Now open · Anchorage, Alaska

A place where every child belongs. plays. grows.

Alaska’s first inclusive outdoor play community — where children of all abilities can move, explore, and genuinely belong.

1st

Friendship Circle
chapter in Alaska

Inclusive play
zones

All

Ages & abilities
welcome

Our Story

Alaska's first Friendship Circle — built from the ground up.

Alaska Friendship Circle is the first chapter in the state, and one of the few in the country with a dedicated early childhood focus. We believe children thrive when given the chance to play alongside each other.

Everything here is designed so every child can participate naturally — without modification, without exception.

1st

Friendship Circle chapter in Alaska — and one of few nationwide with an early childhood focus

Distinct inclusive play zones, each designed for a different way to explore and connect

All

Ages, abilities, sensory needs, and family types — genuinely, not just in policy

2027

Indoor year-round play center planned — $1.1M raised of $2.5M goal

For Families

You deserve a space that gets it.

Every child experiences the world differently. Alaska Friendship Circle is built around that truth — not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of everything we do.

Accessible pathways and surfaces throughout
Sensory-friendly environments and quiet retreat areas
Collaborative play spaces that invite — not exclude
Family hours for exploring at your own pace
Volunteer-supported programming for extra connection
Community hours for schools and support programs

Explore the Play Center

Six spaces.
Endless ways to play.

Each zone gives children different ways to move, discover, create, and connect — with room for every ability, pace, and personality.

What We Believe

The values that make this place what it is.

Six commitments that aren’t words on a wall — they’re why every pathway, zone, and program is designed the way it is.

01 Belonging

Every child deserves to feel at home. We design for belonging first — everything else follows.

02 Inclusion by Design

Accessibility isn't a checkbox. Every pathway, zone, and program starts with every child in mind.

03 Community

Friendship grows between children, families, volunteers, and neighbors. This place is stronger because of everyone in it.

04 Play as Connection

Play is how children discover themselves, build confidence, and form the friendships that shape them.

05 Family First

Caregivers are part of this community too. We create space for parents and families to connect, rest, and feel supported.

06 Open to All

No matter how your child experiences the world, there is a place here for them — and for you. That is a promise.

Volunteers & Community

Every person who shows up makes this place what it is.

Friendship Circle is more than a playground. It’s a space where relationships grow — between children, families, volunteers, and the wider community.

From teens lending a hand to educators, therapists, artists, and neighbors — everyone who joins helps build the belonging at the heart of this place.

The Vision

This is just the beginning.

Our outdoor play center opened June 7, 2026. The vision goes further — a year-round indoor gathering space where Alaska families can connect through every season.

June 7, 2026

Outdoor Play Center Opened

Six inclusive zones, accessible pathways, sensory-friendly environments — open to all Alaska families.

Fall 2027

Indoor Year-Round Gathering Space

Inclusive indoor play, family gathering areas, sensory-friendly environments, and community programming through every Alaska season.

Support

Help build belonging.

Your gift helps create and sustain an inclusive space where every Alaska child can play, connect, and belong.

Become a partner

Want to bring your organization’s program to the play center, or explore a collaboration? Tell us about yourself and we’ll be in touch.

Organization name (optional)

Contact name*

Email*

Phone*

Which funding item would you like to sponsor? (optional)

Tell us about your organization*

Get Involved

Become part of the circle.

Volunteering will begin in Fall 2027.
Volunteers are the heart of Alaska Friendship Circle. Whether you have an hour or a whole season to give, there’s a place for you here.

Friendship Circle Volunteer

Name*

FirstLast

Email*

How would you like to help?

Tell Us about yourself *

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND LIABILITY WAIVER

The Alaska Friendship Circle provides unique opportunities for volunteers and participants to enrich each other's lives. In doing so, volunteers may encounter new and sometimes challenging situations. Therefore, volunteers certify and agree by signing below that they:

I understand that as a volunteer, I agree to be bound by the Rules and Regulations and Standards of Conduct of Alaska Friendship Circle and that I am a volunteer without payment or expectation of payment or reimbursement of expenses except when advised in writing prior to any such expenditure.
I understand that participation in Alaska Friendship Circle activities is entirely voluntary and requires volunteers to abide by applicable rules and standards of conduct.
I understand that participation in Alaska Friendship Circle activities involves a certain degree of risk and may be physically and emotionally demanding. I have considered the risks involved and have given consent as indicated below for my participation.
I will not use or possess any illegal drug, alcohol, or controlled substance at any time, including at Alaska Friendship Circle events or programs.
I will not bring any weapons, firearms, or other dangerous items to any Alaska Friendship Circle event.
I have not been convicted of a crime, other than minor traffic violations.
I do not have a history of violence, abuse, neglect, or misconduct of any kind.
I acknowledge the risk of injury from activities involved in Alaska Friendship Circle events and knowingly and freely assume all such risks. In the event I observe any particular hazard that I believe could cause injury to a participant, I will immediately inform Alaska Friendship Circle staff of such hazard.
I will not participate in any activity that I believe I cannot perform in accordance with Alaska Friendship Circle activity instructions or in a safe manner.
I understand that Alaska Friendship Circle expects me to behave responsibly. I agree to utilize my best judgment and sense of responsibility when spending time with the participant with whom I am matched.
I understand that the use of a cell phone during an Alaska Friendship Circle event does not promote a healthy friendship and should only be used in case of emergency.
I agree to respect the privacy of all participants of Alaska Friendship Circle and to keep personal information confidential.
I understand that once I commit to attend an event, Alaska Friendship Circle staff and participants expect me to be there. I agree to attend and give it my best effort.
If someone gets hurt or some other incident occurs while I am participating or volunteering, it is my responsibility to immediately report the occurrence to Alaska Friendship Circle staff.
I understand the importance of open communication and will try my best to maintain it by ensuring that, if an Alaska Friendship Circle staff member contacts me, I will make every reasonable effort to respond within 24 hours.
I agree that Alaska Friendship Circle, The Alaska Jewish Campus, their respective directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, affiliates, sponsors, and representatives shall not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, theft, damage, or expense incurred by me or my property arising out of or relating to participation in any Alaska Friendship Circle activity, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law.
I knowingly and voluntarily release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless Alaska Friendship Circle, The Alaska Jewish Campus, and their respective directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, affiliates, sponsors, and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, damages, costs, or expenses arising from or related to participation in Alaska Friendship Circle programs and activities, including transportation, home visits, community outings, recreational activities, and special events.
I understand and acknowledge that Alaska Friendship Circle is an independently owned, operated, and controlled local nonprofit organization.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.

I have carefully read and agree to abide by and be bound by all additional rules and policies of Alaska Friendship Circle and any additional rules applicable to specific events. *

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.I UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES MAY, IN THE SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION OF ALASKA FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE, RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF MY VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION.