Donate to Support our Largest Inclusive Playground Project to Date!
There’s still time to add your name or message inside the park with a personalized brick or paver!
Project Partners
About the Project
Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station (CHAMPS) at Marshall Park Vancouver, WA
Harper’s Playground, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, Washington, will build an accessible playground at Marshall Park.
This project addresses the city’s need for accessible public outdoor play spaces through the redesign and construction of an inclusive playground. We broke ground on Monday, July 11, 2022. Click here to view scenes from the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
The original Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station (CHAMPS) is a vital part of Marshall Park. Harper’s Playground will continue 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 will be 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 will meet the social, emotional and physical needs of people of all ages and abilities. Wheelchair accessible equipment, including the following elements, will foster intergenerational exchange and collaboration among diverse abilities:
- Washington’s first wheelchair swing
- An integration carousel, or merry go round
- An elevated sand area
- The largest “Harper’s Hill” ever built with seating at the top and 360° views
- A bona fide fire engine with original interactive levers and buttons to play with
- A log fort and “Mobius Climber”
- Swings, musical instruments, and winding paths
- Custom bronze art featuring animals such as turtles and beavers
Honoring the History
The redesigned CHAMPS will carry on the legacy of the existing firefighter theme throughout, and will even feature an added custom fire truck. A special tribute area will be created for the preserved Chelsea Anderson Memorial features. Memorial plaques will be integrated into the design, and updated donor brick paving will 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 $3.2 million and is slated to open in spring 2023. Gifts of $5,000 or more will be recognized on a beautiful plaque at the entrance to the park.
If you would like to make a gift of $5,000+, please contact us directly.
Questions? Contact us at (203) 994-6108 or
hello@harpersplayground.org
Gifts of $250+ & $1,000+ are eligible for a brick or paver. Make your online donation below and include a message.
Or, download and complete our Brick & Paver Form and include a check when you mail it back.
Send the hard copy form along with a check or printed receipt of your donation made on our website. Checks can be made payable to Harper’s Playground 1477 NW Everett St Portland, OR 97209
