DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is raising funds to create an accessible playground on the fairgrounds.

Fun Forest sits at the Iowa State Fairgrounds next to the Agriculture Building, where the iconic butter cow sculpture is kept every year. Next year, the park will have a new look and a new name. It’ll be called the Variety Star Playground.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation partnered with Variety – the Children’s Charity to upgrade the playground for the first time in 20 years. They will create an accessible playground for all children to use year-round.

“We want everyone to feel welcomed at the Iowa State Fair, not only for the 11 days of the fair, but all other times of the year as well,” said Peter Cownie, the Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

The new playground will have an agriculture theme, but just because change is coming doesn’t mean everything is going away.

“The train stays. We’re not touching the train. People love that train. My own kids play on that train and you know, the train is going to stay and it is going to complement the new playground very well,” said Cownie.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is raising $300,000 for the $700,000 project. Variety will cover the remaining cost. So far, the foundation raised over $200,000. Click here to donate.

The new park will be available at the start of the 2025 Iowa State Fair.