On September 29, 2005, John Dean, a playground designer from Leathers and Associates visited the students at Park Elementary and Edna Maguire Elementary School to gather ideas from the children about what they would like to see in a playground.

Energy ran high amongst the mix of 1st-5th graders as each eagerly raised their hand to contribute their ideas. These ideas as well as many drawings were passed onto John Dean by the children.

By lunchtime, John started sketching in the courtyard at Edna Maguire. Surrounded by the children and principal, Lisa Zimmer, the children's ideas and dreams started coming to life. The children were able to watch for awhile asking questions and learning more about how they can bcome a playground designer. One student even brought her own sketch pad and drew her design.

John continued his design in a secret and undisclosed location. He worked implementing all the ideas he heard.

The playground design was unveiled at the Mill Valley Community Center that night at Design Day. Citizens and businesses showed an out pouring of support for the project. The mayor of Mill Valley, Dennis Fisco, also came out and wrote a personal check to help make our children's dreams happen.

The night began with two "playground" songs by students from Park and Edna Maguire. First the children sang "We’ve Been Working on the Playground. Then the children sang and moved to the parks new anthem, "THE SYCAMORE PARK SONG."

To describe the new playground, John walked us through some of the features, including:

• Sunken ship
• Tree Fort
• Dino Dig
• Shaky bridge
• Climbing wall
• Caterpillar Tunnel
• Elephant Trunk Slide
• Telephone system
• Telephone System
• Castle
• Swings
• Obstacle course
• Rings and ladder
• And more!

To view John Dean's Playground Design, click here

Learn more about how you can become a sponsor, sponsor a playground component or help build the park.