The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), MPRB President Liz Wielinski and community members celebrated the grand opening of the new playground at Dickman Park on Thursday, September 25.
The event featured a ribbon cutting, activities for kids and remarks from President Wielinski, MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller, and Chair Peter Gamades and Chris Linde of the St. Anthony West Neighborhood Organization (STAWNO).
“I am thrilled to be here celebrating this beautiful new playground at Dickman Park,” said President Wielinski. “This play area is going to be heavily used by families in the community given the high attendance numbers for picnics, outdoor movies and all the fun events here at the park. I am very happy that we now have safe and accessible play equipment like this to meet the needs of the growing youth population in this neighborhood.”
Playground improvements feature two new play structures specially designed for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, including a shade umbrella, a variety of swings and a playground surface that is fully accessible. Sand play is provided in a separate circular container formerly used for tether ball. Two benches and a picnic table have been added for parents. The playground is a full replacement of the former play equipment and meets current accessibility and safety guidelines.
The MPRB plans to add several new trees around the playground and other areas of the park this fall and in the spring of 2015.
The concept plan for the new playground was developed with public input provided through three community meetings and an on-line survey. STAWNO helped publicize the three public meetings to plan the playground improvements. This project is funded with $200,000 from the MPRB Neighborhood Park Capital Improvement Program.
Dickman Park is a 2.11 acre neighborhood park located at 636 2nd St. NE, in Minneapolis. Other amenities in the park include a wading pool, restrooms, basketball court, picnic area and an open field for play.
Contact
Questions from the Media:
Dawn Sommers, Communications & Marketing Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6407 / Cell: 612-221-9155
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
Questions from the Public:
Kate Lamers, Project Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-499-0260
klamers@minneapolisparks.org