About the Project
Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station (CHAMPS) at Marshall Park Vancouver, WA
Designed, Funded and Construction Oversight by Harper’s Playground.
Concept Design by Todd Girvin of Harper’s Playground
NOW OPEN!
We broke ground on Monday, July 11, 2022 and opened the park on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
The original Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station (CHAMPS) was a vital part of Marshall Park. Harper’s Playground continues to honor the memory of Chelsea Anderson and the heartfelt generosity of the donors and members of the Vancouver Fire Department who made this memorial possible.
Harper’s Playground is grateful for the support and engagement of the Anderson family during the planning process for the new vision of Marshall Park playground.
“My family & I are super excited to carry on not only the memory of my sister, but also the memory & tradition of all the Vancouver Firefighters who originally built a playground for my parents in memory of Chelsea. Thanks to Harper’s Playground, now children of all abilities will be able to play together on this inclusive playground.” —Cory Anderson; Chelsea's Brother & Member of Vancouver Firefighters Local 452
A Park for All
This site was selected for its central location, accessibility by public transit, and proximity to other community assets including Legacy Health’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center, Luepke Senior Center, and the Marshall Community Center. This project directly advances our mission to create a more inclusive world, one playground at a time, where people of all abilities can play together and thrive.
The newly designed CHAMPS @ Marshall Park is physically, socially, and emotionally inviting for users of all ages and abilities. The former playground was inaccessible and dominated by wood chips and plastic stair-laden structures near the end of their 25-year life span. These unnavigable features exclude thousands of children and their caregivers who experience mobility limiting disability from the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor play.
A Radically Inclusive Vision
Explorable and accessible play areas meet the social, emotional and physical needs of people of all ages and abilities. Wheelchair accessible equipment, including the following elements, foster intergenerational exchange and collaboration among diverse abilities:
- Washington’s first wheelchair swing
- A community spinner that can hold two wheelchairs + LOTS of friends
- An elevated sand area named “Lennon Land”
- The largest “Harper’s Hill” ever built with seating at the top and 360° views
- A bona fide fire truck with original interactive levers and buttons to play with
- A log play area and twisty ribbon climber
- Swings, musical instruments, and winding paths
- Custom bronze art featuring animals such as turtles and beavers by Pete Helzer
Honoring the History
The redesigned CHAMPS carries on the legacy of the previous firefighter theme throughout, and even features a custom fire truck. A special tribute area was created for the preserved Chelsea Anderson Memorial features. Memorial plaques are integrated into the design, and updated donor brick pavings recognize those who contributed to the memorial.
Park Press
Harper’s Playground fundraiser extended for project at Marshall Park in Vancouver (The Columbian)
Inclusive playground project at Vancouver’s Marshall Park progresses (The Columbian)
$450K sought to finish inclusive playground in Vancouver (The Columbian)
- A playground for all: Redesign of Marshall Park to include accessible features that welcome kids, adults of every ability (The Columbian)
Help Build Marshall Park & Leave Your Mark!
The total project cost is $3.9 million and is slated to open in summer 2023. Gifts of $5,000 or more will be recognized on a beautiful plaque at the entrance to the park.
Make a gift of any size and help us reach our goal!
Gifts of $250+ & $1,000 are eligible for a brick or paver. Download the Brick & Paver Form with payment and mail it to Harper’s Playground PO Box 2335 Portland, OR 97208
NEXT ESTIMATED INSTALLATION: WINTER 2023.
Questions? Contact us at (203) 994-6108 or lindsey@harpersplayground.org
If you would like to make a gift of $5,000+, please contact us directly.
Questions? Contact us at (203) 994-6108 or
lindsey@harpersplayground.org
