WonkyPlay in Action + Other Green Playhouse Ideas

by Maggie Flickinger

Amidst a set of sizzling summer days, the Colorado Green Building Guild Green Playhouse auction was a welcome relief with cooler temps and even a brief afternoon shower.  All the better for spending the afternoon outside, admiring the green playhouses and chatting with the architect + builder teams.

It was amazing to see our team’s contribution – the WonkyPlay – in action!  BW Construction did a phenomenal job bringing David’s concept sketch to life.  Kids stooped low under the top half of the dutch door, clambered up and down through the windows, and whooshed out the back via the slide.  The also admired the hand painted gecko on the door, and were curious about the rain chains and covered garden.  A few of them even found the secret “Hidey Hole” and fun stuff inside.  Parents asked lots of questions about the bright green upcycled carpet tubes that made up the upper half of WonkyPlay’s walls.

Our team was thrilled when WonkyPlay secured the highest bid in the live auction!  In the “People’s Choice” round, whoever bid the highest got to pick whichever playhouse they wanted: after a feverish bidding war, the victor, Grandma Linda chose WonkyPlay!  She wanted WonkyPlay to bring hours of fun to her grandchildren, and her daughter & son-in-law had just bought a home with a great yard in Niwot.  It was truly a special moment to see all of our work and love being rewarded by the huge smiles on the winning family’s faces!

But WonkyPlay certainly wasn’t alone in this adventure.  Many other playhouses from local architect + builder teams kept everyone entertained throughout the afternoon.  From charred trees to reusable shopping bags woven together with thrift store belts, the creative material use was inspiring.  Each playhouse was auctioned off to a loving family, raising over $12,000 total for the Growing Gardens.    

We so appreciated being a part of this incredible community effort along with so many other talented folks from the Boulder area.  And…our cogs are definitely spinning, devising more child-geared fun for next year!