Adaptive Playground Installed

The final part – one railing – for the Kendall Park accessible playground in Baileys Harbor was expected to arrive midweek this week to mark completion of the $540,000 upgrade. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

A local parent, Kari Baumann, and the Baileys Harbor Community Association (BHCA), planned a soft opening for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 am – 3 pm for a new handicap-accessible playground behind the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. Baumann said the opening is mainly for the children to see the new equipment.

Baumann and BHCA Destination Director Cynde Krowas said a grand opening will take place in spring at Kendall Park. 

The park was named for Baumann’s sister, Kendall Marie Weisgerber, who drowned at the marina in 1991 at age 6. The Weisgerber family used life insurance funds and donations in the 1990s to create the first playground in the park, and Baumann spearheaded planning and fundraising for the new $540,000 playground. 

Krowas said one last part for the equipment – a railing – arrived this week, and in spring, installation of donor-funded brick pavers and some final sitework will take place.

Major donors include the town, which contributed $100,000 toward a permanent rubberized playground surface, and grants of $48,000 in 2020 and 2023; the Raibrooke Foundation, which made two $50,000 grants; Rotary Club North, $13,000; BHCA, $7,500; $5,000 donations from Door County Library Association and Wisconsin Public Service Foundation; $3,000 from the 100 Plus Women’s Club; $2,500 in lighting and electrical work donated by Baylake Lighting; and $40,000 in in-kind donated equipment and work from Harbor Construction.