This isn’t your typical indoor playground.
That’s really the whole point.
Our story
Michael Brunner & Vanessa Roddam are the Founders of One River Zen, a Zen Buddhist Temple in Ottawa, IL launched in 2022. They are also the parents of David, the name behind David’s Clubhouse.
In the summer of 2025, Vanessa dreamed up the concept of One River Zen launching an indoor play space. A career market researcher, she researched and confirmed that there were no gross motor indoor play places for kids within 30+ miles of Ottawa, no play spaces designed with autism-inclusion in mind, and too little support in the area for families and caregivers of autistic children. David’s Clubhouse could be One River Zen’s contribution to helping solve these challenges. The dream was meant to be as One River Zen soon purchased the historic Times building in downtown Ottawa, and opened the doors to David’s Clubhouse in early 2026.
When not at the Clubhouse, Michael is busy with his Abbot and priestly duties, Vanessa is working from home as a Consumer Insights professional or is cooking for a meditation retreat, and David is listening to music, playing in the backyard, or reading books.
What’s Zen got to do with it?
One River Zen will bring meditation programs to the Times building by late 2026, and fully transition retreats and classes in 2027. As unusual as it is to have a meditation center in the same building as a kids’ playground, it’s actually the whole point. Here, everything belongs: quiet and loud, young and old, stillness and play!
Coming soon!
Stay tuned as we turn an ancient printing press room into a meditation hall!
