Safe Playground Surface Serves Young Children on Lander’s North Side

In Lander, residents living on the north side of town have very limited playground options for young children, and the only play space between City Park and North Park has an unsafe surface. The small 28-foot-by-31-foot space serves two preschool classes and a daycare with age-appropriate structures for children under five, but the current bark surface doesn’t hold up well. During rain or snow, the area stays wet for days, causing bark to deteriorate and forcing closures. Railroad ties acting as dividers between sections regularly trip children, creating injury risks. The play space is open to the public with an unlocked gate, but many passersby ask instructors if they’re allowed to use it, indicating a need for welcoming signage. When a preschool teacher started looking into costs to create a safe surface for her students, she reached out to LOR after hearing about the foundation’s work on other Lander playgrounds. Replacing bark and ties with turf will create a safer surface that dries faster without creating mud. LOR’s funding will help cover turf installation and signage indicating the playground is open to children five and under, creating a safe, accessible outdoor space for families living between the parks.