Raising Maine

The Inside Out Playground may be closing forever at the end of November. For those of you who aren't familiar with the IOP, it is a safe community indoor activity center for children, located Waterville, ME. It has three rooms of climbing structures, tricycles, games, toys, crafts, books, a puppet theater and more. They offer Music and Movement classes and host PEDs preschool three mornings a week. On the weekends, they host birthday parties.

During our long Maine winters, having a place to run, play and socialize is a Godsend. It pains my heart to think that the IOP will close after 15 years. If anyone would like to help, the IOP needs to raise $6000 in order to remain open.

Mostly, they need to be rediscovered. After their move about three years ago, they're visibility has declined. They did not have the funds to advertise and many people believed they had closed. The IOP lives, for now. They are located at 5 Appleton St. in Waterville, ME 04901. The playground is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. To come and play all day is $5 for children over one and $1 for adults, children under one are free. If you bring a group of 6 children or more, it's $3 per child.

There is a four week Music and Movement class startingTuesday Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. for tiny tots and Thursday Oct. 29, 12:15. The cost is $25 for non-members and $15 for members.

My hope is that other parents might read this and have the information they need to come explore the Inside Out Playground, before it isn't there anymore. If we get enough people, maybe we can save it.