City gets $54K grant for play areas

New interactive spaces to go around library

The grounds around Madison Heights Public Library are about to undergo a transformation with new interactive play spaces.

Madison Heights was one of 19 communities in southeast Michigan and western New York to get a share of $1 million in grant money from the national KABOOM nonprofit, and the Built to Play Initiative, supported by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

KABOOM funds play spaces with grants for cities that submit designs for play areas.

Madison Heights will get $54,000 to fund new features outside the library, said City Manager Melissa Marsh.

“It’s going to promote play to everyone and the tens of thou

sands of people we have visiting the library,” she said.

A storybook path will connect the various elements of the new features that are expected to be completely installed within less than a year. Along the path will be two music areas with a large series of chimes in one and a bigger-than-life piano-like keyboard.

Three play areas are included along with artwork, a “rolling hills” feature, and swing and seating areas.

An artful slogan on one side of the library will declare the facility the place “Where Stories Come to Life.”

A couple of rain gardens are envisioned as part of the final project

“There is also a big area outside the library, but what that will be called is going to be part of a community engagement effort,” Marsh said.

The city plans two public meetings — in March and April — to find out what residents want as before conceptual designs get to the construction phase.

A tranquility center in the design is suggested to be a place for puppet shows and other presentations.

The Madison Heights Arts Board and the Environmental Citizens Committee are working with the city on the project.

Madison Heights got its grant in competition with other communities in KABOOM’s Play Everywhere Design Challenge.

“Play Everywhere projects are all about meeting kids and families where they are by infusing play into every corner of the community,” said Lysa Ratliff, KABOOM’s acting CEO, in a statement. “Spaces where kids can run, jump, interact and explore are essential for kids’ health and wellbeing.”