Kids of all ages love playgrounds - fueling their imagination, releasing pent-up energy, creating new adventures, increasing social skills, and trying out new ideas. Playing improves cognitive function, increases self-confidence, lowers stress, and is just plan FUN!
According to the Mayo Clinic, play strengthens bones, muscles, lungs and the heart, and can help reduce obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. It’s also important for their emotional and mental development.
A playground allows parents to spend positive time with their children or simply sit in sun or under a tree while watching their children develop mind and body skills sets. A child always loves it when Mommy or Daddy says, “Good Job!”
When beginning, the Delaware County Planning Department gathered feedback from county residents on the draft designs and concepts in October 2021. Changes were made to the design utilizing suggestions and comments from the public including increased accessibility and inclusivity.
The playground has different areas for different age groups:
- It includes a large climbing tower for children ages 5 to 12.
- There's a swing zone, a spinning zone, and an area for children ages 2-5.
Other park features include:
- An expansion of the pedestrian mall which provides an improved setting for festivals and special events.
- New walkways connect the Amphitheater and rear parking lot.
- New landscaping and stormwater management.
“The County’s capital improvement program includes $9M for parks, trails and open space projects - including this one,“ said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided a grant in the amount of $200,000 to support the design and construction of the new playground.
Playground equipment was provided and installed by Kompan, a national leader in playground design and the general site construction was by Foresite Concepts Inc. in Newtown Square.
Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Works have all worked diligently to ensure a safe playground system that residents of all ages can enjoy.