Playground equipment for toddlers is needed in Virginia State Parks
Playground equipment designed for 2-5 year olds (toddlers) is needed throughout Virginia's State 
Park System. The existing playgrounds, with few exceptions, were designed for 5-12 year olds.
The Park System has more than 7 million visitors each year and many families have children in the toddler age range. The Commonwealth has no funds for providing such equipment. Thus, the Virginia Association for Parks (VAFP), a 501(c)(3) organization, is seeking help in funding this equipment need.
Project Description
Nine state parks have a significant railroad history and/or presence. VAFP would like to obtain the requisite funds for purchasing and installing playground trains for toddlers in these nine parks.
In addition to the playground trains providing excellent platforms for toddler recreation and physical exercise, the combination of the railroad and park histories will provide wonderful opportunities for educational and interpretive programming for all ages.
The Friends of Lake Anna State Park have taken the lead in developing a prototype. They have researched manufacturers, obtained cost estimates, and 
selected both a product (see above picture) and manufacturer of choice. The Lake Anna State Park Friends Group is presently seeking funding to implement the prototype in that state park.
Between 1830 and 1850, Virginia was the third largest gold producing state in the Nation. Thus, in addition to the playground train providing an excellent platform for toddler recreation and physical exercise, the combination of the goldmine and the playground train will provide wonderful opportunities for educational and interpretive programming for all ages.
Estimated Project Cost
The estimated cost per playground is $30,526.85. Thus, the projected cost for the nine parks totals $274,741.65.
The estimated costs include shipping and manufacturer installation, after which the manufacturer will assume related liability.
Listing Of The Nine State Parks With Significant Railroad History
- Caledon Natural Area - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- High Bridge Trail State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Lake Anna State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Leesylvania State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Natural Tunnel State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- New River Trail State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Pocahontas State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Staunton River Battlefield Historic State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
- Wilderness Road State Park - Donate to a playground train at this park using PayPal by clicking the button below:
Lake Anna Prototype Project Description
Manufacturer Specs and Cost Proposal
Toddler playground train funding request letter
