May/June Beans for Bags Spotlight: JUMP! Jefferson Universal Movement Playground

JUMP! Jefferson Universal Movement Playground was formed in 2016 as a group of parents and physical and occupational therapists to build the first accessible and inclusive playground in our County. We worked with County Parks and Rec and many collaborators in town to help us fundraise and build the playground at HJ Carroll Park. The playground is so much more than just a playground. It is an enclosed Community gathering space with a central seating plaza and play areas and structures that evoke our Salish Sea. This truly has been a Community project with art tiles from local school children and adults with intellectual disabilities led by artist, Rebecca Welti, who also installed the world's first climbing Plankton in our playground.

We had originally designed the playground to be built in 2 phases. However, with extra funding from Covid ARPA funds received from the County, we thought we had raised enough funds to build the entire playground as designed. Unfortunately, when the bid came back we found that as with most projects these days, inflation caught up with us and we needed to go back to a 2 phase project. Phase 1 of the playground along with accessible improvements to paths in HJ Carroll Park was completed and opened to the public on November 19th, 2022.

Phase 2 will include accessible tile surfacing and a play structure for the 2-5-year-olds. Most of the existing playground equipment is rated for 5-12-year-old play. It's important that the younger children, especially those just starting to walk, have an accessible play area that is separate from the bigger kids so they and their parents will feel safe exploring and playing without being trampled by older kids running around. Phase 2 will also include a shade structure over the Sea Snail plaza, a new Art Gate fabricated by Gunter Reimnitz, and more accessible paths in the park.

Your donation with a bean will help us raise more funds as we apply for grants that often require a show of matching funds and community support. Thanks so much for considering us with your beans. Follow our progress on Instagram and Facebook with direct links from our website at www.JumpPlayground.org.

You may also consider joining us for our MAY ALL PLAY, phase 2 fundraiser May 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm to complete the playground as designed! Music, Food, Raffle Prizes and Guest Speaker, Landscape Architect and JUMP! designer, Ida Ottesen of Nakano and Associates.