Playgrounds being torn down on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

In recent months, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, has seen the dismantling of several playgrounds, leaving military families concerned and frustrated. These playgrounds, which once served as vital recreational spaces for children and social hubs for parents, are being removed.

Aurora Military Housing, an affiliate of JL Properties, maintains the playgrounds. They informed residents earlier this summer that 15 playgrounds throughout JBER would be removed this year.

According to that resident email, those playgrounds include seven from the Moose Crossings Neighborhood, four from the Houston neighborhood, one from Fireweed, one from Moose Haven and one from Raven Ridge.

According to their website, Aurora Housing states that while they work to keep legacy playgrounds safe and in working order for as long as possible, some components are no longer available.

“This often involves removing hazardous or in operational components from playgrounds to extend their life and coating wood platforms in rubberized paint. However, there are instances where our CPSI’s assessment finds a playground beyond remedy and slates the playground for demolition,” according to the website.

Aurora Housing also states that they work with JBER to determine locations, sizes and time frames for constructing new playgrounds.

Alison Estes, a JBER resident, said she is upset about the removal of so many playgrounds, including the last one in her neighborhood.

“I just had a baby boy seven months ago and when we first moved here, I was so excited for him to get older and be able to play on our neighborhood playground that’s on our street. Now that it’s been removed he no longer will be able to experience having a playground in his neighborhood,” Estes said.

“There are no playgrounds nearby unless you go across a busy road into another neighborhood which I don’t think is fair.”

Jasmine Dexter, a JBER resident living in the Fireweed neighborhood, said it was a major inconvenience to have so many playgrounds disappear near her. She and her family arrived to the base in January of 2023. Walking is her only option to go to the playground, and the closest one is 10 minutes away in another neighborhood.

“We are a 4 bedroom neighborhood, and we’re the only neighborhood on base with no park now. I would hope Aurora has plans to put one near us, instead of building a bigger and better playground on the Elmendorf side,” Dexter said. “I would hope they could accommodate the fact Fireweed’s entire neighborhood would love somewhere safe for our children to play!”

Aurora Housing also states that they work with JBER to determine locations, sizes and time frames for constructing new playgrounds.

A series of intricate themed playgrounds have been constructed for neighborhoods across the base since 2016. The idea is to have a specific theme at each playground. There is Pirate Park in the Sunflower Neighborhood, an Air Force playground in Denali, an Everyday Heroes playground in Chugach, a western-themed playground in Moose Crossings, a forest-themed playground in Cherry Hill and a Rocket Ship park off Richardson.

An Enchanted Forest theme park was scheduled to be built in the Fireweed neighborhood in 2021 but has been delayed.

The Frontiersman has reached out to Aurora Military Housing for comment on the current plan for the construction of new playgrounds, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.