Seattle’s Child
Kherson Park: New Kent playground is out of this world
Space-themed park celebrates the city’s aerospace history and inspires kids
“We love that it’s right downtown. It’s another really cool interactive activity for people to bring their kids to,” said Michelle Wilmot, economic development manager for the City of Kent. “We hope it sparks kids to think, ‘Hey, I could be the next engineer! The next astronaut!”
This $2.4 million project has been in the works for more than 5 years. The park is an homage to the historic NASA-Kent connection: the lunar rovers used on the moon were designed, tested and built in Kent by Boeing. NASA’s lunar rovers, also known as moon buggies, were built in 1969 and last used during Apollo missions 15, 16 and 17. Three of these lunar rovers are still on the moon and are Washington State historic landmarks. (Fun fact: Washington is one of only three states in the country to have objects on the moon designated as historic landmarks.) Today, Kent is home to half the state’s jobs in the space sector.
Astronaut play
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that kids learn through play. And incorporating a little STEM into their playground is a smart and sneaky way to encourage a love of science. Take a seat in the life-size lunar rover and try out the control panel – the buttons and switches make sounds and light up. Several retired Boeing engineers who worked on the real lunar rover gave input on this replica.
Step up into the spacesuit and peek through the helmet for an astronaut’s eye view. The mission control panel is a zhushed-up version of a toddler’s busy board with all the bells and whistles. You can play a light-up game, or use the intercom to talk to your friends in the lunar lander — it really works!
A sign on the lunar lander says the play structure is designed for ages 5 to 12, and they’re not kidding. The interior is better suited for a toddler, maybe a very, very petite adult. (I didn’t try; it would have been embarrassing to get stuck.) A spongy rubber surface in the play area cushions falls. We love that it’s wheelchair and stroller friendly too.
Making space on Earth even more real
But wait, there’s more! The physical elements you see are only half the fun. A new Boeing-sponsored app, Space for Kidz, will let kids play with augmented reality features at Kherson Park using smartphones. The app goes live on May 20. When Seattle’s Child caught Wilmot on the phone, she was at Kherson Park with 20 little test pilots trying out the app. “I tried it myself. I was blown away,” Wilmot said, over a countdown and cheering in the background. “We think we’re the first park to offer augmented reality in a free place.”
Using the app, you can see the solar system at scale. Sitting on the lunar rover, you can see astronauts in the background taking rock samples. When you step up for a picture in the astronaut suit, you’ll be standing with fellow astronauts waving. On the lunar lander, you can plant a flag. And at mission control, you can launch a 16-foot rocket. Each time you go through the experience, you earn a virtual medal.
What parents should know about potty breaks and safety
We visited Kherson Park on a sunny weekend afternoon and found it hopping with kids (and their adults) excited to check out the new space playground. As with any city outing, use your common sense, be aware, and don’t leave your belongings laying around unattended. “The beauty of this is we’re just across the street from the police department,” Wilmot said. “Like every city around, there’s challenges with activities that are not necessarily what we want to be in our downtown spaces. But we’re right across the street from City Hall. This is well-lit. It’s busy.”
At the Kent Public Library a block away, we found out that the library restrooms are closed indefinitely for “health and safety reasons,” a staff member said, and we were directed to the public park restroom. If you visit during work hours, you can use the restrooms at City Hall across the street from Kherson Park.
See the FULL article by Seattle’s Child here.
If you go
- Kherson Park is located at 307 West Gowe Street, Kent
- Grand opening: May 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon
- The lineup for the grand opening celebration includes the mayor, the parks executive director, Boeing’s historian and some of the original lunar rover engineers. The “ribbon cutting” ceremony will actually be a rocket launch.