Quality of Play For All

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

Our non profit organization, Quality Play for All, was established in 2016 by a small group of volunteers who wanted to update and improve the quality and safety of the 5th Street Playground Park in Junction City ,Kansas. Our first focus was to build a new park experience for the children and families of Junction City and Fort Riley community compliant with The American Dissabilities Act. The original park equipment dated back to 1985 was outdated and unsafe.

We approached the city with our ideas and plans and applied for the CDBG, small Cities Development Community Block Grant, from the state of Kansas to help us fund our dreams. To complete this grant we had to complete a random survey of 585 randomly selected homes to establish a need assesment in our community. Committee members and volunteers went door to door to compile this survey inforamtion. In Jamuary of 2018, we were awarded this grant and started construction soon therafter. We also reached out to the community to help us with rising matching additional funding and volunteers that helped with the installation. We became members of the Greater Geary Foundation and participate in the yearly Match Day.

Our primary playground area covered over 5,000 square feet of lush green turf and colorful and engaging and creative play equipment which includes two huge climbing towers with slides, a 360 degree spinner, 2 saucer swings, toddler swings, and a 66' 2 bay zip line which is ADA compliant as well as the music component which has xylophones, drums and chimes.

We reached out to the community to see what else they envisioned in their park and wanted to do something for older children and families and soon installed a 80' X 50' Basketball court, 4 goal posts, bleacher seating, bike racks and trail connectivity for biking.

With other donations and funds we have raised we continued to add a toddler area for little ones in 2022, and a sail shaded sitting picnic area and a ADA compliant steel bridge so all can access the Zip line. This summer we were able to complete our latest mission, the Sand Volleyball Court just west of the new 2-4 year old children's play area and it is getting good use by families and youth.

The City Commission supported our vision for continued upgrades to 5th Street Park and and will be helping us with the installation of two water fountains and water bottle filling stations, and a set of new benches for the new shelter being installed next to the basketball court. We rely totally on grants and charitable gifts on Match Day and donated funds from community members and organizations so we can continue to enhance 5th Street Playground Park.

We are happy to announce and like to thank Eric Brown and Kris Koening from Hutton Builds for partnering with us to install the new shelter that we purchased in part with donations from Match Day 2023. Assembly and construction will begin on November 1, 2024 showcasing strong collaboration between industry professionals, KState students and JCHS CTE.

Mission

We endeavor to shape the lives of the children of Junction City, Fort Riley and the surrounding communities by designing the perfect play experience which includes not only children of all ages but also the entire family.

We feel the equipment and play areas incorporate the main elements of play: sliding, spinning, balancing, climbing, hanging, music, swinging, gliding, biking, and engaging competitive play. We also offer picnic space, gathering areas and walking paths that are ADA compliant.

We believe that "Good things start on the playground and last a lifetime".

Help us shape the lives of our children and families in Junction City, Fort Riley and the outlying communities. Your generosity will make a huge difference in the lives of our children for years to come.

Profile

With your donations on Match Day 2024 on October 15, 2024:

We plan on installing 2 ADA compliant water fountains with water bottle filing stations
Installing the gathering shelter complete with two 8' picnic tables and electrical outlets
Purchasing additional benches and pic nic tables

Your donation is tax deductible.

Quality Play for All is an affiliate of the Greater Geary Community Foundation; 501(c),FIN 48-1215574.