Fairview’s decades-old Bowie playground removed. What’s next?

The Treehouse Playground in Fairview provided over two decades of fun for children -- and also is a testament to the determination of the community and a transplant family. 

The playground was removed Monday. Fairview City Manager Scott Collins said it was time. Some members of the city park’s support group agreed. And some Fairview citizens were saddened and angered. 

However, the next steps will be about moving forward: What’s next for the playground site and the park? 

“I have come to appreciate the value our community places on Bowie Nature Park. The park is a tremendous asset enjoyed by our city residents,” wrote Collins in a public letter to the citizens of Fairview. He added that the Treehouse Playground has also served as a “great asset to the park and the community.” 

“Unfortunately, the playground has exhausted its useful life and reached a point of disrepair such that it can no longer be depended upon as a safe place for our children to play,” Collins continued. “Although the removal of the existing playground has become necessary, this removal also gives us an opportunity to develop a new vision for a new playground and to consider a new vision for the entire park.” 

Eileen Brogran, president of Friends of Bowie Nature Park, said she and others in Fairview would have liked more warning that the playground was being taken down. She saw a variety of social media comments and said she was mostly encouraged because of the community optimism on rebuilding the playground.

"It was time. And honestly, as far as taking down the playground, it was inevitable," said Brogran, who was a volunteer 21 years ago when the playground was built.  

About the rebuild, she said "I think the city wants to help. I think the community wants to help. I'm really hoping its going to be a partnership."

According to Brogan, the bricks and slats with people's names on them and signs purchased by the Friends of Bowie Nature Park through a grant have been saved. 

Treehouse Playground background

The construction of Treehouse Playground started in Chris and Bill Grayson moved to Fairview in 1997, along with their five children. Chris Grayson was inspired to build a park, according to the Friends of Bowie Park newsletter, and contacted playground company called Leathers and Associates. She then met with the mayor. A $150,000 fundraising goal was set as well as plan to gather 2,500 volunteers. 

After many fundraisers and business donations, and a playground-naming contest at the elementary school, the name Treehouse Playground was chosen. According to the newsletter, the City of Fairview voted in April 1998 to contribute $30,000 toward the playground, which made it possible. A dedication and grand opening ceremony took place May 16 that year. 

Playground site options 

The Friends of Bowie has presented options for a new playground, including another Leathers and Associates-built playground made with recycled structural plastics (which is what the company uses now); a natural playground which could “give children the opportunity to play with natural objects in a controlled environment free from poison ivy, thorns, and dangerous animals.” The playground, the group’s letter states, contains a variety of elements, a few of which were part of the Treehouse Playground: musical instruments, balance beams, sand pits, a mud kitchen, a cave, a magnifying station, and more. 

Collins said an estimate to build a more durable playground would be about $350,000, according to the newsletter. 

In his letter to the community, which was posted Monday, Collins said citizens will be invited “to a series of meetings to discuss the park playground, a business plan or plans for the operation of the park as well as preservation and enhancement opportunities within the park.” 

Collins advised that there will be two meetings (actually four) coming up in the immediate future at which the future of the playground will be discussed. This Thursday, July 11, will be a city council work session at 6 p.m. followed by the city council meeting at 7 p.m. at Fairview City Hall.  Collins will be making a presentation at both meetings.  Their will be another work session and council meeting on Thursday, July 18 where The Friends of Bowie Nature Park will be in attendance. Members of the community are encouraged to attend any or all of the meetings to find out how they can be involved.

He added that removing the playground provides citizens an opportunity to “develop a new vision for a new playground.”

- Freelance writer Deb Fehr contributed to this story.