Play it Forward: Give the Gift of Play

Dear Smith Friends,

Essential. Accessible. Intergenerational. As I’ve tried to characterize our work over the past year, I keep coming back to these three words. Here’s why.

At Smith, we witness the benefits of play everyday. We see complex negotiations at the Giant Wooden Slide as kids decide who will sail down first. We see confidence and self-esteem built in real time when a child finally scales to the top of the Apollo Spinner. And, we see families of every race, ethnicity, and religious background, from every corner of the city and suburbs, come together under the banner of joyful recreation. What we can’t always see is the profound impact that this space has on our visitors’ social and emotional well-being. We’ll let 3 of our guests tell you what that impact has meant to their lives.

Peace of mind—that’s a pretty astonishing feat for a Playground. But those of us who love Smith know that it’s so much more than a Playground. Our open fields, wooded terrain, and sloped hills invite us to engage with the silly and the serene simultaneously. For many Philadelphians, there simply isn’t another space where that’s possible. Smith is essential.

No child should have to watch their classmates leave for a school trip while they stay behind with a handful of other kids whose parents couldn’t send any money with the permission slip. State Rep. Amen Brown remembers this feeling, and he’s not alone. While Philly is home to world-class educational and cultural institutions, they come at a cost that is out of reach for far too many households. Smith is proud to be Philadelphia’s only FREE destination for safe indoor/outdoor interactive play experiences 6 days a week. Smith is accessible.

Helen (seen in the photo at right, middle) visited Smith with her Sunday school class for the first time in 1930. In her early 90’s she returned to the Giant Wooden Slide with her sister-in-law Joanne (right) and daughter Gale (left). The slide was a lot smaller than Helen remembered as a child, when a trip to the bottom felt endless, but the feeling of elation that comes from being at Smith was exactly the same. Gathering at Smith is a family tradition that Philadelphians have shared for over a century. It’s a rite of passage and the site of countless memories passed down through generations. Smith is intergenerational. 

These stories resonate with us because we are part of a community of caregivers committed to the power of play. We know that Smith is so much more than a Playground. Smith is a pioneer, a refuge, and a visionary all rolled into one.

We envision big changes at Smith in 2023 to expand our programs and refresh our indoor and outdoor play experiences. We ask that you join us in making this vision a reality. From 12/26-12/31, Smith Playground’s generous Board of Directors will match all gifts from NEW donors and all INCREASED gifts from previous donors up to $15,000. Please consider making a gift this year if you are able.

With much gratitude,

Frances Hoover

Executive Director

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Here’s to You in 2022! from Smith Playground on Vimeo.