Eli Hart Memorial Playground in Mound, MN
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About Eli Hart
Eli Hart was a kindergartener at Shirley Hills in Mound, MN. He loved to laugh and play on playgrounds with his friends and family. He loved his Dad and foster family.
In December 2021 the courts awarded custody of Eli back to his unstable mother, despite objections by Eli’s family and foster family.
In May 2022, Eli was brutally murdered by his own mother—he was six years old.
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Eli's Playground
We want Eli to be remembered for the boy he was, not the way he died. With the blessing of his family, we are raising money to build a playground in Eli’s name.
This will help our community heal.
The playground will be inclusive and a place all kids and families can enjoy. It will most definitely have monkey bars, Eli’s favorite.
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Child Safety
After Eli’s playground is built, we will turn our focus to creating awareness and change for children suffering from domestic violence.
The system is broken.
NO child should lose their life at the hands of a parent.
NEW! Eli Hart Playground Swag
100% of Profits Go to the Playground!
How to Donate
There are several ways to donate!
Donate by credit card or ACH transfer securely through Paypal
Donate by Check
Make the check out to “Eli Hart Foundation” and send to:
Eli Hart Foundation
4280 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384Donate by Venmo and send to @Elihartfoundation
How You Can Help
We have a lot of money left to raise! Here are ways you can help:
Playground Equipment Sponsorships
If you (or your company/organization) are interested in sponsoring a piece of the playground, please view our sponsorship options. You will have the opportunity to have a plaque on the equipment with your name and/or logo.
Bench Sponsorships/Memorials
If you’d like to sponsor one of the benches placed around the playground, the cost is $3,000 and includes a plate that can be engraved with the message of your choice. Please contact Tiffany Beitler if interested.
Current Status
501(c)3 - It’s Official!
We are officially a 501(c)3 nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible.
The Playground
Midwest Playscapes is graciously providing the playground equipment at cost (thank you!). We have worked with the City of Mound to finalize the playground elements, size, shape, etc. Now we just need to raise the rest of the money.
Playground Rendering
Midwest Playscapes is graciously providing the playground equipment at a large discount. We have been working with them to honor the previous work done by the Mound Parks Commission as well as Eli’s family’s preferences.
What’s Happening
Meet Eli
Eli had a giant toothless smile and was always full of giggles.
His favorite colors were green and gold.
He wanted to be a firefighter and a Dad when he grew up.
Eli and his dad loved playing with cars, building things, doing art, reading books and watching movies but what they loved the most was their time outside.
He loved playgrounds. Going to parks was something he did with his Dad and Dad’s fiancé all the time and they say that those are some of the memories they hold close.
We Need Your Help
Whether you volunteer to help us fundraise and plan events, help us build the playground or make a monetary donation, we need your help to get this playground built.