New Playground Reflects the Spirit & History of the Bluff
Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites held the official ribbon cutting for its new, innovative children’s playscape last Thursday, November 7th. The ceremony was well-attended by sites staff and volunteers, members of the sites’ Friends organization, and families from across the Fayette County community. Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Joseph Bell, County Judge Dan Mueller, and La Grange Mayor Jan Dockery were also present to celebrate the playground’s completion and grand opening.
The new playground, an outdoor interactive exhibit, provides an engaging and educational way for families to explore the stories of the Kreische family and Monument Hill. Located within a stone’s throw of its historic inspiration, the playscape is uniquely designed to foster a deeper connection to the local heritage while offering handson fun for children of all ages.
“This space, designed with children’s learning in mind, will act as an incredible resource to engage with history, enjoy the benefits of outdoor play, and make long lasting memories at the sites,” says Texas Historical Commission Exudative Director Joseph Bell. “It also provides an incredible opportunity for multigenerational connections to local and state heritage.”
The playscape has been two years in the making, with conceptual collaborations between sites staff and sculptor Chris Levack. Based on the unique legacy of Heinrich Kreische and the revered prominence of Monument Hill, Levack constructed elements within the playground to reflect the spirit of the bluff as well as the cultural and natural landscape of the surrounding community. “The unique and rich history of this location inspired the design of this outdoor classroom,” says Levack. “Every element in this project gives kids the chance to connect with Texas history through active play and tactile components.”
The completed project features a pathway in the shape of the Colorado River and embedded with metal sculptures of the local aquatic life. A large wooden map highlights Texas geography while a lookout tower reflects the prominence of the Bluff over the Colorado River. To experience the legacy of Kreische’s entrepreneurial and stonemasonry skills, children can pull goods across the river on Kreische’s cable ferry and help construct the walls of a house with specially constructed blocks. Inspired by the sites’ archeological excavations, children can use archeological tools to uncover reproduction artifacts in the playground’s purpose-built sandbox.
Community members, sites staff, architects, archeologists, artists, and many more collaborated to make this playground possible. The project was supported through Friends fundraising events like Trail of Lights and Bluff SchuetzenFest as well as generous gifts from the Greater Fayette Community Foundation, Second Chance Emporium, the Summerlee Foundation, Bill and Denice Fisher, Rodney and Mary Koenig, Dixon and Mary Lou McNair, the Epstein Family, and Katie and Cyrus Bahrami in honor of long-time volunteer Mildred Todd.
The new playground is now open daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Access is included with admission to the state historic sites. Families and community members who wish to enjoy regular access to the playscape may want to consider Friends Membership. Memberships are sold at the sites’ visitors center and online at www. friendsofkbmh.org.