Penny Playground Groundbreaking Scheduled for Tuesday

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Work will begin Tuesday to replace Chehalis’s 26-year-old Penny Playground with a ceremonial groundbreaking at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Chehalis Foundation announced this week. 

The $1.3 million playground rebuild is part of $4 million of renovation work occurring at Recreation Park, which includes new drainage, a four-field softball and youth baseball complex, walking paths and new LED lighting.

The new playground facilities will include modern, all-weather play structures, including climbing elements, zip lines, swings and a variety of slides. The playground will be ADA accessible. The Chehalis Foundation led the fundraising push for the new playground. 

“The improvements will ensure that this play area will continue to be a first-class facility.  It will continue to serve as a gathering place for families in our community and a welcoming destination for children of all abilities to learn and play” said Chehalis Foundation President Tim Sayler.  “The Chehalis Foundation is so proud to assist in this community-wide effort to complete this project and provide support for the other major improvements at Recreation Park. Our ability to take on and complete projects such as this reflects the generosity and the spirit of this community.”



To date the Foundation has received donations of $1.2 million toward the $1.3 million dollar playground reconstruction.  The Foundation is still accepting contributions, including the purchase of commemorative pennies that will include the donor’s name and will be displayed at the playground site.  People can make donations or purchase commemorative pennies by visiting the Chehalis Foundation website at Chehalisfoundation.org

“These projects are the result of a strong, synergetic partnership with The Chehalis Foundation and the generous benefactors of our community,” said Chehalis City Mayor Dennis Dawes.  “We are proud to provide these qualify-of-life enhancements for the families of Chehalis. With the energy and vigor of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, we are able to leverage city dollars and other resources to make dream projects like this a reality.” 

The Penny Playground will be closed starting Oct. 9 through next spring, when the work is scheduled to be completed.