Description
Just minutes from the county courthouse and historic district of downtown Doylestown, tucked away in the scenic hills of Central Park in the Township of Doylestown, rises a majestic and fantastic playground known as Kids Castle. Inspired by the castles of Henry Chapman Mercer, this nationally recognized and award-winning playground has attracted children locally and nationally since it was constructed in 1997.
However, having been constructed primarily with special pressure-treated wood and the best materials available at the time, a safety inspection performed in 2012 determind that the Castle and the surrounding play structures were reaching the end of there lifespan. The wear and tear had caused significant decay and damage and despite regular and through maintenance by the Doylestown Township staff, the structures needed immediate attention.
On May 7, 2012, an annual safety audit was conducted to assess the areas in need of attention and repair. A plan of action was formulated. The Friends of Kids Castle committee reconvened and decided to take immediate action and address the aging facility needs.
As part of the Phase I plan, the playground was closed for renovation in March 2013, volunteers in large numbers joined in to aid, money was raised and then Kids Castle reopen after all repairs were completed with a grand event on September 29, 2013 to the delight of more than two-thousand community members.
But there is still much work to be done. While the Castle is technically open and Phase I has been completed, the playground around the Castle had to be demolished due to the age and condition of play structures that were made of pressure-treated wood. As a result, new play equipment is needed.
It is our goal to create an inclusive, fully accessible playground so the kids of all ages and ability can have a Kingdom where all children can play together and have fun!
The plan is to add new play structures to the areas surrounding the Castle to create play environments that are usable by more kids, to the greatest extent possible. In addition to good old-fashioned fun and fostering new friendships, these play areas will also address the developmental needs of the whole child by intentionally providing opportunities for physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory development.
We have organized the area surrounding the Castle into four individual kingdoms, one of which contains equipment primarily for children under age 5. Another contains one of our largest play pieces with ramps from one end to the other that twist and turn while elevating over four feet off the ground! It also includes multiple play areas along the way that are accessible to children of all ages, including those in a mobility device.
