After two years of planning, fundraising, and building, the Kendall Park Playground is ready to welcome children to play again. The playground has been transformed from a slide, a few swing sets, and a merry-go-round into an oasis of fun and imagination that allows children of all abilities to play side-by-side. The Baileys Harbor Community Association and The Playground Group joined forces in 2021 to begin fundraising for the $500,000 needed to replace the current equipment with features more inclusive of all ages and abilities. Volunteers first unloaded some of the equipment in April before installing it and adding other touches earlier this fall. The park was built near the town hall in 1992 in honor of Kendall Weisgerber, who had passed away tragically the year before. Her sister, Kari Bauman, says seeing kids playing on all of the new equipment will be an emotional moment for her and her family.
The soft opening will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday behind the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. The park will have a grand opening under warmer skies in the spring. Bauman says the Baileys Harbor Community Association and The Playground Group continue to accept donations for the project toward the park’s ongoing maintenance.
Picture courtesy of Baileys Harbor Community Association