Kid Mountain Playground is an inclusive playground in Burnsville, North Carolina, situated beside the Yancey County Public Library with sweeping views of Mount Mitchell. When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina and left Yancey County without a single playground, this site — already in development and spared by the storm — became a place where families returned to find joy. Today it draws visitors from surrounding counties with accessible equipment, outdoor musical instruments and a setting that connects play with the community next door.

On any given afternoon in Burnsville, North Carolina, you'll find families gathered at Kid Mountain Playground. Nestled beside the Yancey County Public Library with sweeping views of Mount Mitchell on the horizon, this inclusive playspace is a destination that draws visitors from surrounding counties. It's a place where kids climb, soar and find their favorite spot to read a book from next door — where playdates meet and neighbors reconnect.

The timing of Kid Mountain's completion carried unexpected weight. When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, it devastated parks and recreation facilities across the region — leaving Yancey County without a single playground. This site, already in development, happened to sit in one of the few areas the storm spared. "We're very proud of the fact that we were resilient enough, resourceful enough and responsible enough to continue this project," says Jeff Whitson, chairman of the Yancey County Commissioners.

For Morgan West, the county's project manager, the urgency was personal. "We had nothing for the kids," she recalls. "It was very important to get this done and have somewhere for everyone to gather and play and bring things back to life and have some joy." After months of hardship, it was finally a chance to get back to unburdened play.

That sense of joy is designed into every corner. A Nucleus Evolution^® structure serves as an eye-catching central point of the playspace, offering climbing challenges and discovery for a range of ages and abilities. Nearby, an AirVenture^® Glider lets kids take flight against the mountain backdrop — the kind of thrill that earns a second and third trip through the line. Cirrus^® Swings invite side-by-side motion, while Sensory Rails and PlayEnsemble^® outdoor musical instruments encourage touching, listening and creating together.

But there's more here than climbing and soaring. ShadePlay^® Max structures and Novo^® Playful Furniture give families a reason to stay — comfortable spots to watch the action, share a snack, read or simply take in the view. The playground's location beside the library isn't incidental; it's intentional. "A lot of people gather here anyway," West explains, "whether that's the homeschool group or just someone coming to have a quiet time to read a book here next to the park." Quiet areas throughout the playspace support exactly that — spaces where a chapter book feels just as welcome as a climbing adventure.

What Kid Mountain has become extends beyond equipment and surfacing. "There's unity here," Whitson reflects. "There is a sense of community. And it shows that there's a care for our younger generation." For a county still finding its footing after the storm, this playground offers something essential: a place where joy isn't borrowed or temporary, but built to last.

Kid Mountain Playground — named 2025 Playground that Moved Us as the most impactful project of the year by Burke — was designed in partnership with Barrs Recreation, the exclusive Burke representative partner for North Carolina and South Carolina.

Ready to bring a playground like this to your community? Find your representative to get started.