Help us add an "Outlast" block set to the Ashland Farmers Market.
If you have ever visited the farmers market with young children you know that one of their favorite stops is the skatepark next door to the market. The skate park, intended for use by our local skateboard enthusiasts, lures our kids' in with its undulating ramps and slippery, hard surfaces. While it serves as entertainment to our kids, it is a source of anxiety for parents and AFM volunteers. We need to provide another opportunity for children to play at the market.
As parents and volunteers at the Ashland Farmers Market, we saw a need to provide another opportunity for children to play at the market. We wanted something that would be affordable and portable, a little closer to the music and vendors, on soft grass instead of pavement. After researching the options, we found the best play equipment for our needs was an "Outlast" block set, created by Community Play Things. This series of interlocking blocks and planks has many loose parts, designed for open ended, imaginative play. It is made for outdoor use from non-toxic acetylated wood.
The theory of loose parts:
"In any environment, both the degree of inventiveness and creativity, and the possibility of discovery, are directly proportional to the number and kind of variables in it."
-Simon Nicholson, Architect
The "Outlast" blocks provide a range of loose parts for building and dramatic play. They will support the STEAM initiatives in our schools, encouraging child-directed cooperative play, building social skills, and motor coordination.
We need your help:
We need to raise $1,620 to purchase one Toddler Outlast block set and a storage bin. Your pledge will go directly towards this purchase. We thought it was appropriate to ask the community to chip in for this project. In this way, all of us can own a piece, (or block), of the play set. The Ashland Farmers Market's parent organization, Ashland Healthy Harvest, recently acquired 501c3 status. That means your donation will also be tax deductible.
Risks & Challenges
The blocks may create some additional work for our volunteers who clean up the market, so we would ask that parents and children who are at the market near closing help to tidy up the area when they leave.
We don't expect these blocks to completely replace the skate park, many kids may still prefer that option, however, the blocks will provide a fun diversion and a different style of play for those kids who choose to use them.
Other Ways To Help:
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A company match is a great way to boost the impact of your donation. If your employer offers a company match which you would like to use towards this campaign, please email the project team for instructions.