Ellsworth kids go on safari

  • Published
  • By Airman Ashley J. Woolridge
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth children can now experience a close encounter with a gorilla, elephant and giraffe before sliding down a waterfall without ever having to leave the base.

Safariland, the new playground located in the former coffee shop area of the Holbrook Library, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dec. 7.

Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander, was there to welcome the children, parents and Ellsworth personnel who helped make the play area a reality.

"We had a town hall for Spouse Appreciation Day in May, and at that event I promised we'd deliver this," Weatherington said. "It was promised sometime in January, and here it is pre-Christmas and we're about to cut the ribbon and let you guys in there."

After Weatherington and a few little helpers cut the ribbon, the door - decorated with holiday wrapping paper - was opened to reveal the safari-themed play area. Children cheered and adults looked on with smiles as they filled the room to break in the new toys.

Jeanne Stoltenburg, Holbrook Library director, said Safariland - open to children ages 6 and younger - is a welcomed addition to the library.

"Parents want someplace they can go in the winter and someplace they can go when it's 104 (degrees) out here," Stoltenburg said. "As it was being built, we had parents walking by and looking in and all of them thought this was great."

The facility features carpet depicting scenes from the wilds of Africa, along with sculpted animals and a waterfall that can be slid down, crawled under, climbed on and otherwise enjoyed. The room is complete with safety pads on the walls and built-in memory games and mirrors at just the right height for little explorers.

Although the play area caters to children, Stoltenburg hopes it will be a favorite spot for adults, as well.

"It will be a nice place for parents to network," Stoltenburg surmised. "Sometimes young parents don't get out of the house that much and now they'll be able to connect with each other."

Parents must be present while their little ones are on safari as the room is not directly supervised by library staff, but Stoltenburg said they will perform checks of the playground throughout the day. Moms and dads are also asked to help maintain the cleanliness of the equipment while enjoying the wireless internet capability of the area.

Weatherington said he hopes parents "dig it," adding it is important for young children to have a place they can call their own.

"I'm excited about this," Weatherington added. "This is a pretty incredible facility."

Stoltenburg said she thinks Safariland will attract more attention to the library, and hopes families leave with more than just worn-out kids.

"They're going to walk by and see the books and movies we have and stop and look at them," Stoltenburg predicted. "That's the power of the cover of a book. I hope it gets more kids interested in reading."

Stoltenburg added Safariland is a must-see destination.

"Come in and look," Stoltenburg encouraged. "It's a fun place for the kids, and moms and dads can crawl around on the floor, too."