The last remaining playhouse from this summer’s Playhouse Project in Avon’s Nottingham Park has found its permanent home. The custom-built playhouse has been relocated to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, where it will help teach children the origin of food.
The playhouse was one of eight homes auctioned off for charity for the Playhouse Project fundraiser. Built by a volunteer team to benefit Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley, the playhouse was purchased at auction by the Vail Board of Realtors Foundation.
“Our organization knew we wanted to purchase the playhouse to support Habitat for Humanity,” said Vail Board of Realtors Association Executive Erica Kirk. “The challenge was finding a location for the playhouse, and we needed to find one quickly. Habitat got us in touch with the Alpine Gardens.”
“The VBR and its members are such great supporters of the local nonprofit community,” said Elyse Howard, Development Director for Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley. “We were thrilled when we learned that they would be purchasing our playhouse and gifting it to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.”
Botanic gardens like Betty Ford Alpine Gardens use children’s farmers markets as play tools to reveal the origin of food to kids. The playhouse will be a “market,” opening in spring 2019.
“The opening will coordinate with the Gardens’ annual theme Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots,” said Nanette Kuich, education director. “The US Botanic Garden’s spectacular 2015 exhibit will be re-created -including the real roots of perennial plants – to illustrate the value roots play in feeding the planet. The children’s farmers market is an ideal tie-in to planned programs and activities.”
The Town of Vail granted permission for the playhouse to be moved to the gardens, and a crew of volunteers and staff retrofitted the playhouse to match the colors and trim of the existing Schoolhouse Gift Shop.
“Thanks to everyone at the Vail Board of Realtors, Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers Phil Paolilli, Patty Young and Jim Wiley, plus our own Alpine Gardens staff and the Town of Vail for making our children’s farmers market a reality,” added Kuich.