Decatur County

Honoring History, Inspiring Play: The Slip Bluff Playground Project

The Slip Bluff Playground Project

Long before campsites and trails, this land was a place of movement, learning, and connection. Children learned through play. Stories were shared. The land itself was the teacher.

Today, Slip Bluff Campground has an aging playground that no longer reflects that spirit. While it once served families well, it does not honor the history of the land or offer the rich, imaginative play experiences children deserve.

The Slip Bluff Playground Project will renew this space, replacing the existing equipment with a Native American–inspired natural playground that respects the past while serving the next generation.

Built with natural textures, earth-toned colors, and forms inspired by traditional connections to land and water, the new playground will invite children to climb, balance, explore, and imagine. It will be a place where play is guided by nature—where curiosity is encouraged, and movement tells a story.

This playground will be more than equipment.
It will be a place to:

• Learn through play

• Connect to the land

• Carry stories forward

Every contribution helps transform an outdated play area into a space of respect, learning, and joy, welcoming families, campers, and school groups from across southern Iowa.

By supporting the Slip Bluff Playground Project, you help ensure this land continues to be a place where history is honored, play is meaningful, and future generations are welcomed.