After nearly two years making a brand new, $100,000 natural playground, the Boothbay Region YMCA’s Harbor Montessori and Child Enrichment Center cut the ribbon on it Sept. 8. Over two dozen people attended the brief ceremony that included light refreshments. Attendees included YMCA board members, and most importantly, the children who will benefit the most. The brainchild of YMCA facilities director Rose Mooney, the playground was designed by local architect Bill Joyce of Carson Douglas landscape architects and mirrors the educational philosophy of the Montessori program.

“The natural elements encourage imagination,” said Joyce, a California native who recently moved to the area. “Playgrounds had reached a point where they were too plastic.”

Joyce and his daughter Lily had the honor of cutting the ribbon. The pair represent what the YMCA hopes to attract to the area — young families willing to relocate and put their energy into an older community. The project was made possible entirely through private donations.

Big contributors included the Baldwin family, the A R and Marylouise Tandy Foundation, and the Leach Trust, said Mooney.

The space is a considerable upgrade over the previous playground and can accommodate up to 35 children. Now in its fourth year, the Montessori school has been a big success. Currently there is a waiting list and enrollment has been capped at 20. To create the space, Joyce drew upon his considerable experience to make the playground ecologically friendly but still fun. 

“The  existing collection of cedar play features was replaced with a natural, creative learning space that supports our philosophy, which is that children learn through independent play and the teacher’s role is to foster the natural creativity, curiosity and adventurous nature in all children,” Mooney said in a previous interview. “In addition to play spaces, the playground will feature beds for gardening and a picnic area so that our teachers can utilize the gardens as an outdoor classroom.

In her remarks to the crowd, Mooney indicated there would hopefully be a phase 2 for the playground, to include a small amphitheater and additional classroom space. 

“It was a community effort and we have a lot of people to thank,” said Mooney.