A Playground by the Sound

University Place’s Chambers Bay Properties already offers a world class golf course, walking trails with fantastic views, an off-leash dog park and in the future a fun-filled playground for the family youngsters.

Plans are under continuing development to create a community-built playground akin to the one completed five years ago in Lakewood or the one at Chambers Elementary School, also in University Place.

Ten years ago the Chambers Creek Foundation was founded with the intent to further the Chambers Creek Properties to best benefit the community. A part of that has been the creation of a volunteer-based steering committee to plan and build the new Playground by the Sound. The committee meets monthly to work on the project and is currently adding community volunteers to foster the planning and ultimate construction, slated for the fall of 2010.

The playground design and community-build strategy is being implemented by Leathers Associates, a nationally-recognized playground development firm that has been in business since 1971. The company has helped 2,000 playgrounds become realities. In June, 2009, the committee and Leathers organized a design day in which hundreds of University Place children helped determine what elements will go into the future playground.

Mark Kahley, a steering committee member, reported $11,000 of the $60,000 needed has been raised and about 200 of the required 1,000 volunteer builders have signed up.

Planning for the Playground by the Sound continues at full speed ahead and here are some ways to participate:

• Sign on as a volunteer by going to http://www.playgroundbythesound.org and click on the volunteer tab.
• Financially contribute by purchasing a commemorative fence picket for $65 (two or more are $50 each).
• Purchase a piece of playground equipment by yourself, with neighbors or another group. Playground components range from $250 up.

You can learn more about the project at the website.