Oregon's First Indoor Playground Opens in Salem

The idea is to provide a fun, interactive place for families to gather in all seasons.

Photos courtesy: Nicole Miller

(SALEM, Ore.) - A dream for children was realized this month with the unveiling of the first indoor playground facility in Oregon.

It was the vision of Elizabeth McDonough of Salem, who researched indoor playgrounds across the world for several years. She says that after much planning and research, her group was able to create a playground that took into account the most creative and successful aspects of indoor playgrounds around the world.

She says her biggest mission was to fulfill a vision for Oregon children.

McDonough's dream was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the official opening of NW Kids Club, Inc. of Salem on August 2nd. The NW Kids Club is located at 1810 Freeway Court NE, Suite 150, behind the Newport Bay Restaurant on Market and Hawthorne.

Nicole Miller with the NW Kids Club says the service that the club will provide is "active play." Studies have shown that active playtime is a major determining factor in the social, emotional, physical, and mental development of children.

Experts say structured playtime promotes imagination and creativity, self-esteem, abstract thinking and problem solving. With active play, children will learn cooperation, empathy for others, and they will develop language and social skills.

The playground is designed for children ages seven and younger. It was designed to serve as a safe, fun, exciting family entertainment facility.

The idea behind NW Kids Club is to provide a fun, interactive place for families to gather in all seasons, including Salem's' hot summers, cold winters, and during the long rainy months.

The 7,000 sq. ft. family recreation center will feature a 16' x 20' sand box, slides, inflatable bouncer, club houses, riding toys and soft modular play equipment that is safe and fun for young children to play on.

For more information about NW Kids Club, visit nwkidsclub.net