new All-Natural Playground with a ribbon cutting on Friday, October 13. The playground is located directly behind the Elevate Branson main building at 310 Gretna Rd. Chamber of Commerce members, friends and supporters, and community leaders including State Rep. Brian Seitz were on hand to share in the festivities.
In his dedicatory remarks, founder and CEO Bryan Stallings cited research indicating that time spent in nature helps heal trauma and anxiety. The new play area will help improve quality of life for over 400 area kids whose home is a room in an extended-stay motel, with an asphalt parking lot instead of a lawn to play on, and whose family life is often stressful under such conditions.
Stallings thanked the individual and business sponsors whose generosity has helped enable the opening stages, as well as Zanescapes for their design and landscaping services. The park presently includes sand to dig in, boulders to climb, slides, swings and play equipment incorporated into the trees and natural slopes and rocks, as well as a walking trail.
Opportunities are available to get involved in finishing Phase 1 and making Phase 2 a reality soon; individuals and businesses are invited to donate to a matching opportunity or commit to a sponsorship to extend the play facilities and the walking trail. Sponsorships include providing climbing nets and ropes; additional swings; balance beams; climbing boulders and logs; expanded sensory areas and treasure dig area, and more. Phase II will incorporate additional landscaping, a zip line and tunnel slide, and a treehouse fort.
The playground is currently accessible through the Elevate facility during its open hours; an additional sponsorship opportunity is available for a biometric fingerprint gate to allow expanded community access while still maintaining security. For more information about sponsorships and donations, Elevate Branson hours, and Elevate Kids, visit www.elevatebranson.org and check out the “Take Action” tab.
