Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

Updates will help make playground visits safe, memorable

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By Hallie Kutch, Marketing Staff Assistant

When nostalgia and childhood memories stir, what comes to mind?

For many of us, it’s sometimes a playground where we once spent countless hours climbing the equipment or running circles in an open field. Those playgrounds allowed our imaginations to take us anywhere.

The classic yellow slides and chain-link swings have been favored features in just about every park in the country. Playgrounds provide the ultimate place for children to explore, exercise and develop their creative and social skills. These memorable experiences are integral to developing young minds and bodies, so it’s vital for us to continue providing, safe, play-friendly spaces.

Improvements are on the way

The City of College Station values the benefits and importance of playgrounds. In September, the College Station City Council unanimously approved more than $600,000 for improvements and repairs to play areas in 15 city parks. Construction began in October and is expected to be finished by early 2017.

An essential element for a safe play space is the playground’s surface or foundation. Eco-friendly, durable rubber surfacing will be installed near swings and other play areas, and new play units, swing sets, and exercise equipment will be added. The changes and updates will enhance safety and help prevent injuries.

Here’s a list of the major updates:

  • CASTLEGATE: Removal of pea gravel from swing area, installation of new rubber surfacing, the addition of swings and chains, and painting of existing swing set.
  • CASTLEROCK: Removal of pea gravel from swing area, installation of new rubber surfacing, the addition of new swings and chains, and painting of existing swing set.
  • EDELWEISS: New swings and the addition of rubber surfacing.
  • GEORGIE K. FITCH: New play units and the addition of rubber surfacing.
  • JACK & DOROTHY MILLER: New surfacing for the walking path.
  • LINCOLN RECREATION CENTER: New swings and replacement of surfacing in swing area.
  • LIONS: New play units and the addition of rubber surfacing.
  • OAKS: New play unit and relocation of existing rubber surfacing.
  • SANDSTONE: New fitness equipment.
  • SOUTHERN OAKS: New swings and replacement of surfacing in swing area.
  • STEEPLECHASE: New swing set and the addition of rubber surfacing.
  • STEPHEN C. BEACHY CENTRAL: New play unit and addition of rubber surfacing.
  • THOMAS: New fitness equipment
  • UNIVERSITY: Removal of pea gravel in swing area, installation of a new swing set and rubber surfacing.
  • WOODCREEK: New play unit and addition of rubber surfacing.

The City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department offers 34 parks featuring play units for your kids to explore, enjoy, and make fond childhood memories they’ll carry the rest of their lives.

We invite you to share your experiences in our parks on Twitter with the hashtag #CSTXparks.

 

312d2ecAbout the Author

Hallie Kutch is in her second year as marketing staff assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department after graduating from Texas A&M in 2014 with a degree in sports management and a minor in tourism research management. She has previously worked with the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer team and Texas Team Junior Golf. Originally from White Oak, Hallie also attended Kilgore College and was a member of the famed Kilgore Rangerettes dance team.

 

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City of College Station

2 thoughts on “Updates will help make playground visits safe, memorable”

  1. Are any of the parks safe for children in wheelchairs or other physical handicaps?Thank you! Leonette Toone

    From: City of College Station To: leonette.toone@sbcglobal.net Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 3:18 PM Subject: [New post] Updates will help make playground visits safe, memorable #yiv8447450391 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8447450391 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8447450391 a.yiv8447450391primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8447450391 a.yiv8447450391primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8447450391 a.yiv8447450391primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8447450391 a.yiv8447450391primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8447450391 WordPress.com | City of College Station posted: “By Hallie Kutch, Marketing Staff AssistantWhen nostalgia and childhood memories stir, what comes to mind?For many of us, it’s sometimes a playground where you once spent countless hours climbing the equipment or running circles in an open fiel” | |

    1. Thank you for the question. All of our playgrounds are accessible and safe, but your question seems to be more about playgrounds designed specifically for inclusive play. That’s where the Fun for All Playground project comes in. It will be the first playground area in College Station designed specifically with accessibility for all in mind. Depending on fundraising, we hope to have the design plans complete by January with construction beginning next summer.

      This link provides more information: Fun for All Playground