Profile: Helen Gordon Center's New Playground Gets Down to Business

The new playground at Portland State's model child development center helps young children with their most important work.

From an adult's point of view, little kids seem to have it made. They've got the perfect job.

"Play can be thought of as a child's most important work," says Ellie Justice, co-director of Portland State's Helen Gordon Child Development Center. "Among the life lessons children learn through play are empathy, social cooperation and independence--play is absolutely vital."

However, Justice adds, many of the children served by the Helen Gordon Center live in apartments or student housing downtown, where play spaces--outdoor or indoor--are unavailable, making playtime at the Center especially crucial. More than just fun and games, play makes a serious contribution to the curriculum.

That's why an expanded, innovative playground is the crowning touch on the Helen Gordon Center's two-year renovation project. In 2003 the Center opened a handsome new wing that nearly doubled its space and increased enrollment to 200 children (95 more than previously) and added infant and kindergarten programs. In 2004 the project concludes with crucial updates to the historic original building--and show-stopping play areas.

The playground's innovative design employs a rainbow of colors, textures and materials selected to encourage discovery, creativity, and the development of physical and social skills. Children can explore a sand zone with ship structure and play houses, a winding tricycle path, climbing structures, slides and monkey bars, a toddler's fairy castle, a daisy spring toy and other equipment appropriate to their age level. A variety of spaces will accommodate serious play in any weather, and include:

Covered play structure in the restored historic brick carriage house with original slate roof
Small amphitheater with seating wall
New paving and soft surfaces under play equipment
Three canopies over outdoor equipment to protect children from rain and sun

Generous gifts of $15,000 each from Karen Shoen (godmother to a Helen Gordon student) and the Oregon Community Foundation gave the project budget a major boost. The Helen Gordon Center's annual fundraising auctions provided another $30,000 and the PSU Student Building Fee Committee directed funds to the effort at the request of the student community. Parents, grandparents and family members have volunteered over 500 hours of labor so far; GBD Architects and LCG Construction donated labor and materials valued at $40,000 as well.

Parents with young children make up an increasing percentage of Portland State University's growing student population. By offering accessible, affordable, high quality childcare the Helen Gordon Center helps make it possible for them to reach their academic goals and achieve economic independence. Through its nationally recognized curriculum and state-of-the-art learning environment, the Center helps students' kids succeed at their jobs, too.

Play on.

=====================================================================

Helen Gordon Center Kids Wish List

Your gift of:

$20 buys one new big picture book for group reading
$50 provides a set of rainbow scarves for dancing
$75 purchases a set of child-sized garden tools
$100 provides ten new books for the Center's library
$150 buys a tumbling mat
$300 purchases a sturdy two-seater bike

Grant a wish! or get more information about the Helen Gordon Child Development Center.