Push Play opens new playground in Ronan

Members of the Push Play leadership team gathered at the new playground in Ronan last Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the group’s first major project.

Located off Mary McCleod Lane, across from the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan and near the skate park, the new play area had already attracted a flock of kids to explore the custom Bear Climber, a Dreamcatcher Shadow Spinner, Eagles Nest swings, drums, a dragonfly, and more. A shaded area with picnic tables offers parents and elders a spot to relax while youngsters explore.

According to team member Jennifer Rolfsness, Push Play aims to rekindle children’s enthusiasm for being outdoors.

“Playing outside is such a healthy thing, physically and mentally,” she said. “It seems like since COVID we are losing a generation to the inside gaming and TV world.”

While the new play area is now open, Rolfsness says a few more tweaks are in the works before the grand opening later this summer.

Once completed, the complex will feature the Push Play park, the skatepark, pickleball and basketball courts, walking trails, and several amenities designed to create a vibrant community hub.

Push Play is an offshoot of Zero to Five Flathead Reservation Lake County, an organization devoted to fostering community understanding, education and engagement while exploring ways to support families and children.

The Push Play leadership team has been meeting since 2022 and includes representatives from tribal and non-tribal programs, law enforcement, education, healthcare and the public sector. Members are 

Last summer, the group helped install new playground pieces at Boettcher Park in Polson and plans are in the works for a new Push Play splash park in Polson. They also plan to expand to Arlee, St. Ignatius and Pablo.

Meanwhile, the Ronan project is very close to the finish line, despite unexpected delays caused by changing roads, site development and challenging weather conditions. Over the next year, paths, signage and landscaping will be completed. Informational signs will highlight historical and cultural aspects of the area, connecting the Ronan site with other locations in the network.

The Ronan site honors the local community and is centered around the history of Spring Creek. Tom McDonald, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council and the Push Play leadership team, noted in a press release that the stream that meanders through town is significant to the Ronan community, “reflecting both our history and connection to the land.”

“This project is more than recreation – it’s about honoring our roots and creating a welcoming space where families can gather, celebrate our shared heritage, and build a stronger future together,” he said.

Team member Eleanor Vizcarra highlighted the grassroots nature of the project: “As a community-driven initiative, Push Play embodies the power of collaboration and volunteerism. Our leadership team brings together diverse voices and expertise to ensure this project meets the real needs of families and children.”

“It’s inspiring to see how much can be accomplished when the community comes together with a shared vision,” she added.

According to the Push Play website, pushplayfrlc.org, the playground network will serve the 33,000 residents of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County, as well as the surrounding counties and tourists traveling along the scenic byway leading to Glacier Park. The Push Play Project aims to provide accessible, safe, and well-maintained outdoor spaces that incorporate natural elements, local culture and historical significance, with equipment designed to last 25 years.

Launched with seed money from the Headwaters Foundation, Push Play also received support from the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe, Salish & Kootenai Mission Management, CSKT Facilities and Maintenance, Helping Hands of Mission Valley, as well as many donors whose names will be listed at the playground at a later date.

Dana Grant, a member of the leadership team, emphasized the need for continued community support.

“While we’ve made incredible progress, we still need the help of our community to cross the finish line,” he wrote. “Every donation, no matter the size, moves us closer to completing this important place for families. Together we can create a place where everyone feels welcome and connected.”

Visit pushplayfrlc.org for details.

    Kids take a spin on the Dreamcatcher at the new Push Play playground in Ronan. (Jennifer Rolfsness photo)
  

    CSKT Tribal Council members Carole Lankford and Tom McDonald, who are also part of the Push Play leadership team, try out the eagle swings at the organization's new playground in Ronan. (Jennifer Rolfsness photo)