Kids World Wooden Playground at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara to be Renovated
Kids World, the unique wooden playground at Alameda Plaza, will soon undergo a major renovation to improve access, upgrade structural integrity, and preserve this important community feature for future generations. The playground will be temporarily closed to the public from September 5 to December 15, 2017. Alameda Plaza and the adjacent Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden will remain open during construction.
Kids World was originally constructed in 1993 by hundreds of community volunteers under the direction of Leathers and Associates, an internationally renowned company recognized for their one-of-a-kind playground designs. With the current renovation project, the City of Santa Barbara and its residents are making a significant investment to preserve this unique playground and upgrade the facility to meet today’s accessibility and building codes.
The playground will be deconstructed, worn posts and boards will be replaced, and the structure will be reassembled with building code-compliant hardware. Additional improvements include better access to the play area for 2-5-year-olds, additional gates and fencing to better secure play areas, and installation of rubber pads in high use areas to reduce maintenance needs. The overall aesthetics and adventurous atmosphere of the playground will remain intact. This renovation project, including design and permitting, is anticipated to cost approximately $650,000.