After the success of the Kids Connection playground in Franksville in 2000, many people expressed interest in a similar playground in an accessible location near downtown Racine. An exploratory meeting was held with Racine officials, but volunteers were needed to lead the project.

As part of the original Sustainable Racine project, a group of people in the Zoo and North Beach area had completed several projects to enhance their area, including restoration of the Zoo Path and daylily planting along Lake Michigan. This group, the Lakeview Community Group, was looking for a new project, preferably a playground. The acting leader, Bob Oertel, asked Stephen Smiley to co-chair a playground effort for the North Beach area. Stephen was also a member of the current Leadership Racine class, a group that had independently concluded that North Beach could use a playground. After choosing a playground as their community project, the Leadership Racine group merged with the Lakeview Community Group to form the North Beach Playground Group in October 2002 with Bob and Stephen as general coordinators.

In January 2003, the North Beach Playground Group canvassed the neighborhoods to generate support for and address concerns about a playground. The response was overwhelmingly positive. On March 6, a town hall meeting was held at the Lakeview Community Center. The North Beach Playground Group had grown to over thirty volunteers organized into eight sub-committees.

On May 20, Dennis Wille, a designer from Leathers and Associates who grew up in Racine, visited Janes and Red Apple elementary schools in Racine to get ideas from the children about what they would like to see in a playground. By lunchtime, Dennis was sketching the playground based on the children's ideas and dreams. The children were able to watch the design unfolding as Dennis worked into the afternoon. The playground design was unveiled at the evening community celebration at Red Apple School.

During the summer months, members of the playground group attended a variety of festivals and events to increase awareness of the playground and recruit volunteers. A float was entered in Racine's Fourth Fest parade. Century 21 Savaglio & Cape sponsored a Victorian playhouse to be raffled off at the Racine County Fair and designated the playground as one of the charities. Mayor Gary Becker hosted a "Lunch on the Lawn" to benefit the playground. The proceeds from the $10,000 Cash Raffle and Silent Auction went toward the playground.

In early September, all elementary children in Racine were given the opportunity to name the playground. A committee narrowed the list to five candidates from over 350 entries submitted. After the Parks & Recreation department and City Council consider the options, the official name, Kids Cove, was announced during the playground build.

As October approached, many volunteers worked to arrange for childcare, tool and food donations, skilled and unskilled volunteers for the build, and the sale of pickets, tiles, and bricks. Local individuals and corporations contributed by sponsoring specific pieces of playground equipment. Fundraising exceeded the $200,000 mark.

The actual building of the playround was an exciting week of activity. Hundreds of people volunteered to help build, especially on Make A Difference Day (see photos...). After approval by the Racine City Council, the official name, Kids Cove, was announced. The grand opening ceremony took place on Sunday, October 26, 2003.

Kids Cove Playground