Harper’s Playground Still Going Strong During COVID-19

Portland, Or. Harper’s Playground is still open and remains a great place for all kids, including those with physical challenges, to play. But this year, the nonprofit has moved its annual benefit online. From October 1st, through October 8th, the organization will hold a virtual auction and raffle while highlighting recent projects and playgrounds. Click here to check out the offerings.

Harper’s Playground is an organization that helps build all-inclusive playgrounds featuring modifications for kids with physical challenges. The nonprofit usually hosts events like a Community Play Day and Rhythm & Play, but both have been postponed until 2021. Despite recent COVID-19 limitations, the organization’s unique playgrounds remain open due to their wide inclusive spaces that support social distancing practices. These parks give children and families new places to explore during COVID-19, unlike some other more crowed play structures.

Volunteers from Harper’s Playground work with the Portland Timbers during the pandemic.

Volunteers at Harper’s Playground are still able to lend a hand during the pandemic as well. The organization recently worked with the Portland Timbers and held a clean-up at the flagship park, Arbor Lodge which is located in North Portland.

Harper’s Playground began in 2009 with a simple walk in the park. Harper, daughter of founders Cody and April Goldberg, wished to play in the neighborhood park but couldn’t reach the structure when her yellow walker stuck in the wood chips. From then on, Cody and April have dedicated themselves to creating inclusive spaces where all children are free to play. The original Harper’s Playground opened in 2012 and founder Cody Goldberg stated that he would “turn Harper’s Playground into a non-profit that would help other communities build playgrounds like the one we had already built.”

The inclusive playground model.

The organization now helps build playgrounds across the globe, from Anna and Abby’s Yard, a park here in forest grove Oregon, to the Tokyo Sports Playground in Japan. This park is to open in partnership with Nike for the upcoming 2021 Olympics.

From the Harper’s Playground:

Harper’s Playground inspires vital communities by creating inviting playgrounds for people of all abilities. We envision a more inclusive world, one playground at a time.