Preschool Playground Renovation

Pike Place Market Foundation

We are tickled to announce our newest renovation project in Pike Place Market – the playground for Pike Market Preschool kids!

This long-neglected space in the Market really should be the brightest place of all. It’s where Market kids go outside to breath fresh air, get out the wiggles and use their bodies and imagination to develop new skills.

The current playground conditions are severely deteriorated and limited due to a lack of natural light and open space for kids to play. Current conditions prevent two classrooms of crawlers and waddlers from playing, leaving them inside the classroom or limited to Market walks.

We’ve already raised funds 80% of the funds needed pay for construction of the playground and now we need your help funding play structures and equipment. Now, it’s time for everyone to join us in a fun matching game:

The Harris Family Foundation has generously offered a $20,000 challenge grant to our playground renovation project.

Every $1 donated to the playground between now and October 31st will be matched up to $20,000 – that’s DOUBLE your DOLLARS!

History of the site

Back in 1990s this was the site of the former Heritage Center, a self-guided museum, in Pike Place Market that was remodeled to create a play space for the children at Pike Market Child Care & Preschool. Thirty years later, our school has expanded and the playground has deteriorated so much that parts of it have become unsafe and unusable.

It’s time to provide a safe, healthy play space that our children need to play, explore and learn outdoors in the Market. We need a play space that reflects our curriculum approach by inviting discovery, collaboration and a connection to nature.

The Transformation

  • Create a versatile, open, light-filled space that will engage all ages and enhance our child-centered reflective practices
  • This flexible play space will include natural elements such as a green wall of native plants, open turf space with small hills for climbing up and rolling down.
  • A covered space filled with natural light for children to escape the elements
  • Storage for materials that inspire creative play, places for art
  • A new bathroom, sink and filtered drinking fountain
  • Safer entry and 15’ of additional play space, including wheelchair and stroller access

Special for the Market Foundation, Market artist La Ru is offering playground donors a limited number of one of her adorable art prints from Robot vs. Sloth.

After making your donation, you can visit Robot vs. Sloth any day after November 11th to choose and receive your print!
The store is located on the corner of Pine St and 1st Ave from 9am to 7pm. Plus, it’s a great reason to see Lauren’s other amazing art pieces!
Here are the donation levels and which size print you will receive with your donation – only 90 total prints available!
$25 donation = 5 x 7 print (30 available)
$69 donation = 8 x 10 print (30 available)
$155 donation = 11 x 14 print (30 available)
$350+ donation = both art pieces, 11 x 14 prints

Will you DONATE to give Pike Market kids a safe place to play?

Your gift will both transform a playground and the lives of 110 Pike Market kids per year!