Local
Louisville children’s home adds $4 million outdoor space for play and therapy
St. Joseph Children’s Home has built a playground and wellness complex with a basketball court, splash pad, walking trail and amphitheater. The nonprofit says children helped shape the design, and therapists will use the outdoor space with young people in care.
A $4 million playground and wellness complex at St. Joseph Children’s Home in Louisville is giving children in the nonprofit’s care a place to play, gather and take part in therapy.
The Wings of Hope Playground & Wellness Complex includes a playground, basketball court and splash pad. A walking trail and amphitheater, intended for movie nights, are located behind the play area. State grants and private donations paid for the project, which transformed part of the home’s campus.
Children helped decide some of the finishing details. They asked for the splash pad to be set back from the road for safety and wanted multiple spinning features on the playground, said Amanda Gehring, the home’s CEO.
The outdoor space will also support therapy. Gehring said children may talk more freely while moving and engaging in activities, and therapists plan to use the complex in their work with them.
St. Joseph Children’s Home has served children in Kentucky for more than 175 years. Its child care program serves 200 children, while its cottages can house up to 48 children through its foster care program.
Gehring said the complex offers children who have experienced trauma a place to feel safe, play and heal.