Click here to view the architect's sketch (plan) of Kid's Kingdom.

Kid's Kingdom is one of several Leathers designed / community built playscapes in the State of Alabama, others are located in Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile. It is a nonprofit, all volunteer project that will construct a unique, extraordinary and free playscape for all children. The dream was inspired by Madison resident Jane Dow. She recruited the core volunteers needed to form the organization that will make the dream a reality. The playscape will be built October 7-12, 1997 with an estimated 2,000 volunteers and over $165,000 in funding.

The innovation behind the project comes from the architectural firm of Leathers & Associates. Based in Ithaca, New York, Robert Leathers specializes in community built playscapes. Over 1,000 projects have been successfully completed across the country and across the world. Their success rate is 95%. Their formula has proven itself again and again. While Leathers has designed a large number of playgrounds, and use some common structures in many of them, each playscape is unique because it reflects the input of the community and the children. Madison's Kid's Kingdom will include several unique structures, including a replica of the historic Roundhouse.

Some of the major components planned for the playground include a Castle Maze, Dragon's Cave, a Pirate Ship, Two-headed Dragon Slide, Clocktower, Concrete Moat, and a Tot's Crayon Castle. All of the components are connected through various mazes, platforms, slides, ramps and climbers. Even the young-at-heart are able to enjoy the playscape and/or retrieve their children.

Here are some other Robert S. Leathers playgrounds:

Schreiber Flagship Park wins state design award - Galveston, TX
East Palestine Park's New Leathers Playground - East Palestine, Ohio
Alamogordo Kids' Kingdom - New Mexico
Carol Stream Playground at Armstrong Park - Carol Stream, IL

More information on Robert S. Leathers designed playgrounds can be obtained at the Leathers website or by contacting:

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Last updated: 09/29/2004 08:04:26 PM