New Playground at Orange Park Town Hall

Reasons to move to ORANGE PARK – After many months of arranging for donations to pay the tab, a few weeks to construct the new park, and bad weather plaguing the dedication ceremony, Tasha Hyder was finally able to dedicate and open the new Inclusive Playground at Orange Park Town Hall.

"It’s easy (to express my feelings), I’m excited. I’m just glad that we finally have something that caters to children and adults of all abilities," said Hyder, who serves as events and recreation coordinator for the Town of Orange Park.

With balloons and hot dogs and pizza, the new park opened March 21 from page 1

children lining up waiting to test out new turf.

"Oh, my kids have been asking me all week if it was ready to be played on," said Tamara Simmons, Orange Park resident and mother of five. "We come to the park weekly. We’re really looking forward to playing here."

The new park includes a double slide, a swing set, spin chairs and will have a sandbox added once the borders and sand are delivered.

The park is completely handicap-accessible and was designed to accommodate people of many handicaps from the wheelchair bound to those suffering from autism.

Approximately $24,000 of the $54,000 spent on the project were spent solely on the surface for the main playground area. It is a spongy green surface which cushions any contact with the ground. Also, as opposed to a sand based surface, wheelchairs can easily traverse the main playground area.

"My children just asked, where’s all the sand? I’m not going to get sand in my shoes now," said an obviously happy Simmons.

Former Vice Mayor Marge Hutton served as the master of ceremonies for the dedication and spoke of the efforts that Hyder put forth to make this dream become a reality. It all started one day when Hyder looked out of her office window and saw the old playground. Hyder saw a need, identified the need and then worked to bring a new, more accessible play area to Orange Park.

"Over a year ago she [Hyder] just saw a need and got to work on it. She did an endless job of asking for donations from local corporations and from local families too," Hutton said. "She is a wonderful, vibrant young woman and we’re very fortunate to have her in the town."

Hyder was able to get donations from businesses such as the Orange Park Medical Center and Walmart, from community organizations such as the Moosehaven and the NFL Play 60 program and a number of local families as well. The park was paid for with 100 percent donated money, not one taxpayer dollar went into the project. The involvement of the community shows the special spirit found in the citizens of Orange Park.

"The corporations and the community that live here really do care about the town. I think this is a nice signature of the hometown feel that we all want," Hutton said.

The new inclusive playground at Orange Park Town Hall is handicap-accessible and was funded entirely with private donations.