Bybee Lakes Hope Center Receives a Playground Donation

What once stood as a Corrections Facility has now been transformed into an area of hope and play for families and children experiencing homelessness in the Multnomah County area. The never before used, 155,000 square foot facility will now be home to Bybee Lakes Hope Center and a brand-new playground thanks to the support of Playcraft Systems, Allplay Systems, and The Kids Backyard Store. This center will serve the community by providing transitional housing to homeless individuals and families ready to make sustainable changes to achieve self-sufficiency.

Who better to help these individuals than someone who has gone through homelessness themselves? Alan Evans, the founder, and CEO of Helping Hands Centers developed the nonprofit organization after having experienced homelessness firsthand.

The organization has successfully provided transitional housing since 2002. The center is partially open for the first year of operations to make sure they can guarantee a sustainable program and expects to be at full capacity (525 beds) within the next year or two. The center offers a medical wing, kitchen, classrooms/meeting rooms, and now a new playground for children to run, play and exercise their minds and bodies. It will be a place many people can finally call home.

The inspiration behind donating a playground to The Hope Center came from Dave Jubitz, with the Kids Backyard Store. Allplay Systems, Playcraft Systems, and Dave Jubitz all partnered together to help deliver a playground to the center. Each company realized the sort of impact this playground would have on kids at Bybee Lakes. It will be a place they can go to play, make everlasting memories, and just be kids while they are there.

Although the teams ran into a few obstacles along the way, they were all able to come together to find a solution.

"It was heartwarming to see various organizations and individuals coming together to resolve funding shortages. Our goal was to create a place where the children of Bybee Lakes Center can feel free to relax, play, and share the joy with others." - Danielle Patterson with Allplay Systems.

The play structure is a train-themed design that features a slide, tunnels, interactive play panels, and quiet, cozy spaces where children can foster relationships and imaginary play. The theme design provides added play value by stimulating a child's already active imagination. It is also important to acknowledge A Pacific West Construction company for going above and beyond installing this playground. Thanks to them and many others, the playground is now finished and ready for all to enjoy! 

Bybee Lakes Hope Center plans to complete renovations over the summer to open its doors fully before the cold weather approaches. For more information about Bybee Lakes, be sure to check their website out https://www.bybeelakeshopecenter.com/ 

About Playcraft

Playcraft Systems®, a PlayCore company, has a simple but clear purpose – to produce the finest playground equipment in the industry through unmatched craftsmanship, design, and service while supporting communities and advancing the future of play. To learn more visit, www.playcraftsystems.com.

About Allplay Systems

Allplay Systems is a Northwest-based provider of commercial outdoor recreation equipment servicing Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Hawaii, and beyond. Our quality lines of playground equipment, safety surfacing, outdoor athletic equipment, site amenities, bleachers, and shelters, enable us to provide our customers with a total solution for their outdoor play projects and our superior customer service - before, during, and after the sale - keeps them coming back. To learn more visit, www.allplaysystems.com 

About PlayCore

PlayCore is a purpose-driven company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of commercial play and recreation products and services to create tailored solutions that match the unique needs of each community served. Learn more at www.playcore.com