Elizabethtown residents have a new place to play, and it's open for everyone.

The playground at Community Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 31 at Elizabethtown Community Park, 1 Ken Lane.

Hundreds of community members and project partners turned out to celebrate the new space, said Rebecca Denlinger, borough manager. "There were likely a few hundred people out and about on the playground after we cut the ribbon and allowed everyone to race on the playground to find their favorite piece of equipment," she stated. "And we got a lot of thumbs up from kids and families as they left at the end of the evening, all promising to come back and play again soon."

The playground has truly been a community effort, she noted, adding that plans began at the start of last year to replace the 30-year-old Fun Fort that closed on the site in November of 2022. "We engaged the community with a survey, through which nearly 500 people shared their thoughts and hopes for the design of the new playground," Denlinger stated. "Staff and our amazing consultants helped make the community's wishes come to life."

Features of the new playground include opportunities for imaginative play and sensory experiences. A nature-inspired design highlights a vibrant color palette that complements the natural surroundings of the park. A poured-in rubber surface provides a smooth and safe surface for people of all ages, and inclusive play elements can be found throughout the playground.

"Key components featuring back and core supports, such as the bucket swing, seesaw and spinner, are a testament to our commitment to inclusivity," Denlinger shared. "These elements provide not only fun but also benefits for all children, regardless of their mobility abilities."

A communication board fosters interaction between speaking and non-speaking children as well, she said, adding, "It serves as a means to support and enhance communication, ensuring that every child's voice is heard and understood."

Denlinger noted that the project would not be possible without the support of community members, consultants and borough staff members. The consultant team included Lancaster Civil Engineering Company, YSM Landscape Architects, General Recreation Inc. and Play for All Consulting.

"And a heartfelt acknowledgment goes to all contractors, subcontractors and professionals involved, including the primary contractor, Willow Playworks, who put their years of experience with playground installation across the United States to work right here in Elizabethtown," she stated, acknowledging additional partners B.M. Dietrich Landscape Architecture, Knisely Excavating, B.R. Kreider & Son, Hess Ornamental Iron and Smash My Trash.

Denlinger also noted that two borough staff members in particular - assistant borough manager Ann Roda and public works director Jeff Kinsey - deserve special recognition for their leadership and project management. "They went above and beyond in their efforts to bring this playground from wishes and concept through planning, construction and now play," she said.

She added that the community's help is still being sought to finalize a name for the new playground. "We are currently referring to it simply as 'the playground at Community Park,'" she said. "The borough is hoping that with opening the playground, families will be inspired by playing there to help us give it a proper name in the coming months."