PLAYTickleberry Place, a mobile PLAY, EXPLORE and LEARN pop-up
Tickleberry Place is a mobile, PLAY, EXPLORE and LEARN pop-up serving South Los Angeles where children can have fun while learning about sustainability, healthy habits and eco-conscious living.
Please describe your project proposal.
Tickleberry Place is committed to teaching children and families about choosing healthy lifestyles through active PLAY, EXPLORATION and LEARNING. We are expanding and improving our mobile pop-up events by making them even more fun, accessible and engaging. Our goal is to host a monthly event that will include hands-on gardening activities, arts and crafts, a unique play apparatus and feature healthy food and drink.
Which of the PLAY metrics will your proposal impact?
Access to open space and park facilities
Number (and quality) of informal spaces for play
Number of children enrolled in afterschool programs
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
Central LA
South LA
Describe in greater detail how your proposal will make LA the best place to PLAY?
Our project will make LA the best place to PLAY because we’re committed to bringing healthy play environments to South Los Angeles. Tickleberry Place is currently in the process of securing its first brick-and-mortar location. But in the meantime, our monthly mobile pop-up play events will be an introduction to our indoor play concepts and activities. We hope to build an avid following in the community, engage area businesses that advocate eco-conscious living and to generate buzz and excitement for our pop-up play events.
Our program features both play and learning activities that will teach children how to be healthy and environmentally conscious through exercise, recycling, eating healthy and water conservation. Our pop-up play events will be held monthly at local parks, community centers and open spaces available for usage. We are also working in conjunction with local elementary schools to provide pop-up programs as an after school activity. Being mobile allows us to bring the FUN to you and your neighborhood.
Tickleberry Place pop-up play events will create impact in our community by encouraging families to PLAY, EXPLORE and LEARN alongside their children as well as interact with other eco-conscious families and businesses. The best way to affect change from a grass roots level is through organic growth. The more children and families exposed to the virtues of Tickleberry Place will help foster this growth, which will ultimately assist us in promoting our brick-and-mortar site.
Tickleberry Place remains committed to children having fun in a safe and positive environment. Whereas learning about sustainability or water conservation may not be at the forefront of any child’s mind, we will encourage participation and EXPLORATION through fun and exciting activities. Gardening or planting seedlings and tracking its growth are activities we have incorporated. Seasonal activities revolving around the holidays or special events are other fun ways to help children LEARN.
PLAY remains the primary focus for Tickleberry Place and we will provide unique toys, activities and play structures that stimulate imagination and expression. Building life-size fortresses or castles, dressing-up and face painting, pumpkin decorating or crafting Valentine’s Day cards dedicated to the environment are but a few of the planned activities for our monthly pop-up events.
We envision Tickleberry Place becoming a beacon in the community, drawing children and families together who are looking for a safe and FUN play environment that offers much more than just supervised free play. Our monthly mobile pop-up play events will be the perfect vehicle to establish our community roots and to help spread the seeds for continued growth.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
a. An increase in attendees to our pop-up events. Through our marketing efforts, we will increase attendance at our events and develop a loyal following for future events.
b. An increase in community engagement/support. Our branded outreach programs will communicate our goals to the community. We envision a large, diverse and dedicated group of supporters and advocates.
c. An increase in the number of business partnerships/collaborations. Partnering with like-minded local businesses is a win-win proposition for all. Cross-promotion and collaborations will increase visibility and business opportunities.
d. An increase in the number of school and after-school programs. Developing programs specific to a school’s needs will foster growth while exposing both teachers and students to the virtues of Tickleberry Place.
e. An increase in followers on social media. Again, through our marketing efforts, we will increase the number of active and engaging followers on social media through consistent and informative dialogue.
f. An increase in opt-in email addresses. We will implement email address captures at every pop-up event or activity. With these opt-in records, we can target our audience and provide updates, information and news about Tickleberry Place.
g. Business profits. Turning our events into profitable enterprises will allow us to re-invest. With better organization, planning and marketing strategy, we can lower costs while exceeding expectations.
How can the LA2050 community and other stakeholders help your proposal succeed?
Money
Volunteers
Publicity/awareness
Infrastructure (building/space/vehicles etc.)
Community outreach