Tom Pearce Playground Project

05/02/2023

The Josephine County Parks Department invites you to attend the formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the new playground at Tom Pearce County Park. The Ceremony will take place at Tom Pearce Park on May 4th, 2023 at 3:30PM.

The new inclusive and accessible playground designed by Playcraft Systems, will accommodate and appeal to children of all abilities. The Playground is designed for children ages 5 – 12 years old, however, the playground is one that all can enjoy.

The original Tom Pearce Playground was dedicated in 1990 and served park visitors for 29 years before it was declared unsafe during an inspection by Parks personnel. The playground was closed by the Parks Department July 12, 2019, and the decommissioned playground was subsequently removed.

The Grants Pass Kiwanis, the Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation, and the Josephine County Parks Department partnered in raising funds for the new playground. Over $90,000 was received in grant funds, sponsorships, and donations, with the remaining $319,000 coming from Josephine County ARPA funds. Funders include: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Grants Pass Kiwanis, Carpenter Foundation, Grants Pass Active Club, Grants Pass Toyota, Rotary Club of Grants Pass, KidZone Community Foundation, Siskiyou Community Health Center, AllCare Health, Rogue River Rats, as well as other private donors.

12/16/2022

"The longer you have to wait for something, the more you will appreciate it when it finally arrives.” - Susan Gale

Workers are still diligently making progress on the playground and ensuring our all-inclusive playground is built to the highest of safety standards for everyone to enjoy. We know the wait is taking a little longer than anticipated and we want to say thank you to everyone for your continued patience. The completed playground will be appreciated greatly when it’s finally complete and we can’t wait to share that moment with you.

11/14/2022

Looking for safe play? We’ve got you covered.

Introducing the Playshare Swing locally made at Playcraft Systems. They say “Our PlayShare Swing is an ideal bonding experience between adults and children. These swings are great for promoting healthy and cooperative play between children when properly supervised.”

The new inclusive playground at Tom Pearce County Park will have a stunning version of what you see in the images attached here. We can’t wait for you to get out and play!

First play date will be announced soon!

11/07/2022

One thing we really heard at public meetings was the need for swings that could accommodate all children in Josephine County. We listened!

Have you ever heard of a Trans-Glide? Made locally by Playcraft Systems, they explain it as “An innovative and fun activity made especially for ADA accessible play systems. The Trans-Glide has a geared handle mechanism that activates gliding back-and-forth motion.”

The new inclusive playground at Tom Pearce County Park will have a stunning version of what you see in the images attached here. We can’t wait for you to get out and play!

Opening date coming soon!

11/02/2022

Did you hear the good news? The new inclusive and accessible playground designed by Playcraft Systems will be installed this Fall at Tom Pearce County Park in beautiful Grants Pass, Oregon! You read that right, this Fall 2022!

The new destination playground for kids of all ages, and adults who are young at heart, will be installed in the coming weeks. Want to know when the first play date and ribbon cutting will be? Check back for updates and installation progress photos coming soon!

The Grants Pass Kiwanis, Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation and Josephine County Parks Department partnered in raising funds for the new playground. More than $90,000 was received in grant funds, sponsorships and donations, with the remaining $319,000 coming from Josephine County American Rescue Plan Act funds. Funders include the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Grants Pass Kiwanis, Grants Pass Active Club, Grants Pass Toyota, Rotary Club of Grants Pass, KidZone Community Foundation, Greater Grants Pass Rotary, Carpenter Foundation, Siskiyou Community Health Center and AllCare Health, as well as other private donors.

02/16/2022

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x7SDnOhdRto

This is the final proposed playground design. Public comments will be accepted through February 22, 2022. Email: [email protected] Mail: 125 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass, OR 97527.

For more information, visit JosephineCountyParks.com

Thank you to the foundations, sponsors and private donors! Josephine County ARPA Funds ($319k), Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation ($25k), Ford Family Foundation ($25k), Grants Pass Kiwanis ($15k), Carpenter Foundation ($10k), Grants Pass Active Club ($5.5k), Grants Pass Toyota ($5k), Grants Pass Rotary ($1.5k), KidZone Community Foundation ($1k), Siskiyou Community Health Center ($1k), AllCare Health ($1k).

This is the final proposed playground design. Public comments will be accepted through February 22, 2022. Email: [email protected] Mail: 125 Ringuett...

02/15/2022

Join us tonight at 5:30 pm! Public Meeting: Tom Pearce Park Playground

Zoom Meeting: https://josephinecounty-gov.zoom.us/j/86937450719?pwd=TW9pU2RCRDdDcEpjTzVsNEtRODZodz09

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 869 3745 0719
Passcode: 119680

02/12/2022

Josephine County Parks to showcase design for Tom Pearce Park playground

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Josephine County Parks Department will conduct a virtual public meeting Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. to showcase the final proposed playground design for the much-anticipated rebuild of the Tom Pearce Park playground.

Members of the public are invited to attend the online meeting to learn about the final design of the playground, answer questions and hear from other residents about the design. The Zoom link will be available at JosephineCountyParks.com. The meeting will be recorded and available to those who can’t attend the meeting. Public comments will be accepted until Feb. 22.

“The playground will be a destination for kids of all ages, and adults who are young at heart,” said Sarah Garceau, Josephine County Parks director.

The new inclusive and accessible playground designed by Playcraft Systems will accommodate and appeal to children of all abilities, complete with rubber tile flooring.

The Grants Pass Kiwanis, Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation and Josephine County Parks Department partnered in raising funds for the new playground. More than $90,000 was received in grant funds, sponsorships and donations, with the remaining $319,000 coming from Josephine County American Rescue Plan Act funds. Funders include the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Grants Pass Kiwanis, Carpenter Foundation, Grants Pass Active Club, Grants Pass Toyota, Grants Pass Rotary, KidZone Community Foundation, Siskiyou Community Health Center and AllCare Health, as well as other private donors.

Funds are now secured to move forward with the playground project. Additional donations and sponsorships received will be used to add additional park benches and other site amenities around the playground area.

The original Tom Pearce Playground was dedicated in 1990 and served park visitors for almost 30 years before it was declared unsafe during an inspection by Parks personnel. The playground was closed by the Parks Department July 12, 2019, and the decommissioned playground was subsequently removed.

To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation website at JosephineParks.com, or mail a check to the Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation, PO Box 122, Grants Pass, OR 97528.

02/11/2022

The Josephine County Board of County Commissioners approved $319,000 in ARPA money. Our funding goal has been met!

All additional sponsorships or donations will go towards park benches, trash cans and other site amenities. The playground is expected to be installed in the Summer of 2022.

07/23/2021

We have secured just over 85% of funding for the Tom Pearce Playground Project! We have raised about $350,000 and are only $60,000 short of our funding goal at this time.

Are you interested in making a tax deductible donation? Donations can be made through the Josephine Parks and Recreation Foundation, or by using the "Donate" button on this page. https://josephineprf.wixsite.com/parks/tom-pearce-playground

07/23/2021

We would like to thank the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program for providing $25,000 funding to the Tom Pearce Park Playground Project! This grant will provide our community with an awesome playground that will truly enhance all our lives.