The Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide is one of Smith’s original pieces of play equipment built in 1905 – just a few years after the Playground opened! In the early 2000’s it was named in honor of the eldest daughter of Ida Newman, one of Smith’s beloved founding board members. Ida was a long-time Strawberry Mansion resident who played at Smith as a child and supported our mission through her adult life. The Slide is the source of countless intergenerational memories for thousands of families in Philadelphia and beyond. Since 1899, Smith has been a free, safe space for play. Children of all backgrounds come together to exercise their bodies and imaginations through playful learning experiences, and the slide remains an iconic play destination to this day. The unique wooden sliding board is 12.5 feet wide, 40 feet long, and is waxed and polished for optimal sliding speed.
What happens at the Slide-A-Thon?
The Slide-A-Thon begins with family-friendly activities and kids’ relay races in the morning. Children will be grouped by age, and the fastest times take top honors. When they’re not competing, sliders can participate in crafts, games, burlap sack decorating, and more. Every child gets a prize!
The team competition begins in the afternoon. Teams of up to 10 sliders go head-to-head to see who can complete the most slides in a 10-minute time frame and be crowned the Slide-A-Thon Champions. Socialize with friends, colleagues, and other teams, enjoy beer, food trucks, and snacks, and have a blast supporting Smith! Prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams.
How does the Slide-A-Thon raise money for Smith?
Registration is $1000 per team or $25 per child. All participants are encouraged to create a peer-to-peer fundraising site leading up to the event to cover entry fees and raise additional money for Smith.
How do I register a team to participate in Slide-A-Thon?
Click the “Register Now” button above and enter your team details. Only one name is required to complete registration. The remaining team members’ names can be added later.
Can I still support the Slide-A-Thon if I’m unable to attend?
Yes! You can make a donation of any size to support this event by selecting the “Donation” option on the registration page. In addition, Smith offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities. Learn more!
What do proceeds from the Slide-A-Thon support?
Proceeds from Slide-A-Thon directly benefit the maintenance of Smith’s existing facilities and programs and the creation of new programs that better serve the community. Our goal is to always provide free, unstructured, nature-based play opportunities and quality educational programming while promoting environmental stewardship, especially for those in the underserved communities surrounding Smith that rely on our space the most.
Questions? Contact Danielle Smith, Director of Development, at danielles@smithplayground.org or call 215-765-4325.
