Community Support
FOWP and Wilmington State Parks met with interested community members to discuss the plans for the new playground. We will continue to meet with them to plan for the future of the Happy Valley site.
Happy Valley Renovation
Offering New Park Resources for the South Side of the Brandywine
FOWP is bringing new resources to the south side of the river in Brandywine Park.
Directly across the river from the Brandywine Zoo, is a neighborhood called Happy Valley. There is a green space in front of the neighborhood facing South Park Drive and the rest of Brandywine Park that was the former site of a city pool. Historically, that area has a small picnic pavilion and outdated play structure. FOWP is working with Wilmington State Parks, elected officials, and the community to reimagine what that area could become.
Phase 1, due to be finished in the summer of 2026, is the installation of a new playground. FOWP and its partners will then work with the community to plan for a new use of that green space to include resources that the community will enjoy.
The Project Will Include
- A new playground with climbing structure and swings.
- Re-imagined community space that meets the needs of the communities on the south side of the Brandywine.
- Increased opportunities for community programming and partnerships.
Phase 1 Price Tag: $62,800
Includes playground structure, safety substrate and installation.
Generous Donations & Grants
To date, we have received generous support from Senator Daniel Cruce, City Councilman James Spadola and Christiana Care to make this project possible. We also received a grant from GameTime, a playground construction company, that reduced our costs by $14,800. Currently we are raising an additional $8,000 for the playground installation due to take place this spring.