The Boulder Junction town board on Dec. 28, 2021, unanimously approved a plan to add, expand and replace aging playground equipment.

In December 2020, the Boulder Junction Park Board conducted a survey indicating the community agreed it was time for an updated playground.

As a result of this survey, a dedicated playground committee was created that began researching equipment company options.

After extensive deliberation, the park board voted to work with the professionals at Gerber Leisure based in Blue Mound.

The project’s fundraising committee has a planned completion of fall 2022. The new community playground area in the Boulder Junction sports and recreation area will consist of four sections: a two to five-year-old area, a five to 12-year-old area including an inclusive area with equipment accessible to all, plus a 14-year-old to adult section. These four areas will be constructed in three phases.

“As you can imagine, this is going to encompass a much larger area than the current playground,” said Amanda Chartrand, a young mother and member of the playground committee. “There will be pathways connecting all the areas, additional seating with cover, and fencing along the bike trail, to ensure the safety of the children from the bike path.”

“A well-designed inclusive playground provides opportunities for everyone to practice a range of skills and encourages active, independent and meaningful play for all. Both a physical and social event, inclusive play is not solely about accessibility, but what experiences happen once an individual gets there,” said Dennis Duke, playground project manager, quoting an article from Gerber Leisure.

The total cost of this project is estimated not to exceed $275,000. 100% of the funding for this new playground will come from private and public donations, grants and corporate donations. The town has dedicated $50,000 to this project, as well as the support of the town crew in the construction phase of the project along with resident volunteers. The installation will be done as a “community build” in conjunction with personnel from Gerber Leisure and our community volunteers.

“The project’s success will be based upon a strong volunteer effort on the part of the town and those businesses, visitors and friends who wish to see the investment of an inclusive playground as an important economic and needed component to the town of Boulder Junction, the northern towns in Wisconsin, and to Vilas County,” said Boulder Junction town chairman Dennis Reuss.

Many volunteers are needed on the six playground teams, and those are: fundraising, community communication and public relations; finance and budget; equipment order and site preparation; playground installation and coordination and playground beautification and maintenance.

To view images and for information regarding volunteering or donating to the project, visit the Boulder Junction Playground Project website www.boulderatplay.com and visit the project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/boulderatplay. Fundraising is currently underway. The Boulder Junction Community Foundation* (BJCF) is a 501(c) (3) and will be the fiduciary for this project on behalf of the town.

Those wishing to support this fun project to enhance the playground experience for our youth may make a donation on their website: https://boulderjunctioncf.org. Press the “Donate” button and select the “Playground Project Fund” or mail a check to “Boulder Junction Community Foundation, P.O .Box 675, Boulder Junction, WI 54512,” and note the donation is intended for the “Playground Project” on the memo line. The Boulder Junction Community Foundation Inc. is a 501(c) (3) federal tax exempt public charity. Donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. “The mission of the Boulder Junction Community Foundation Inc. is to preserve and enhance Boulder Junction for present and future generations.”

If a business, community organization, church or individual is interested in a pledging commitment towards this community playground project or to find other ways to help, please contact Laura Bertch, chairperson, for a confidential discussion at 715-892-1204 or via email at l.bertch@townofboulderjunction.org.