The Story

Once upon a time, a busy and active bunch of parents and their young children got together to play, like all parents and children do. They played at the river beach. They played by the lake. They played in the woods. They played in their driveways and yards. They played at the Elementary School Gym. They played in their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. But they didn't play at a local public playground because they didn't have one!

The parents and their kids traveled near and far, admiring and enjoying the playgrounds in other towns and wondered, "Why don't we have a playground in our town too?" And so started the meetings. They met and they met. And they raised money. And they talked with the local and regional government. And they learned a lot. And they worked hard and volunteered many hours. And they hoped that one day in the not too far future, while their kids were still young enough to swing on the swings and slide on the slides, that in their little town of Talkeetna, Alaska, they too would have a community playground.

All of their efforts to design, create, and build a community playground in Talkeetna paid off. Their children now play in a fun playground right next to the library complete with traditional swings and slides, climbing equipment and sandbox, as well as a pirate bridge over the creek, grassy hills and woodsy paths, a rock labrynth, a log playhouse, and lots and lots of art. Parents of Talkeetna kids thank everyone for their encouragement, interest, participation and donations. Our kids thank you, too! Come visit!

Not....the end...just the beginning...

More About Wild Woods Park

The Talkeetna Community Playground Project is a volunteer effort imagined by children and built by the community for Talkeetna and it’s visitors to enjoy for years to come. We are a non-profit organization operating as a committee of the Talkeetna Community Council.

WHERE & WHEN: Talkeetna’s new public playground is called Wild Woods Park. Designed for children 2-12 years old, it was built on Matanuska-Susitna Borough property adjacent to the library. The major portion of the playground was built June 4-8, 2008.

WHO & WHAT: We worked with Leathers & Associates as well as Leon Smith of Planet Earth Playscapes who were chosen to help design a safe, long-lasting, unique playground that reflects the input of local children and Talkeetna’s culture and history. Every effort was used to choose environmentally friendly, low-maintenance building materials. Art by children and local artists is included. The Playground is a community built project: built by volunteers!

HOW: This playground has been funded through fundraising events, grants and tax-deductible donations from businesses and individuals. In order to build and maintain a quality playground, over $160,000 has been raised.