Where will it be?

The playground will be located between the parking lot and the forest on the East side of the school.

The approximate area and location is show below in green:

What will it look like?

While the design is still in development, our goal is to create a play space that offers a wide range of opportunities for different types of play. To achieve this, we’re combining carefully chosen manufactured play equipment with natural, park-like areas to ensure we deliver exceptional value for every dollar raised.

The equipment will provide exciting, physically challenging activities like spinning, swinging, climbing, and scaling heights. Though this type of equipment is a significant investment, it’s extremely durable and safely delivers those high-energy experiences kid’s love. If we are able to fund raise successfully, we plan to include:

• A boulder climbing area

• A large rope climbing structure

• A zip line

• Swings (of various types)

• A slide tower

• Two play houses

• An accessible spinner

• A large cone spinner

• Monkey bars

• A music area

• A sandbox

• A refurbished GaGa pit

Complementing the equipment, the natural spaces will feature elements like winding paths, play houses, musical elements, stepping stones, and seating areas. These areas expand the play space affordably while fostering exploration, open-ended play, and sensory-rich experiences. They also create an inclusive environment that welcomes a wide range of ages, abilities, and play styles, ensuring the playground is a place where every child can find their own way to play and connect.

Click here to learn more about the design goals for the project, or check out our gallery of equipment and features.

I’ve heard about a Student Playground Committee. What are they working on?

An incredible group of 8 student leaders were elected in the Spring of 2024. As current 4th graders, this group will see the playground project come to a completion in their final, 5th grade year!

These young leaders were charged with researching and selecting the musical equipment for the new playground. They’ve also begun to identify ways that the Thoreau students can be invested in supporting a new playground. The group will focus on in-school fundraising opportunities, student-led community engagement, blog posts, and other ways to build enthusiasm across the school community for Thoreau’s Backyard.

How much money do we need to raise?

The total budget for the playground project is $610,000. One hundred percent of the funding will come from philanthropy. We are looking to every member of our community to make a one-time, tax-deductible philanthropic contribution to make this project happen.

We’re fundraising over a six month period from October 2024 through April 2025. For construction to begin in the summer of 2025, we will need to have a final budget in April so that we can order equipment and hire vendors for installation.

I’d like to support this project! How much should I give?

To reach our goal, we gifts of all sizes, from $10 to $100,000! We hope everyone who supports this project will consider the gift size that is meaningful for their family.

There are several recognition opportunities for gifts of $500+, and we invite you to look at the "Naming Opportunities" page to learn more (or feel free to email team@thoreausbackyard.com).

If you are able to make a leadership gift of $5,000 or more, we need you! This is a one-time campaign and your gift will live for decades in Thoreau's Backyard.