Please use this space to add anything you would like to share regarding the playground.
CHILDREN OF SUNAPEE (RESIDENTS AND VISITORS): Please share your stories of exploration and adventure here. Feel free to use this blog formatted website to add your comments, photos, and stories of what you think about the playground here, what you like, what you dislike, what challenge courses or team courses you have created, etc. The plan is to create an engaging platform upon which you can share your own unique course on the equipment using the variety of physically and creatively demanding equipment. We would love to hear from you! Please check back regularly as we create courses for you to try out, time yourself and your peers, and compete for future recognition on the website. Enjoy!
PARENTS: Feel free to use this space to raise issues or communicate with others in our community. We hope you find this playground to be a great escape to relax and give your children a place to challenge their physical, mental, and emotional limits.
Posted by Scott Blewitt on December 7, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I am very excited that after almost 40 years Tilton park will once again hear the sounds of children playing!
Posted by Hilary Hawkins on January 13, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Thank-you Peirce Family. This is exactly what Sunapee needs!!!!
Posted by Adam Vigneault on April 28, 2010 at 8:57 am
I deeply appreciate Lynn Pierce’s contribution to my hometown. But we already have two big playgrounds here: one at Dewey Beach and one at the Elementary School (both more conveniently accessible for the relatively few children who actually reside here).
This generous donation would be vastly better served in helping to repair our dilapidated and dangerous Elementary School or support underfunded art and music programs rather than install more plastic doodads that eventually end up in a landfill.
Posted by bradpeirce on May 21, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Adam,
Thank you for your honest opinion. I understand your point of view and your preference for capital and programmatic improvements at the Elementary School. Both very important.
When we began this project we wanted to add something to the community that would add value to the Town of Sunapee, improve the lives of children, and memorialize my mother for many years to come. In discussing another playground with the Town, as part of an overall recreation destination and as a key attraction at Tilton Park, we have found both the Town and the residents of Sunapee to be strongly supportive of the project.
While I also understand your concern for too many playgrounds, I am sure you will see that this playground is unique and will provide an entirely different experience for kids (both residents and visitors alike). Kompan equipment is designed to challenge kids – physically, mentally, emotionally, and creatively – in ways that most standard playgrounds don’t. As for the “plastic doodads”, this isn’t a typical playground in that regard either. Please visit Kompan’s website and read about the company’s dedication to the environment and the materials used in their equipment. In fact, just about every single piece of the playground is capable of being recycled and there is very limited use of plastic in the entire structure. No PVCs, paint, or other harmful toxins found in many playgrounds.
After closer inspection you will see that this isn’t the typical plastic, post and platform playground. Please see our virtual representation of the proposed playground and take some time to read about both the playground, the company (Kompan), and our reasons for building this playground and choosing the equipment that we have. You can find all of this information on this website.
Again, I appreciate your comment. I hope to meet you at the playground this summer!
Posted by Karen on September 3, 2010 at 8:39 am
The playground at Dewey and at the elementary school are grossly inadequate and so a decent playground was needed. My concern, however, is that the new playground, in addition to providing a lack of variety in the equipment, has some dangerous aspects. The spinner with the bucket has proven to be a treacherous ride. As children attempt to get off, it will spin faster. One child was so terrified he screamed for help and once removed, could not stand or even sit on his own until his balance returned. The extensive system of bars presents a hazard to children’s heads, and the lack of safety bars on the slide platform present an opportunity for a fall.
While it was a nice thought to add a public playground for Sunapee, it was poorly planned.
Unfortunately, I will have to continue to go to the Newbury Playground as it is a safer, well designed environment, and one that my children prefer.
Posted by Brad Peirce on September 3, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Karen,
Thanks for your comments. All of the equipment has undergone extensive research and development for safety and complies with all industry regulations for safety. Feel free to check out the information in this website about that very topic. Of course, not every playground is for every child. I am glad that you have found one that suits your children’s level of play. Other than your comment, we have heard nothing but joy and excitement from the community about this playground. There are many, many children who use this playground regularly and say they will continue to come back as often as possible. In fact, I even heard on more than one occasion that people have said this is the best thing that has happened to Sunapee in a long time. Feel free to come back as your kids grow, age, choose another level of play and/or want an alternative to Newbury (which IS a great playground by the way!).
Posted by Katie on September 20, 2010 at 10:09 am
So nice not to have to schlep the kids to another town to go to the playground. We use it constantly and am sure we will for many years to come. Thank you to the Peirce family for this great addition to Sunapee!
Posted by Anon. on November 30, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Thank you! My 5 year old LOVES this playground! It is challenging, motivating and interesting for her and she asks to go constantly. We both love how unique the structures are and that they require the use of her brain as well as her body. It’s also nice to have a playground that’s more than a slide and swings and not attached to a school (that she doesn’t attend.) The spinning bucket and rotating wheel are her favorites, a close second is what she calls the spider-web.