Our Story, Our Space

Play Frontier was born in 2018 with a simple but powerful mission: conserving childhood through acceptance, education, and empowerment of children and families. We opened our doors in April 2019 on the grounds of the historic Wind River Nursery — a place where the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is our backyard and nature has always been part of the curriculum.

For seven years, we've served infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in this remarkable place. Hemlock Commons is how we grow that mission — expanding our reach to school-age children and the broader community through a common and creative space.

A Little History

The building that will become Hemlock Commons has roots deep in the land itself. Once used to process Douglas fir cones for the region's reforestation efforts, this space has long been part of the story of growth and stewardship in Skamania County. Now, it's being transformed into something new — a place where children and community grow.

What We're Building

Play Frontier has been awarded funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Early Learning Facilities Program to transform an existing structure on Hemlock Road into Hemlock Commons. This dedicated school-age early learning center includes:

• ADA-accessible design throughout

• A school-age childcare classroom and bathroom

• A safe, welcoming new entryway with security features

• Updated HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and interior finishes

• Office Spaces

• Exterior upgrades, playground structures, and fencing

• Art Studio

• A fully operational commercial kitchen —The commercial kitchen at Hemlock Commons is something we're especially proud of. It will serve our own programs — providing fresh, prepared food for the children in our care — and open its doors as a shared community resource for food entrepreneurs, caterers, events, and future programming. It's the first rentable commercial kitchen space in Skamania County, and we can't wait to see what our community builds with it.
  
  Hemlock Commons will be home to expanded childcare, community programs, and our new Elementary Enrichment Program launching Fall 2026.