CCAgenda_94Jan26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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01/21/94 12:39 $612 296 3698 STATE PLANNING Rim INDOOR PLAYGROUND Unlike children of school age, recreational and social opportunities for pre schoolers, and just as importantly, their parents, are scarce in Falcon Heights. An indoor playground (a large room with toys, games, and simple play equipment) provides a place for parents to bring infants, toddlers, and pre schoolers to play together and get to know one another. In addition to tweeting the needs of the children, it reduces parental isolation and connects them to their neighbors and they become resources to one another. The City also benefits from an increased sense of community gained from the participants of the playground and those who support it. The idea for an indoor playground in Falcon Heights was inspired by projects in Amherst, New York and Binghamton, New York, both northern cities that experience winter weather conditions similar to Minnesota. In each case, however, the indoor play grounds remain open year around because of their popularity. BINGRANTOM, NEW TORE. The indoor playground in Binghamton grew out of mother's frustration with "cabin fever." After contacting the mayor's office and being referred to the parks and recreation director, Liz Rosenberg succeeded in starting the "Play House." It is a big carpeted room, divided into active and quiet areas with some toys, books, furniture usable by both children and adults. It operates four hours a day, five mornings a week and is open to children five year and younger. It is located in a spare room in a school building. The city provided $3,500 in discretionary funds for equipment and $6,300 in salaries to keep the project running smoothly. Because of the need for approval by the school board and other issues, implementation of the playground took a little over a year. "We decided to organize the room into separate play areas. We placed the baby area soft toys, a huggable activity rug in front of park benches, where parents could relax between playing and swooping. Adjacent to the baby area is the quiet area, with tables and chairs, where grown -ups and children share art supplies, books, toys and puzzles. A play kitchen stands nearby. We set up the active area in the back corner of the room, roped off with safety nets. it's equipped with huge rubber balls, play mats, and foam- rubber animals. Close by is a slightly lass frenetic climbing- and sliding area a few climbing pyramids and blocks, some padded mats, a four seater rocking rowboat that doubles as a footbridge when turned over, and a sturdy wood slide safe for toddlers but acceptable for older children too.