Who We Are

Formed in 2007, the Grant Playground and Recreation Association, Inc. (GPRA) is dedicated to the maintenance and upgrade of Kidtopia Playground in Grant., AL and the continued development of the park and recreation facilities of Grant. The GPRA is a 501(c)(3) and is not affiliated with the Town of Grant.

In 2023 we changed our name to Kidtopia Playground Association, Inc. to eliminate confusion that we are affiliated with the Town of Grant at the request of the Town Council. 

 

The Beginning

Dan Robinson was the driving force behind the formation of the GPRA in 2007, and thus the funding and construction of Kidtopia playground. Our biggest annual fundraiser, the Dan Robinson Memorial Run, is named in his honor

Dan was born in California and played football for Cal Poly. He worked for Lockheed Martin and in 1990 transferred to Alabama and subsequently moved to Grant in 1998.  After moving to Grant, Dan founded the Grant Baseball and Softball Association, an organization that he was active in for more than 15 years and served several terms as its president.  Dan was also active as a coach and coached his daughter Catherine all the way from rec league to high school, having become a volunteer assistant coach at DAR High School.

Dan was the father of 6 children and was the project manager for the 2015-2016 revitalization of the DAR baseball and softball fields. Sadly, he passed away in 2016 due to complications following shoulder surgery. 

2019

Jason Hodges

During a visit to Kidtopia, Jason observed its deteriorating condition and became determined that the playground would continue to be around for his kids and upcoming generations. Jason, along with original board member Melinda Dixon, recruited a new generation of volunteers and began a campaign to refurbish the playground through a series of fundraisers, including the Dan Robinson Memorial Run.

2023

Teamwork

The Kidtopia board and the Town of Grant joined together to get a lot of work done! A new slide to replace a broken one, new climbing wall, lots of new wood to replace parts that were rotten, repaired monkey rings,  new mulch and border and a fresh coat of paint!

The Future

We are currently fundraising for an expansion that will provide additional play area and structures that are fully wheelchair accessible and pour in place ground cover! This expansion allows us to serve all members of the community regardless of physical limitations and will ensure a safe play area if parts of the existing playground need to be closed for repair or renovation.

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