Kids Space Last Play Marks the Beginning of a New Chapter at Reaves Park

For nearly three decades, generations of Norman children have played and explored the beloved Kids Space playground at Reaves Park. The community will have a final opportunity to make memories at the iconic play area before an exciting new chapter begins.

The City of Norman will host "Kids Space Last Play" from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, at Reaves Park, 2501 S. Jenkins Ave. The free, family-friendly event invites residents to celebrate the history of the community-built playground while looking ahead to a more accessible and inclusive future for Kids Space.

Activities will include face painting, a scavenger hunt, sno-cones, yard games, and commemorative giveaways. A large community banner will be available for attendees to sign and share memories of the playground.

City of Norman Park staff will also be on-site to remove and make available for pick up the engraved boards displaying donor names from the original 1999 build. Boards not collected at the event will be held up to 30 days. To schedule pickup, families may contact the Parks & Recreation Department at [email protected] or 405-366-5472.

A Community Legacy Since 1999

Completed on March 28, 1999, Kids Space was the result of a community-wide volunteer effort. Hundreds of residents came together to construct the massive all-wood structure, funded by more than $130,000 in private fundraising deposited into a dedicated park foundation account. In its first year, the playground expanded with picnic tables, trees, landscaping, game boards, interactive musical play pieces, and other features.

A large L-shaped bench at the entrance featured hand-painted clay tiles created through a Sooner Mall fundraising initiative, decorated with handprints, drawings, and names from community members. Over the years, Kids Space became a cherished destination for families and a defining part of Reaves Park's identity.

The City of Norman has been awarded a Built Environment Grant Program award of $598,000 through the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to support the replacement of the playground. The TSET Grant will be paid over two years, with two phases of construction completed over the two-year build.

The new playground will honor the spirit of the original Kids Space while creating new opportunities for children of all abilities. Planned improvements include:

• An accessible safety surface
• Inclusive play features
• Materials designed to resemble the beloved wood structure while providing improved durability
• A public art component commemorating the 1999 community build and its volunteers

"Kid's Space at Reaves Park has been a special part of Norman for generations," said Jason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation. "For so many families, it has been more than a playground, it has been a place where memories were made, friendships were formed, and our community came together. We're excited to create a new, more accessible space that reflects the needs of today's families while preserving the spirit of the original Kids Space. And just like before, this project will be built with the help of our community."

The City of Norman will once again host a community-build process, inviting residents to help construct the next generation of Kids Space, continuing the tradition of teamwork and community pride established in 1999. Supporting materials from project partners outline the multi-phase volunteer approach for community-built playgrounds.

The city is partnering with the University of Oklahoma American School of Design-Build Program to add a new pavilion to the Kids Space area. Students majoring in Architecture and Construction Science will design and construct the structure as part of their hands-on curriculum. The City will fund materials and assist with construction needs, with completion expected in spring 2027.

For families who grew up at Kids Space, the October event will be an opportunity to reflect on a place that has shaped childhood experiences since 1999. "Kids Space Last Play" will honor memories and set the stage for a new, inclusive playground that will continue inspiring imagination for generations to come.