Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Tot Lot officially opens

If you have been in Bryan Park lately, you have doubtless noticed the new Tot Lot playground in the northwest corner of the park. Maybe you noticed a child in a spinning cup, or manipulating the backhoe diggers, getting a push on the swing, or climbing on the play house. But if you were there on Tuesday morning, June 10, you would have also seen Mayor Mark Kruzan, District 5 City Council Member Isabel Piedmont, and BPNA president Jan Sorby.

At the formal opening ceremony of this playground, designed for children ages 5 and under, Mayor Kruzan said that the city spent $135,000 on the equipment, which includes rubber safety surfacing, new fencing, a shaded seating area with tables, benches, and drinking fountain in addition to numerous pieces of play equipment. The entrance to the area is through a gate designed by local artist Joe LaMantia and produced in partnership with Stone Belt. The Parks and Recreation Department handled the installation.

The neighborhood’s city council representative, Isabel Piedmont, spoke of the positive impact that parks like this have on the imagination and physical development of children. On behalf of the neighborhood, Jan Sorby thanked the City and Parks and Rec for enhancing “the jewel in our crown,” Bryan Park.

“We want to thank the City also for including the ideas and desires of the adjacent neighborhoods into the planning process. As parents are challenged with rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other health issues among our children, this park offers space for children to start the healthy habit of exercise and play,” Sorby said.

“We are fortunate that our Bloomington parks are more than just a little country in the city; they provide a multitude of benefits for a variety of uses. The Bryan Park neighbors appreciate the hard work that goes in to balancing passive and active natural and constructed areas of the park. We know much thought and consideration went into choosing each piece of equipment on this playground.”

Source: BPNA Newsletter, June 2008

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