A special event for all those who helped create a remarkable community play space called Kids Kingdom 35 years ago will be held Sunday, May 4 at the Middletown History Center, 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville. The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will host the gathering from 2 to 4 p.m.
Hundreds of children explored, romped, and let their imaginations soar at the Kingdom which existed from 1990 to 2001 and resembled a multi-dimensional castle on the grounds of Margaretville Central School. Former students, now approaching middle age, are especially welcome to share their favorite things about the playground: Rings and ladders? Tunnel slides? Suspension bridge? Swinging horse?
A video of construction of the sprawling, kid-inspired playground will be screened at the reunion. Photos, memorabilia, T-shirts, student letters and other material will be on display. Attendees are encouraged to bring their memories and enjoy socializing over light refreshments. Those who cannot attend are invited to send their memories to historicalsocietyofmiddletown@gmail.com, or record them at 845-586-2400.
The project to build an improved playground at the school was proposed by the MCS PTA following its reactivation in 1987. A research committee visited other regional playgrounds before recommending that architect Robert Leathers and company of Ithaca be engaged to design a play space. Company representatives met with students and teachers in their classrooms to determine their visions for the playground. Their wish lists went far beyond swings, slides and monkey bars. Think wooden dragons, mirrored mazes, a tire tunnel, a kids sized “telephone system” and a puppet theater.
What followed was a spate of fundraisers over two years, the most memorable of which was the Pennies from Heaven event March 9 and 10, 1990, when nearly 273,000 pennies collected by students, senior citizens, businesses, school officials and others were spread across the gym floor, a sight many remember to this day.
Funds in hand, construction of the playground began May 30, 1990 and ran for five days, when more than 50 volunteers and contractors donated their time to build it. Countless other volunteers arranged meals for the workers and activities for their kids. Even older students got involved in raking stone, cleaning tires and carrying materials. Opening ceremonies were held June 3, 1990.
“It was the best five days of my life,” said Playground Committee Chairman Mike Finberg. “It was this generation’s version of an old-fashioned barn raising where everyone contributed something, everyone had a role to play.”
Sadly, the playground was removed in 2001 to make way for a school addition. Nevertheless, Kids Kingdom is remembered as a transformational event in the life of the community, which is warmly invited to the reunion May 4.