Second Chance Playgrounds

HOW KIDS AROUND THE WORLD GIVES NEW LIFE TO PLAY EQUIPMENT ACROSS THE GLOBE

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Children across the world can enjoy playgrounds, thanks to Kids Around the World, an Illinois-based non-profit that provides play structures to developing countries. Playgrounds that are about to be destroyed can be updated and shipped to areas where children have never had a playground. “These playgrounds are so much more than a playground to these children,” says Paul Bierhaus, Twin Cities Board member for Kids Around the World. “These playgrounds change communities and offer children a safe place to play. They also provide a central and safe community gathering place for families.” Launched in 1994, Kids Around the World initially focused on donating new playground equipment. The organization later decided to recycle playground equipment, rather than sending new equipment. Since 2011, Kids Around the World has shipped hundreds of used playgrounds to 64 difference countries. The number will continue to climb as more communities learn of this great option for their playground equipment.

In 2010, the first playground in Minnesota to be torn-down and shipped by Kids Around the World was Shilo Park in Plymouth. The second playground was at Colby Lake in Woodbury. Both of these playground structures were sent on a truck

to Rockford, Illinois to be inventoried and safety inspected before being shipped to Poland for children to enjoy. “It was really revolutionary to the two cities in Poland,” says Bierhaus. “The people came together and took ownership of it.” The City of St. Louis Park repurposed the playground structures at Oak Hill Park and Aquilla Park. “St. Louis Park is a proud supporter of the Kids Around the World” program,” says Jason West, recreation superintendent for the City of St. Louis Park. “This program gives youth around the world the experience of play. It is so rewarding to see our play structures resurrected in locations such as Uganda, Jamaica, Cuba, Jordan, North Korea and Costa Rica. The St. Louis Park residents are always thrilled when we tell them which country their play structures are repurposed. We feel that it’s just the right thing to do and are very fortunate to be involved in a life changing program such as Kids Around the World.” In the past, the City of Eden Prairie worked with Kids Around the World to donate their playground at Round Lake. “That playground was shipped to Liberia, where children could enjoy the playground a second time around,” says Bierhaus. “It was the first playground the kids there had ever had.”

Before Kids Around the World was an option for used playgrounds, many cities would recycle their structures as much as they could. But then the remaining part would be sent to the landfill. Most cities have liability and donation issues so Kids Around the World can work with them to provide donation agreements and certificates of insurance, according to Bierhaus. After the playgrounds are shipped to another country, Bierhaus typically flies there and works with volunteers who give their time and money to be a part of this experience. Kids Around the World does not do all this work alone. “We work with rotary clubs, church groups, and law enforcement contacts,” says Bierhaus. “We then join forces to make it all happen!” If your community is interested in recycling a playground structure, contact Paul Bierhaus at pobierhaus@aol.com or 612-239-8765.

BEFORE KIDS AROUND THE WORLD WAS AN OPTION FOR USED PLAYGROUNDS, MANY CITIES WOULD RECYCLE THEIR STRUCTURES AS MUCH AS THEY COULD. BUT THEN THE REMAINING PART WOULD BE SENT TO THE LANDFILL. Produce events? Join us!

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