Thanks to the Jefferson County Library Foundation (JCLF), Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is preparing to break ground on a new Outdoor Adventure Space at the Standley Lake Library. The groundbreaking is planned for 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 22, outside the Library at 8485 Kipling St., in Arvada. All Jeffco residents are welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be served.
“Thanks to some very generous donors, we’re able to help the Library provide an outdoor learning environment at the Standley Lake Library,” said Jo Schantz, executive director, JCLF.
“In 2016, Allison Brigham contacted us on behalf of her father, Arvada resident Warren Roeske, who was seeking a way to honor his deceased wife, Shirley M. Roeske, an ardent Library advocate.
“JCPL suggested the Outdoor Adventure Space, and over the past two years, Warren and his daughter have donated $15,000 to seed the effort,” Schantz added. “A second anonymous donor contributed $35,000, giving us the funds we need to begin construction on this ambitious project.”
The Discover Together: Outdoor Adventure Space, designed by Learning Landscapes, will provide tools and opportunities for children to engage in unstructured play in an outdoor environment. In addition, it extends the Library’s commitment to help children be ready to read when they enter kindergarten and continue to support their learning as they grow.
“We’re excited to offer this outdoor experience for our patrons,” said Barbara Yeutter Roig, kids and families’ manager, JCPL. “We know that unstructured play helps children develop skills in gross and fine motor skills, creativity and socialization. Offering these activities in the out-of- doors also encourages exercise and contributes to emotional and physical health.”
The Outdoor Adventure Space, located outside the children’s area on the east side of the Library, will include two separate play areas, with physical features including sensory and habitat gardens, benches and fairy stumps, as well as tools to spark imaginative play and learning, including a willow dome, playthings, and an insect hotel. A majority of the construction will be completed this fall, with additional elements added next spring. A formal grand opening will be held early summer, 2019.
“We’re deeply grateful to the donors who helped us make this dream a reality,” said Pam Nissler, executive director, JCPL. “We believe our patrons will be as excited as we are to discover library services and programming in a natural environment.”
