Free, weekly playtime to start at Mat-Su Borough Gym

PALMER — Local parents and caregivers now have a new place to bring their young children to play. It’s open kids 5 and under and it’s all for free.

Toddler Playtime opens to the public Oct. 16 and will be open every Wednesday at the Matanuska Susitna Borough Gym in downtown Palmer from 10 a.m. to noon. Supervision is required.

The idea for toddler play time came from conversations during the Livable Communities project in Palmer. Community members Lee Henrikson, Ray Gamradt and Louisa Branchflower worked on the Livable Communities project together.

They connected with Michele Harmeling from United Way of Mat-Su, who helped them gain grant money from the Early Childhood Partnership of Mat-Su to make this new weekly tradition happen.

Henrikson said that part of the inspiration to make this happen revolved around the fact that during winter, it becomes increasingly difficult for families with young children to find affordable things to in the community.

She hopes the program is a hit.

“We’ll see how the kinks work out the first time, but we’re excited,” Henrikson said. “It’s so good for families.”

They are currently seeking volunteers for this new program. Parent volunteers interested in helping open, supervise and close the gym can visit unitedwaymatsu.org/volunteer to sign up.

For more information, call 907-745-5824 or email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com