Park Hill Adventure is a hidden gem in the Park Hill community, having served families since 1997.

 

Families find their way to PHA for a number of reasons - the environment is an intimate space for children and their parents, is esthetically enchanting with a loft that has been built from small tree trunks harvested from the Kenosha Pass area, and has been the site for the Polar Express Excursion, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and engineer, and an “ALL ABOARD”!! There is a “to die for” for children’s bathroom with a tree in the corner, a floor that looks like pebbles, a sink that is supported with with more tree trunks, and Charlotte the Spider that came and stayed after the reading of “Charlotte’s Web”. There is also an area in our space that the children have dubbed the “cat walk”, which is a raised platform also made from those small tree trunks and allows the children to look out a west falling window which has a view of the foothills and enables them to observe the birds feasting on fall berries. This has also been the stage for performances and numerous science experiments - “how far can a paper airplane fly”. For cozy reading there are three theater seats, complements of the old Buell Theater which is now the Tattered Cover Book Store. There is a hallway that during one Halloween celebration was turned into a bat cave and with flashlights these bats did fly!! It has also been a tropical rainforest with monkeys, twisting vines, snakes, a true rainforest … and on a cold winter day this hallway has become a bowling alley.

 

The heart of PHA is our art room. This is an all-purpose room that has witnessed many budding artists, published writers, engineers, scientists, thinkers, and enthusiastic readers. Our art room also serves as the hub of fine dining with lots of stirring, sifting, tasting, and experimenting … which is a necessity for fine dining. Years ago families decided that they would prefer having their children bring their own lunch and morning snack. We tried this and all were pleased with the change. Many a child has walked in the door to announce “Guess what I have for my lunch today”! As a result we have had children bring dried seaweed, calamari, tasty burritos, fried rice - a varied assortment of cuisine.

 

Our outdoor space is also a hub of activity - trees to climb, a small stream in which to wade, a structure that the children years ago named the Fire Lookout Station that also gives a view of the foothills. There are bikes to ride, huge blocks with which to build and when it is hot, an area that has been dubbed “Lake Louise” - perfect for swim suits, buckets, and lots of splashing!

 

The question: Why Park Hill Adventure?

 

Over the years and with lots of experience with children, we know that children learn as children should - in a natural, fun-filled, and stimulating environment where skills that prepare our children for the next step are mastered.

 

Park Hill Adventure is also a community for the parents which is why many families have chosen PHA over the years. There have been many relationships that have endured beyond their time at PHA. It has been priceless to know siblings, grandparents, and in some cases aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 

Because of Covid-19 and the caring for an elderly parent, it was necessary to PHA to close until recently. Now we are inviting children and their parents to come and experience what Park Hill Adventure has to offer.