All-abilities playground being installed at H-B Park

Installation of the new all-abilities playground equipment at Hedges-Boyer Park is underway, and the project is about two weeks ahead of schedule. Tiffin Parks and Recreation Director Bryce Kuhn is planning a September opening with a cookout and party in the park. The $716,254 project is being funded by city American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds, part of the federal money set aside to support public health after the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, employees of Schunk Excavating and Trucking, installers for DWA Recreation playground construction, are working on placing the new playground equipment aimed at the 2-5 age group in a section of the 10,000-square-foot area. The next section will be aimed at older kids ages 5-12, he said. In all cases, the equipment is made in such a way that it's accessible by people with or without disabilities. In addition to modified version of familiar equipment such as a merry-go-round, climbing bars and the like, the area is to be fitted with a 33-foot zip track, a "communications board" and swings that allow anyone to use them, including Expressions swings that allow a parent or other person to swing a baby from in front and see his or her expressions. "The shaded picnic shelter area is to follow in about two weeks, depending on the weather," Kuhn said. After that, he said benches will be added and sidewalks will be poured. In a few weeks, another company will install the poured-rubber base. The rubber is thicker in some areas than in others, he said, depending on the amount of protection required. "The higher the structure, the thicker the surface is going to be," he said. Kuhn said the inclusive playground has been his goal since 2018 when he first saw plans for one. He said he hopes to give the playground a distinctive name in the future. "We want to make it a destination if you will," he said. "I think this is a huge benefit, not only to the city but to the county. It's something that's been needed for years, and using the (ARPA) funds makes sense." The playground – along with the inclusive playground at the Opportunity Center opening Aug. 24 – really make Seneca County a destination for people who want to allow their children access to all-abilities play. "The inclusive piece has been a market we haven't captured within our parks," Kuhn said. The construction ties in with the city's trails connectivity project because the entire package makes recreation in Tiffin accessible to everyone. "It's another huge asset," he said. Kuhn said the committee chose Hedges-Boyer Park for the inclusive playground because it's the center of the park system, and already has trails running through it that connect with the rest of the city. Rock Creek Trail connects the downtown area to the park without using city streets, and the park offers a network of trails accessible to everyone – walking, biking, riding in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. Because voters have approved a levy for road and bridge maintenance during the last few years, he said about $400,000 was able to be allocated to other city improvement projects. "The road and bridge levy frees up money that would have gone for the roads," he said. "In the long run, it's actually helping multiple parts of the city." In turn, Kuhn said excellent recreational activities make Tiffin and Seneca County a destination that draw in people from other parts of the state and region. "It's not a benefit just to the city of Tiffin, but to the county as well," he said. "Families from surrounding counties and from the rest of the state can come in and utilize this. It's going to be a top-notch inclusive play center." When the local area draws in visitors, he said the local economy is helped when they spend money buying meals at local restaurants or taking some time to go shopping. Kuhn said the playground is the current step in the recreation department's plans to improve all of the parks. The all-abilities playground is the fifth new play structure installed during his eight years as director, he said. The most recent was new playground equipment and a paved walking trail at Nature Trails Park earlier this summer. Future plans for that park include a deck overlooking the Sandusky River and improved access to the river for canoes and kayaks. The trails connectivity project improves access via walking or riding bikes. Last winter, he said the recreation department worked on clearing invasive species and vegetation overgrowth along Rock Creek at Hedges-Boyer Park. This year, he said he has seen people fishing and playing in the creek. "I just want everybody to be able to enjoy the great outdoors in Seneca County," Kuhn said.