After many months of work, and more than a week of construction, Layton’s Playground is now finished and open!
On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, the community came together for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony that marks the end of a long journey. This project represents both the 74th and 75th playgrounds built by Where Angel’s Play. It is also the biggest project they have ever built. Their volunteer crew did an amazing job of completing this technically challenging build during some of the hottest and smokiest weather we’ve experienced in Bozeman all summer.
There are many people, groups, and businesses to thank for making this project a reality. We’d like to recognize the following contributors and express our gratitude.
- The Smith Family – thank you for trusting us with this project and sharing Layton with the community
- The Monforton Staff, Administration, and School Board – thank you for helping guide this process along through the many hoops, twists, and turns.
- The 80+ families that donated anything from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars through Gallatin Valley Give Big – Thank you for quickly stepping up to help us reach our fundraising goal
- Knife River – thank you for donating ALL of our gravel/sub-grade materials and hauling them to our build site. This truly saved the project.
- Kenyon Noble Ready Mix – thank you for donating ALL of our concrete for the project, including the hauling and pumping. This truly saved the project.
- Our Construction Team – thank you for helping plan out the build and completing the site preparation work
- 45 Architecture
- TD&H Engineering
- Hulteng Construction Management Consultants
- Paradigm Contractors
- Where Angels Play Foundation
- Thank you to Bill & Kathy for being amazing partners and leaders on this project
- Thank you to the 80+ volunteers who traveled to Bozeman at their own expense to come and work on this project
- Thank you to the Cancro Family for introducing this amazing organization to the school
- Thank you to some amazing community businesses for donating time, equipment and materials so that we could complete this huge build
- Langlas Construction – Thank you for donating all of the big lifting equipment necessary for this large build
- Rivers Landscaping – Thank you for helping us unload our material trucks AND donating all of our top soil for our grass restoration
- DC Construction – Thank you for helping us unload our material trucks and for the loan of your lifting equipment.
- Martel Construction – Thank you to their volunteer crews for coming in to tackle the surface re-grading , restoration, and sod installation.
- Thank you to the many businesses that donated space, food, and drinks to help support or Where Angel’s Play volunteers.
- The Farmhouse Event Center – Thank you for donating your spaces for both our volunteer welcome dinner and for housing our some of our volunteers for the week
- Orders UP Delivery – Thank you for donating all of the food for our volunteer welcome dinner AND for supplying us with boxed lunches at cost
- Korner Klub – Thank you for donating refreshments for our volunteer welcome dinner
- Daniels Gourmet Meats & Sausages – Thank you for donating all of the hamburger and sausages for our ribbon cutting BBQ
- The Chalet Market – Thank you for donating your elk/bison sticks for our volunteers. This gave them a true taste of the area.
- Community Food Co-op – Thank you for donating snacks and drinks to keep our volunteers going on those hot construction days.
- Cardinal Distributing – Thank you for donating a truckload full of waters and drinks. With the 90 degree heat, this made a huge difference.
- Dry Hills Distillery – Thank you for hosting our volunteer group and making them feel at welcome and appreciated.
- Central Valley Fire District – Thank you for sending some crew to help with the build AND bringing your 100′ ladder truck and American flag to the dedication ceremony
- Thank you to our local coordinators, hosts, and guides who all volunteered days of their time to this project.
- Andrew Rowse
- Nate Bashkirew
- Rob Cancro
- Kendra Robinson
- Chris Leach
Dedication Ceremony
Dedication Day Photos
