Land O’ Lakes Community Playground purchases final playground equipment

Land O’ Lakes Community Playground, Inc. (LOLCP) has met its fundraising goal and purchased the final pieces of equipment for the playground.

Located in front of the Land O’ Lakes Town Hall building at 4331 Highway B, the playground currently features swings, spinners, and a structure for children up to age 5. The newest structure will provide play elements for children ages 5-12. Weather permitting, it will be installed in mid-to-late October.

“The equipment has been ordered, and now we need to hope the weather holds out so we can get it installed this fall,” says Rhonda Sprague, co-chair of the Playground Committee. “If the weather does not allow for fall installation, the playscape will be set in place in spring, 2025.

Regardless of when it happens, it will be great to get all the equipment in place so we can focus upon the final elements.”

One of the features of the new playscape is a wheelchair-accessible element that allows children in wheelchairs to “rock” with other children. 

“The musical playground already is wheelchair and walker friendly,” says Sprague. “It’s always been our goal to make the playground as accessible as possible. We plan to work with the town on placement of new sidewalks and ramps, as well.”

The committee will also oversee the installation of a gazebo on the playground grounds. It will provide shade near the toddler lot and a space for activities.

A generous grant from the Walter Alexander Foundation pushed fundraising across the finish line. The Foundation, based in Wausau, invests money for charitable, scientific, religious, literary and educational purposes, and supported similar play spaces in the North Woods prior to awarding a grant to LOLCP.

“We couldn’t have completed the project without the generosity of the Walter Alexander Foundation,” states Linda Coyle, co-chair of the Playground Committee. “We are beyond grateful to be a recipient of one of their amazing grants.”

The Playground Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Town of Land O’ Lakes, the committee’s current and prior members, and everyone who contributed money to the project. 

Current committee members are Linda Coyle, Kathy Hirvela, Lynn Jolin and Rhonda Sprague. Prior members include Joanne Schellgell, Erin Doss, Julie Anixter and Laurie Genslinger. 

More than 200 individual donors have contributed since fundraising began in 2021. A dedication is being planned for the spring of 2025.

Land O’ Lakes Community Playground, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) federal tax-exempt charity. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.