Happy Hollow new playground becomes reality thanks to generous donors

The new playground at Happy Hollow Camp is a site to behold with a geodome, zip Line, low ropes course, giant 8-foot slide, traditional monkey bars and more.

And as soon at the ribbon was cut for the grand opening, dozens of kids ran to the playground to have some fun.

The Friendly House and Happy Hollow Day Camp celebrated the opening Friday night of the new playground at 792 Hull Road with a ribbon-cutting with local community leaders.

The preparation work and equipment installation of the playground project began Nov. 23, 2022 and was completed May 5.

Richland Area Chamber-Economic Development officials and guests were joined by children in the Friendly House After School program who couldn't wait to try out the colorful and inviting playground equipment.

Terry Conard, executive director of Friendly House, 380 N. Mulberry St., said he wished to thank sponsors HDR Foundation, the State of Ohio in conjunction with OCCRRA.org Stabilization Grant, Warren Rupp (IDEX Foundation), S.N. & Ada Ford Fund, U.S. Bank Foundation and the Norfolk Southern Foundation's Community Impact Grant for their support of this important project at Happy Hollow Day Camp.

"John Carr is here and he just mentioned as he pulled in today that he was 14 years old when he helped us put in this mini playground which we obviously had to tear down to get this new system up," Conard said. "This is much bigger, much better and more kids can play on it. What do you say everyone, do we want to thank everybody for sponsoring it?," he said as the kids all clapped and cheered in the light rain.

Happy Hollow Day Camp has been at Hull Road since it was the original Hidden Hollow Camp in 1940 and was reimagined as Happy Hollow in 1960.

The playground has not had a true renovation with new equipment in decades, Conard said. It was at end of its usable life and needed an update.

The original Hidden Hollow Camp was established at Hull Road from a land gift in 1940.

In 1960, due to the construction of Interstate 71 between Columbus and Cleveland, Friendly House relocated Hidden Hollow Resident Camp to property on Possum Run Road and the original Hull Road property was reestablished as Happy Hollow Day Camp.

Happy Hollow Camp is an active way for children ages 6 to 14 to experience camp without having to spend evenings away from home. Happy Hollow is a nine-week program, Mondays through Fridays, beginning June 12.

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