THE PLAYGROUNDgr brings play experts to GRAND RAPIDS PLAYS, inviting our community to participate in: drum circles, mindfulness, yoga, nature play, art and other play led activities that may not be accessible in other scenarios.
Due to barriers related to insurance, out of pocket costs and access to transportation, THE PLAYGROUNDgr is committed to bringing play experts, tools and strategies to our whole community. Last years partners included: Grand Rapids Public Library, Early On Learning Collaborative, Congress Elementary, Full Bloom Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness, Nature Crate and Josh Dunigan drums. Attendees received new books, play tools and drum, in support of continuing play at home.
In 2023 THE PLAYGROUNDgr expanded our midbrain and expert play opportunities, inviting Great Lakes Circus Center to bring circus arts, as well as Tekqnique Academy to bring break dancing. We continued to showcase over 10 hands on play experts and brainstem, midbrain, limbic and cortical cortex play, with partners that included: Full Bloom Yoga and Mindfulness, Tree School, The Grand Rapids Public Library, THE PLAYGROUNDgr, The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, DJ Collin Chaos, Bounce house from Grand Rapids Bounce House, drum circles and giveaways led by Josh Dunigan and Congress Elementary. We welcomed over 300 neighbors to join us for an afternoon of intentional play.
In 2024 THE PLAYGROUNDgr continued Grand Rapids Plays with the Grand Rapids Community, increasing our drum give away to 50 drums!
AND we are back! See you September 20, 2025 ...
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Congress Elementary
940 Baldwin St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
No Sign Up Required!
PLAY TOGETHER IS AROUND THE CORNER...
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Sierra Hatfield is this years FEATURED Grand Rapids Plays Midbrain Expert. Sierra is the Founder and Executive Director of Grand Rapids Circus Project (GRCP), a local nonprofit with a mission to increase access to circus arts. GRCP travels throughout Grand Rapids to teach free circus lessons to children and adults.
Sierra is the advanced aerial silk combos instructor and rope instructor at Great Lakes Circus Center. In addition to teaching, Sierra also performs dance and aerial silk. Her goal is to keep building an inclusive circus community that will create art for all of Grand Rapids to enjoy.