In August, the Village of East Palestine took a bold and refreshing approach to designing the future playground – by letting kids take the lead. Thirty-three children, ages 3 to 14, gathered at the East Palestine Community Center for the “Rainbow Dreamland Kids Think Tank,” a creative workshop
designed to capture the imagination and priorities of the very people who will use the new playground most.
The event was organized and led by Lenny Glavan and Melinda Crist, who recognize that playgrounds are more than just slides and swings – they are places where imagination, friendships and movement come alive. By engaging children directly, the village ensured the design reflects genuine play experiences, not just adult assumptions. The Think Tank also gave young residents a sense of ownership and pride,
connecting them to the project from the start.
The day began with a discussion about the history of Rainbow Dreamland and why their ideas mattered. Kids shared what they liked about the old playground – slides, the fire pole, monkey bars, tire swings, shaded hide-and-seek spots – and what they didn’t, including splinter-causing mulch, overly hot
slides and broken features left unrepaired.
Next, they explored themed design stations, imagining what the best playground in the region could look like. The top choice was a Nature Theme, with forest elements, trees and natural textures. Castles and whimsical fantasy zones were close behind, with many imagining “adventure-to-adventure”
layouts connecting multiple themed areas.
When it came to equipment, the requests were clear: a threetiered zip line, a jumping pillow and a large group swing topped the list. Kids also wanted interactive features like musical drums, sensory panels, tunnels and inclusive swings for all abilities. Comfort was important too – shade structures, bright
colors and continuous play flow were must-haves.
Additional ideas included treehouses, a Victory Wall challenge, glow-in-the-dark pathways, in-ground trampolines and mushroom hop paths. The group also created a “No” list, ruling out hot metal slides, unsafe materials, confusing layouts and excessive mulch.
The kid’s ideas will be shared with designers and engineers who will help shape the playground’s final design. The Think Tank proved that when children are invited to share their vision, they bring creativity, practicality and a big-picture perspective that can inspire the whole community.