News : Play Vinton Project Update: Tilford Kids Speak on Playground Ideas!

By Brad Barker The Vinton Parks & Recreation Department recently invited Tilford Elementary students to provide thoughts on what their dream playground would include. We figure kids know play best since they, course, are the primary consumers! They participated in a brainstorming session with their classmates and teachers and were instructed that no idea was too big or too small. Thinking creatively and outside the box was the objective and, wow, did they deliver! After their thoughts were collected on posterboards in class, students were able to show their families at November Parent-Teacher Conferences all of the big ideas. As VPRD continues forward with the Play Vinton Project and its associated fundraising campaign, we wanted to have local students have a voice in the process. Our first step was to gather all of their ideas. Our next step will be to compile those ideas into 4-to-6 different standalone play pieces that not only is within budget but actually incorporates the ideas they voiced in this initial brainstorming session. In early February, Tilford students will have the opportunity to watch a brief video that shows these play pieces in action and will then follow-up with a vote on their favorites. The one or two most-voted on play pieces across the school will then be installed at the new Riverside Towers Playground at Riverside Park in 2018! This opportunity shows the students democracy in action and allows them to have a voice in their new local playground! The sizable Riverside Towers Playground will replace the Riverside Castle and will usher in a new era of play for local youth. We anticipate the playground to become a destination for both residents and visitors alike as it will purposely feature some play components not common to other playgrounds in the area. The featured hub will be a 20-25 foot tall, multi-level, super-duper tower along with a network of bridges, slides and tunnels that connect to additional play features. There will be a number of both ground-level and elevated features along with several types of swings and standalone play pieces. The playground will also be designed in a way that allows further development in the upcoming years as additional funds become available. The surrounding area at Riverside Park will include a Natural Playscape that aims to reengage youth with nature through imaginative play. The success of Play Vinton Project hinges on the generosity of the community and we would love to gain your assistance to help construct new playground, splash pad and natural playscape opportunities in Vinton. Funded almost exclusively through privately-raised dollars, these projects are possible only if proper funding is secured. Please consider a tax-deductible gift today to help us achieve our $380,000 goal to complete all three projects. We are currently sitting at a total of $227,000 with some of those funds earmarked to particular projects. Please call us at 319-472-4164 or visit our website at PLAYVINTON.COM to find out more information on these three projects and how you can help bring these play dreams to life! Final Notes: The ideas collected from Tilford students was very interesting to read! The most requested play components include swings (with wide variety), challenging monkey bars, super tall slides, climbing walls, a zipline, spider web netting, merry-go-round, trampolines and a tire swing. Some of the more creative suggestions included a pogo stick course, a slime pool, Ferris wheels, rollercoasters, petting zoo, aquarium, candy cane forest and a giant hamster wheel.