This architect’s rendering of the “treehouse,” or central play structure, shows the all-natural materials used in equipment for free, unstructured outdoor play in the FM Rotary Foundation’s Natural Park. Construction is planned for 2022.

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

The five Rotary clubs of Moorhead and Fargo have their work cut out for them – putting the “play” back in “playground.”

The clubs’ charitable foundation is launching a project designed to bring back the freedom and fun of unbounded outdoor recreation – the kind of free-time activity that today’s parents and grandparents remember from their own childhoods. Today children’s time is closely scheduled among organized, coached activities. When they’re not in school, they’re often staring at a digital screen. The hours of free play their elders remember from childhood have been largely replaced by regimented activities and video games.

“We want our playground to give kids a really unique experience,” says Heather Ranck, who chairs the committee laying plans for the playground. “The more we learn about it, the more excited we get.”

Plans for the Rotary Natural Park have been in the works for almost two years. The new park is expected to nestle against the walking and biking trails along the Red River in Moorhead’s Riverfront Park. The public fund-raising campaign is just beginning; construction is projected for 2022.

Like other children’s facilities funded by the service clubs in Lindenwood Park in Fargo and at Southwest Regional Park in Moorhead, the new playground is a cooperative project, with the Rotarians raising the funds among businesses and individuals in the community, and the local park district providing land and taking over maintenance of the area when it’s complete. Holly Heitkamp, director of Moorhead parks department, told the Extra, “Moorhead Parks and Recreation could not be more excited to have Riverfront Park in Moorhead chosen as the site of the Natural Playground.  The clubs have a long history of providing amenities in the Moorhead/Fargo community. such as the Miracle Field at the Southside Regional Park.

“The Natural Playground project will be an exciting addition to helping activate the downtown area. t fits perfectly into the new Downtown Moorhead Plan.”

Instead of plastic, concrete and steel, the playground amenities will mirror the native elements around them – trees and logs, grass, rocks, sandy paths and even water features. The central feature is envisioned to be the “treehouse,” a two-story structure of log steps to climb and a suspended rope bridge to cross. Plans also include a hilly bike path in an adjacent spot where youngsters can develop their bicycle skills, just as their elders did decades ago.

Ernie Simmons, a member of Moorhead Rotary who serves on the planning committee, observes, “Children today are too often separated from a playful engagement with nature. This natural playground seeks to address this need by providing an engaging and fun learning environment to reconnect with nature.”

Ranck adds, “Children love activities that seem a little adventurous. They like to test themselves and try new things.” She notes that injuries are actually less frequent in these more challenging settings: “When kids feel a little thrill of danger, statistics show they’re more alert and aware. In more manufactured settings where they’re not challenged, they’re more likely to push the rules and get hurt.”

The Rotary group is working with Confluence, a Fargo landscape architecture firm, to develop plans for the Natural Park. “It’s really a great big landscaping project,” Ranck notes. The firm, which is also working with the city on plans for developing downtown Moorhead, intends to partner with a construction firm early in development to insure that costs fit well within the budget.

The Rotary Foundation has already raised more than $70,000 from Fargo and Moorhead club members. It is moving into the campaign’s public phase in coming weeks. The total cost is roughly projected at $700,000.

Ranck says excitement is building for the unusual play area, which is meant to be a regional destination. “The Convention and Visitors Bureau is enthusiastic about adding another attraction for families that come to the metro area,” she notes. “Parents come for sports and shopping. This will give the youngsters something fun and exciting to do – a memorable place to blow off a little steam. They’re going to want to play for more than 10 minutes.”

More information on plans for the Natural Playground is available online at www.fmrotaryfoundation.com and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FmNaturalPlayground