Natural Playground Underway In Webster Groves

By Holly Shanks

Webster-Kirkwood Times March 8, 2013

     Webster Groves will be home to Missouri’s first natural playground now under construction at the Walter Ambrose Family Center (WAFC), 222 W. Cedar Ave., formally known as Bristol Primary.

     The playground is designed and being installed by The Natural Playground Company (NPC) from New Hampshire. The new play space will be approximately 38,000 square feet and is expected to be completed later this spring.

     Funding for the new playground, which is expected to cost a total of $279,000, came from the Walter Ambrose Family Center Parent Teacher Organization, several grants and a development fund established in 2002 by the Early Childhood Program.

     Informational sessions were held about the new play concept and parent groups enthusiastically embraced the idea, according to Webster Groves School District Community Relations Director Cathy Vespereny.

     Vespereny also said that Assistant Director of Early Years Education Merlene Gilb elaborated on the decision to switch from a traditional playground to a natural one.